Opinion ID: 65023
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Hearn's arrest

Text: In March 2007, officers of the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office received information from two confidential informants that Hearn and Brad Blanton were selling methamphetamine from room 1711 of the El Dorado Casino Hotel. The second informant agreed to wear an audio transmitter and participate in an undercover purchase from the two suspects. [1] The officers set up peephole surveillance of the suspects' room from the room directly across the hall, room 1710. After furnishing the informant with cash to make the purchase, the officers waited with the informant in the hotel parking lot while she attempted to make phone contact with the suspects. While waiting, Blanton entered the parking garage and the informant identified him to the officers. The observing officers in room 1710 saw Blanton enter room 1711. The informant eventually made phone contact with Hearn and proceeded to room 1711, purchasing twelve grams of methamphetamine from the two suspects. After leaving the room, the informant told the officers that she saw approximately one pound of methamphetamine in the room and that, in addition to Hearn, another person, later identified as Blanton, also remained in the room. Following this conversation, one of the officers began drafting an application for a search warrant of room 1711 based on the information learned during the undercover purchase. While working on the warrant application, the officers continued their peephole surveillance of room 1711. At some point, Hearn exited the room and proceeded down the hall toward the vending machine; three of the observing officers followed close behind. When Hearn reached the vending machine, the officers arrested him. There was no evidence that Hearn was attempting to flee or posed a threat to the observing officers. Although the officers had yet to obtain a warrant, they feared that Blanton would become suspicious after Hearn failed to return from the vending machine, causing him to possibly dispose of the drugs or arm himself for a confrontation. Accordingly, the officers attempted to enter room 1711 with a key provided to them by hotel management. After the key failed to open the room, the officers asked for and obtained Hearn's key. The officers then entered room 1711 and proceeded to arrest Blanton, who was sitting in a chair. According to the officers, they seized evidence only in plain view and did not otherwise search the room until obtaining a warrant.