Opinion ID: 222669
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Custodial Statements

Text: Because the underlying facts are amply set forth in Plugh I, we rehearse them here only as necessary to facilitate this discussion: Defendant Plugh initially came to the attention of FBI agents in July 2005 during the course of an investigation into child pornography possession and online trafficking. At that time, agents questioned Plugh and, with his consent, obtained from him a personal computer to be searched. That search uncovered evidence of child pornography. On September 28, 2005, Plugh was arrested at his father's home in Wayland, New York. Plugh I, 576 F.3d at 137. Upon placing Plugh in handcuffs, the agents advised Plugh of his Miranda rights, see Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966), and then asked him to sign a waiver-of-rights form. That form, prominently labeled YOUR RIGHTS, contained the following: Before we ask you any questions, you must understand your rights. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions. You have the right to have a lawyer with you during questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish. If you decide to answer questions now without a lawyer present, you have the right to stop answering at any time. WAIVER OF RIGHTS I have read this statement of my rights and I understand what my rights are. At this time, I am willing to answer questions without a lawyer present. [Signature Line] Plugh, 522 F.Supp.2d at 486-87. Plugh, who c[an] read and write, id. at 488, told the agents that he understood his rights, adding that he had previously worked in law enforcement as a state corrections officer, but he declined to sign the waiver on the grounds that I am not sure if I should be talking to you and I don't know if I need a lawyer, Plugh I, 576 F.3d at 138 (quoting Plugh, 522 F.Supp.2d at 487). Accordingly, the agent wrote refused to sign on the waiver form and placed Plugh in a car for transport to the FBI field office in Rochester. Id. During the one-hour-and-fifteen minute drive to the FBI office in Rochester, Plugh repeatedly asked the agents for advice on what to do. Id. While the agents made clear they would not discuss the case further with him at that time, they stated that should he wish to cooperate and answer questions, they would relay any such cooperation to the U.S. Attorney's Office handling the prosecution. No further relevant discussion took place for the remainder of the drive. Id. Once at the FBI office in Rochester, the agents placed Plugh in a back interview room and informed him that he was about to be turned over to the U.S. Marshals for booking. They added, however, that [i]f he wanted to make any statements this was the point at which he should do so. Id. (alteration in original). Plugh then affirmatively indicated that he wished to make statements, and the agents re-advised him of his Miranda rights. At no point did Plugh indicate that he wished to consult with an attorney. Id. As the district court concluded in findings of fact which are not disputed before this Court, Plugh was calm and cooperative. No threats or promises were made to the defendant to get him to talk to the police. Plugh, 522 F.Supp.2d at 488. Plugh then signed a waiver-of-rights form and proceeded to make the series of inculpatory statements at issue on appeal. Id.