Opinion ID: 146972
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Search Warrant and Arrest

Text: In the fall of 2005, investigators with the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force (“TCNTF”) began investigating Defendant Johnson for drug trafficking. Using a confidential informant (“CI”), later identified as Coby Taylor, investigators conducted three controlled buys from Johnson on November 20, 2005, November 22, 2005 and December 9, 2005. Each time, Taylor purchased crack cocaine and cocaine powder from Johnson near Johnson’s trailer home at 15 Johnson Drive while under surveillance and being recorded. Warrants for Johnson’s arrest were issued based on the controlled buys. Johnson, however, was not arrested until October 2007, when investigators searched Johnson’s trailer home at 15 Johnson Drive. The affidavit for the search 2 warrant indicated that a CI reported seeing Johnson in possession of crack cocaine in his residence within the last 48 hours. The search of Johnson’s trailer revealed, inter alia, a shotgun and ammunition, a video camera surveillance system, 41 grams of marijuana and $4,540 in cash. The search of another trailer at 46 Johnson Drive, owned by Johnson’s sister-in-law, Contessa Ford, revealed, inter alia, a rifle and ammunition, a set of scales, plastic bags with drug residue, 21.2 grams of crack cocaine and 9.2 grams of powder cocaine. Johnson was arrested and read his Miranda rights. Johnson later confessed to possessing the drugs found in both trailers and the shotgun and signed a written confession.