Opinion ID: 2566017
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Issue 2. Was there probable cause for the warrant's authorization to search for documents and paraphernalia related to methamphetamine dealing?

Text: Maddox also contends the Court of Appeals erred in holding that redetermination of probable cause was not necessary in this case because the warrant's authorization to search for evidence of methamphetamine dealing was unaffected by Maddox's statement that he currently had no methamphetamine to sell. Maddox argues that the warrant should not have authorized a search for evidence of methamphetamine dealing because the informant did not claim to have seen methamphetamine (except what he was purchasing) or any drug dealing paraphernalia while in the Maddox residence during the controlled buy. We disagree and affirm the Court of Appeals that there was probable cause to search for evidence of methamphetamine dealing. The issuing magistrate's determination of probable cause is reviewed for abuse of discretion and is given great deference by the reviewing court. State v. Clark, 143 Wash.2d 731, 748, 24 P.3d 1006 (2001). All doubts are resolved in favor of the warrant's validity. State v. Kalakosky, 121 Wash.2d 525, 531, 852 P.2d 1064 (1993). Probable cause is established if the affidavit sets forth sufficient facts to lead a reasonable person to conclude there is a probability that the defendant is involved in criminal activity and that evidence of the criminal activity can be found at the place to be searched. State v. Thein, 138 Wash.2d 133, 140, 977 P.2d 582 (1999). In determining probable cause, the magistrate makes a practical, commonsense decision, taking into account all the circumstances set forth in the affidavit and drawing commonsense inferences. Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 238, 103 S.Ct. 2317, 76 L.Ed.2d 527 (1983). Probable cause requires a probability of criminal activity, not a prima facie showing of criminal activity. Gates, 462 U.S. at 238, 103 S.Ct. 2317; State v. Seagull, 95 Wash.2d 898, 907, 632 P.2d 44 (1981). The facts of the present case are similar to those of United States v. Rankin, 261 F.3d 735 (8th Cir.2001). In Rankin, the police learned from a confidential informant that the defendant was selling crack cocaine from his residence and that the defendant possessed paraphernalia used in drug trafficking. The police obtained a warrant but did not execute it until nine days later, after learning that the defendant had told the informant that most of the crack cocaine had been moved out of the residence. The defendant argued that this information rendered the probable cause determination stale. The court disagreed, noting that even if the warrant had been stale as to the cocaine, the residence could lawfully be searched under the warrant for paraphernalia. The court concluded that even in light of the additional information, a reasonable person would suspect that items relating to the distribution of crack cocaine would be found at the residence. Rankin, 261 F.3d at 739. Similarly, in this case, a reasonable person could infer from the facts and circumstances set forth in the affidavit that evidence of methamphetamine dealing remained at Maddox's home even if he was temporarily out of the drug itself. The warrant authorized a search for evidence of methamphetamine dealing as well as methamphetamine itself. The warrant included authorization to search for nonsaleable residue, scales, baggies, customer lists and accounts, and currency. The likelihood that scales, baggies, customer lists, and other evidence of methamphetamine dealing would be found at Maddox's home was not negated by Maddox's statement that he did not have methamphetamine to sell to the informant. Maddox argues no factual nexus exists here because during the controlled buys the informant did not see scales, baggies, and other paraphernalia inside Maddox's home. However, the magistrate may infer the existence of evidence from the facts and circumstances provided in the affidavit. As we have often stated, the affidavit is not required to establish a prima facie case of guilt, but rather a likelihood that evidence of criminal activity will be found. State v. Patterson, 83 Wash.2d 49, 55, 515 P.2d 496 (1973). Here, there were ample facts in the affidavit from which a magistrate could infer the likely presence of drug dealing paraphernalia. The affidavit in support of the search warrant indicates the informant had known Maddox for five years and had been purchasing methamphetamine from him for four years. The informant had purchased methamphetamine from Maddox at least 35 times in various quantities, up to four ounces of methamphetamine at a time. The affidavit details the controlled buy from Maddox at Maddox's home on September 15, 2000, just three days prior to the warrant's issuance. The affidavit also includes Maddox's statement that he might have more to sell if the informant returned with cash. In addition, the affidavit contained Detective Parsons' recitation of her training and experience in investigating drug crimes with the task force. The experience and expertise of an officer can be taken into account in determining whether probable cause has been established. State v. Remboldt, 64 Wash.App. 505, 510, 827 P.2d 282 (1992); United States v. Ocampo, 937 F.2d 485 (9th Cir.1991) (magistrate properly considers officer's training and experience in totality of circumstances establishing probable cause). In her affidavit, Detective Parsons stated that she learned from her experience that dealers use baggies and scales in packaging controlled substances for distribution and that they generally maintain records of their drug business. While generalizations regarding common habits of drug dealers, standing alone, cannot establish probable cause, such generalizations may support probable cause where a factual nexus supported by specific facts is also provided and where the generalizations are based on the affiant's experience. Thein, 138 Wash.2d at 148, 977 P.2d 582. In this case, the affidavit recounted the controlled buy, which provided a factual nexus between Maddox's drug dealing and his home, along with specific facts regarding Maddox's long history as a drug dealer. In addition, Parsons' general statements about the types of drug dealing paraphernalia were based on her training and her experience in investigating over 230 drug cases. Therefore, the magistrate issuing the warrant appropriately considered Detective Parsons' statements. The affidavit also recited Maddox's criminal history, including a felony conviction two years earlier for possession and delivery of a controlled substance. Prior convictions of a suspect may be used in determining probable cause, particularly when a prior conviction is for a crime of the same general nature. Clark, 143 Wash.2d at 749, 24 P.3d 1006; see also State v. Stone, 56 Wash.App. 153, 158, 782 P.2d 1093 (1989). Maddox's criminal history supported the issuing magistrate's determination of probable cause. Furthermore, the probable cause to search for drug paraphernalia was not affected by Maddox's statement to the informant that Maddox was out of drugs temporarily. On the contrary, the statement that he was temporarily out of drugs, but would soon receive more drugs to sell, reinforced the probability that Maddox was engaged in the ongoing activity of drug dealing. Rather than negating probable cause as to evidence of drug dealing paraphernalia, the statement enhanced the probable cause determination as to those items. There are ample facts from which the magistrate could infer that paraphernalia used in the sale and distribution of methamphetamine would be found at Maddox's home. Common sense is the ultimate yardstick of probable cause. Patterson, 83 Wash.2d at 55, 515 P.2d 496. A commonsense evaluation of the facts in the affidavit indicates that Maddox was involved in ongoing sales of methamphetamine and that evidence of that dealing would probably be found there. We conclude that the magistrate did not abuse his discretion in issuing the search warrant. There was probable cause to believe that Maddox had methamphetamine and paraphernalia at his house on September 18 when the warrant was issued. We further hold that probable cause as to the paraphernalia and currency authorized by the warrant was not affected by Maddox's statement negating probable cause as to methamphetamine.