Opinion ID: 886781
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Informant.

Text: ¶ 28 The State argues there was no need for law enforcement to corroborate the informant's statements because her information was based on firsthand knowledge, and she admitted to several instances of criminal activity, specifically, illegally transporting explosives and using and possessing methamphetamine. The State asserts further, that while no corroboration was necessary, the officers did confirm many of her allegations anyway. ¶ 29 Meyer concedes an informant who admits to criminal activity alleviates the need for corroboration. State v. Adams (1997), 284 Mont. 25, 34, 943 P.2d 955, 960. However, Meyer contends the informant was not guilty of the crime of transporting explosives and thus corroboration was necessary. To support this argument, Meyer argues that evidence of unlawful purpose is necessary to establish the offense of illegal possession of explosives was committed. ¶ 30 Meyer next asserts the informant's statements were based on hearsay and thus needed to be corroborated. Meyer also contends the informant's admission to using and possessing methamphetamine is not related to the alleged underlying offense asserted in the search warrant and is therefore not a sufficient admission against interest as to negate the need for corroboration. ¶ 31 Independent corroboration is not required for a reliable informant whose identity is known to law enforcement and whose information is not based on hearsay. Reesman, ¶¶ 28-31. An informant who gives an unequivocal admission against interest is deemed reliable without further corroboration. Reesman, ¶ 33. A statement against interest is defined as a statement which was at the time of its making so far contrary to the declarant's pecuniary or proprietary interest, or so far tended to subject the declarant to civil or criminal liability ... that a reasonable person in the declarant's position would not have made the statement unless the declarant believed it to be true. Rule 804(b)(3), M.R.Evid. ¶ 32 In this case, Detective McCarvel knew the informant's identity, including her address, telephone number, social security number, and date of birth. Further, the physical description she gave Detective McCarvel of the suspected C4 was based on her personal observation. She witnessed Jeanna Speed deliver the material to the Defendant's house. Thus, the informant was a known informant whose statements were based on firsthand knowledge. Further, the informant admitted to transporting an illegal explosive, an act we can assume she reasonably believed would subject her to criminal liability because she felt Meyer's possession of the material was worthy of reporting in the first place. Thus, the informant's admission to transporting the alleged explosive was an unequivocal statement against interest, which renders her statements reliable and negates the need for corroboration. ¶ 33 We hold the informant's statements to Detective McCarvel did not need to be corroborated because her identity was known, the relevant statements made to McCarvel were based on firsthand knowledge, and her unequivocal statements against interest qualified her as a reliable informant. ¶ 34 We decline to discuss whether admissions regarding offenses unrelated to the underlying offense of the defendant may be classified as an admission against interest. Further, because we conclude no corroboration was necessary, we will not discuss the merits of the corroboration efforts attempted by McCarvel. ¶ 35 In sum, we hold the District Court correctly concluded the search warrant was supported by probable cause and, therefore, properly denied Meyer's motion to suppress. ¶ 36 Affirmed. W. WILLIAM LEAPHART, JOHN WARNER, JIM RICE and JAMES C. NELSON, JJ., concur.