Opinion ID: 1270103
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Was SLED's corroboration a warrantless search?

Text: Appellant asserts the circuit court's analysis was faulty because the verification of the informant's tip by undercover agents was itself an illegal, warrantless search. Moreover, appellant asserts the additional 23 machines were not in plain view and must also have been discovered by a warrantless search while SLED agents were supposed to be guarding and inventorying the machines already seized. The United States Supreme Court has defined the boundaries of an undercover investigation without a warrant. In Lewis v. United States, 385 U.S. 206, 87 S.Ct. 424, 17 L.Ed.2d 312 (1966), relied upon by respondents, an undercover officer was invited into the petitioner's home on two occasions to purchase marijuana. The Court found the search did not violate the Fourth Amendment: During neither of his visits to petitioner's home did the agent see, hear, or take anything that was not contemplated, and in fact intended, by petitioner as a necessary part of his illegal business. Id. at 210, 87 S.Ct. 424. In Gouled v. United States, 255 U.S. 298, 41 S.Ct. 261, 65 L.Ed. 647 (1921), overruled on other grounds, 387 U.S. 294, 87 S.Ct. 1642, 18 L.Ed.2d 782 (1967), relied upon by appellant, a business acquaintance of the petitioner, acting under orders of federal officers, entered the petitioner's office on pretenses of making a social visit. In the petitioner's absence, he ransacked the office and seized private, incriminating papers. The Court found the search violated the Fourth Amendment. The record does not reveal the SLED officers' actions within appellant's warehouse. Without more, it cannot be determined whether the officers conducted a warrantless search. See Germain v. Nichol, 278 S.C. 508, 299 S.E.2d 335 (1983) (appellant has burden of providing the Court with a sufficient record upon which Court can make a decision). Furthermore, there is a presumption of validity with respect to the affidavit supporting the search warrant. Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154, 171, 98 S.Ct. 2674, 57 L.Ed.2d 667 (1978). Unless appellant tenders facts showing the officers conducted a warrantless search, there is no basis on which this Court can look behind a facially valid warrant. As to the January warrant, the supporting affidavit states the additional 23 machines were seen in plain view while the officers were executing the December warrant. Although the December warrant had expired by the date the January warrant was issued, that does not imply it had expired at the time the officers viewed the additional 23 machines. Accepting the veracity of the affidavit, as the magistrate was entitled to do, probable cause existed for the issuance of the January warrant.