Opinion ID: 606248
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Was there probable cause to issue a warrant to search the Whitmore residence?

Text: 30 The district court ruled that there was probable cause to issue a warrant to search the Whitmore residence. In the alternative, the district court stated that the officers' reliance on the warrant came within the good faith exception. 31 The role of this court is to determine whether the magistrate had a substantial basis upon which to find that probable cause existed to search the Whitmore residence. Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 238 (1983). A magistrate's determination of probable cause is reversed only if clearly erroneous. United States v. Bertrand, 926 F.2d 838, 841 (9th Cir.1991). A reviewing court must show[ ] deference to the issuing magistrate's determination. United States v. Hernandez, 937 F.2d 1490, 1494 (9th Cir.1991); see also United States v. Fannin, 817 F.2d 1379, 1381 (9th Cir.1987). 32 [P]robable cause is a fluid concept ... not readily, or even usefully, reduced to a neat set of legal rules, and must be determined by looking to the totality of the circumstances. Gates, 462 U.S. at 232; Fannin, 817 F.2d at 1381. Following this mandate, and properly deferring to the magistrate's determination, it is clear that the issuance of the search warrant was valid. 33 Appellants' argument is that the nexus between the information known to the magistrate and the likelihood that drugs would be found at Whitmore is too remote to support the warrant. However, [d]irect evidence that contraband or evidence is at a particular location is not essential to establish probable cause to search the location. Bertrand, 926 F.2d at 842 (quoting United States v. Angulo-Lopez, 791 F.2d 1394, 1399 (9th Cir.1986)). Instead, [t]he magistrate need only conclude that it would be reasonable to seek the evidence in the place indicated in the affidavit. United States v. Peacock, 761 F.2d 1313, 1315 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 847 (1985). Thus, probable cause exists if there is a reasonable belief that the place to be searched contains evidence of criminal activity. Further, as with determinations of reasonable suspicion, inferences drawn from the officers' experience may be considered. Bertrand, 926 F.2d at 842; Fannin, 817 F.2d at 1381 ([A] magistrate may rely on the conclusions of experienced law enforcement officers regarding where evidence of a crime is likely to be found.). 34 Here, the affidavit upon which the warrant was based detailed not only the observations of the investigating officers and the information known to them, but also explained how their experience in narcotics investigations led them to believe that evidence of drug activity existed at the Whitmore residence. Contrary to appellants' assertions, the nexus between the Whitmore residence and the information known prior to and obtained as a result of the pat-down is quite strong. As evidenced by the surveillance, officers suspected drug activity was being conducted at the Whitmore residence. They saw the red truck parked at the residence the day before the stop of that vehicle. They saw that vehicle arrive at Whitmore and then leave some time later. The officers' experience led them to believe that they were being engaged in counter-surveillance techniques. Finally, and most importantly, the cash and cocaine found on Sosa cemented their suspicions that the appellants were involved in drug activity. 35 This information alone supports a finding of probable cause. When coupled with the deference granted to the magistrate, this information forecloses appellants' challenge to the warrant. 36 IV. Did the district court err by upwardly adjusting Leon's sentence for possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug offense? 37 Appellant Leon's sentence was adjusted upward for possession of a firearm pursuant to Sentencing Guideline § 2D1.1(b)(1). This was based on the observation of an officer at the back of the Whitmore residence who saw a suspect attempt to climb out the back window with a chrome object in his hand. The ensuing search turned up a chrome handgun. 38 Leon argues that there is no evidence that he had dominion and control over the weapon. As support, Leon points to the following facts: (1) the detective did not see who was attempting to climb out of the window; (2) the detective lost sight of the individual until officers entered the house; (3) Leon was not the only person in the house; and (4) the weapon was found under the mattress of the bed--in proximity to, but not under anybody's control at the time it was found. 39 Sentencing Guideline § 2D1.1(b)(1) states that [i]f a dangerous weapon (including a firearm) was possessed, the sentence should be increased by two levels. The commentary to section 2D1.1 states that the enhancement reflects the increased danger of violence when drug traffickers possess weapons. There is an exception if it is clearly improbable that the weapon was connected with the offense. This exception is not at issue here. 40 In United States v. Restrepo, 884 F.2d 1294 (9th Cir.1989), an automatic pistol was discovered hidden between the mattress and box spring of a bed during a search of Restrepo's residence. The search also turned up drugs and drug paraphernalia. Id. at 1295. The court went on to hold that the facts supported a finding that Restrepo possessed the weapon during the commission of the offense. This ruling was based on the fact that the weapon was found in the same room as equipment used for drug distribution. Id. 41 The facts of the present case are analogous to Restrepo. Officers found the weapon in the same room as other evidence of drug activity, including receipts, utility bills, letters, and a traffic ticket all in the names of aliases used by Leon. Thus, the district court did not clearly err by finding that the weapon was possessed during the commission of the drug offense. Further, the presence of the papers in the room indicates that Leon had dominion and control over the room. As such, the district court did not clearly err by finding that Leon also had dominion and control over the gun. 42 AFFIRMED.