Court Opinion

ID: 4687914
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-05-18 19:02:48.590662+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:04:44.592654
License: Public Domain

Filed 4/26/21; certified for publication 5/18/21 (order attached)

                 IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
                             THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                     (Sacramento)
                                          ----

    THE PEOPLE,                                                              C090220

                   Plaintiff and Respondent,                        (Super. Ct. No. 19FE000327)

          v.

    JEMONDRE DIONTE MOORE,

                   Defendant and Appellant.

         Pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, defendant Jemondre Dionte Moore
entered a plea of no contest to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
(Pen. Code, § 29800)1 and admitted he was previously convicted of a strike offense
within the meaning of the three strikes law (§§ 667, subds. (b)-(i), 1170.12) and served a
prior prison term (§ 667.5, subd. (b)). The remaining count, charging defendant with
possession of marijuana for sale, and additional enhancement allegations were dismissed.
Defendant was sentenced to serve five years in state prison.
         Prior to entering into the plea, the trial court denied defendant’s motion to
suppress evidence found during a search of defendant’s backpack, which he left on the

1        Undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.

                                                           1
front passenger’s side floorboard of a friend’s Jeep. The backpack was searched during a
search of the Jeep pursuant to the automobile exception to the warrant requirement. The
trial court concluded this exception authorized the search because the officer who
conducted the search had probable cause to believe the Jeep contained an unlawful
amount of marijuana. Defendant challenges this conclusion in this appeal. The Attorney
General, in addition to arguing the search was lawful under the automobile exception,
argues defendant abandoned the backpack and therefore divested himself of any privacy
interest therein. We conclude the search was reasonable under the automobile exception
to the warrant requirement and affirm the judgment on that basis.2
                                           FACTS
       Sergeant Andy Hall of the Sacramento Police Department observed a Jeep SUV
parked on a curb near 24th Street Bypass Park in the Meadowview neighborhood in
Sacramento. Sergeant Hall observed defendant leaning into the open front passenger
door of the Jeep. When Hall parked his patrol unit behind the Jeep, defendant walked
away to the middle of the park.
       Sergeant Hall approached the individual sitting in the driver’s seat, Brian Bennett,
and engaged him in conversation. When Hall reached the Jeep, Bennett opened the
driver’s side door and a “strong” smell of “fresh marijuana” escaped from the vehicle.
Bennett appeared nervous. Hall asked Bennett if there was any marijuana in the car.
Bennett said there was not. He then showed the sergeant an “empty glass mason jar that
looked like it had marijuana residue in it” and claimed there had been marijuana in the
car, which he had recently smoked. When asked if there was anything illegal in the Jeep,

2       This conclusion makes it unnecessary to address the Attorney General’s
alternative argument concerning abandonment. We express no opinion on the matter.
We also directed the parties to address in supplemental letter briefs the related issue of
whether or not defendant has standing to challenge the search of his friend’s Jeep. In
their submissions, the parties agree the standing issue is forfeited for failure of the People
to raise the issue below. Without deciding the matter, we accept the Attorney General’s
concession regarding forfeiture.

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Bennett responded, “[n]ot that I know of.” Hall also asked Bennett about a backpack that
was on the front passenger floorboard. Bennett responded that his friend had left it in the
Jeep. During Hall’s interaction with Bennett, the sergeant observed defendant watching
from a gazebo in the park.
       Based on his observations and the odor of fresh marijuana, Hall decided to search
the Jeep for an unlawful amount of marijuana and detained Bennett in his patrol car as he
did so. When Hall picked up the backpack from the front passenger floorboard,
defendant approached and claimed the backpack as his property. The sergeant informed
defendant that he was going to conduct a probable cause search of the backpack.
Defendant responded that a probable cause search “didn’t have anything to do with his
property, and he did not want [Hall] to search the backpack.” Hall asked defendant for
his name. Defendant answered, “are you serious?” Defendant then turned and walked
away towards a parked Mercedes with another individual in the driver’s seat. Defendant
got into the parked Mercedes, which drove away. Hall radioed for another unit to
intercept the Mercedes.
       Sergeant Hall opened the backpack and found a jar containing approximately one-
quarter pound of marijuana. He also found a loaded .40-caliber handgun, digital scales,
“narcotic[] packaging” materials, a cell phone, and a wired charger for an ankle monitor.
Defendant was apprehended from within the Mercedes by another police unit.
                                      DISCUSSION
                                           I
          The Trial Court Properly Denied Defendant’s Suppression Motion
       Defendant contends the totality of the circumstances failed to supply Sergeant Hall
with “probable cause to believe there was an illegal amount of marijuana in the vehicle,
as opposed to the presence of a legal amount.” We disagree.
                                            A.
                                      Relevant Law
       In reviewing a trial court’s decision to grant a motion to suppress evidence, we
rely on the trial court’s express and implied factual findings, provided they are supported

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by substantial evidence, to independently determine whether the search was
constitutional. (See People v. Brown (2015) 61 Cal. 4th 968, 975.) “Thus, while we
ultimately exercise our independent judgment to determine the constitutional propriety of
a search or seizure, we do so within the context of historical facts determined by the trial
court.” (People v. Tully (2012) 54 Cal. 4th 952, 979.) It is the trial court’s role to
evaluate witness credibility, resolve conflicts in the testimony, weigh the evidence, and
draw factual inferences. (Ibid.) We review those factual findings under the deferential
substantial evidence standard, considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the
trial court’s order. (Ibid.)
       The Fourth Amendment guarantees the right to be free from unreasonable searches
and seizures. (U.S. Const., 4th Amend.) Warrantless searches are “per se unreasonable
. . . subject only to a few specifically established and well-delineated exceptions.” (Katz
v. United States (1967) 389 U.S. 347, 357 [19 L. Ed. 2d 576, 585], fns. omitted; People v.
Superior Court (Walker) (2006) 143 Cal. App. 4th 1183, 1196.) One such exception to the
warrant requirement is the automobile exception, which allows for warrantless searches
of automobiles where an officer has probable cause to believe the vehicle contains
contraband or evidence of a crime. (Carroll v. United States (1925) 267 U.S. 132, 155-
156 [69 L. Ed. 543, 552]; see also People v. Evans (2011) 200 Cal. App. 4th 735, 753.)
Probable cause to search exists “where the known facts and circumstances are sufficient
to warrant a [person] of reasonable prudence in the belief that contraband or evidence of
a crime will be found.” (Ornelas v. United States (1996) 517 U.S. 690, 696 [134 L. Ed. 2d
911, 918].) An officer who has probable cause to search pursuant to the automobile
exception may then conduct a probing search of all “compartments and containers within
the vehicle whose contents are not in plain view.” (United States v. Ross (1982) 456 U.S.
798, 800 [72 L. Ed. 2d 572, 578].)
       A warrantless automobile search “is not unreasonable if based on facts that would
justify the issuance of a warrant, even though a warrant has not actually been obtained.”
(United States v. Ross, supra, 456 U.S. at p. 809, fn. omitted.) Thus, “if the search and
seizure without a warrant are made upon probable cause, that is, upon a belief, reasonably

                                              4
arising out of circumstances known to the seizing officer, that an automobile or other
vehicle contains that which by law is subject to seizure and destruction, the search and
seizure are valid.” (Carroll v. United States, supra, 267 U.S. at p. 149.)
       As the United Stated Supreme Court has noted, “probable cause is a fluid concept
-- turning on the assessment of probabilities in particular factual contexts -- not readily,
or even usefully, reduced to a neat set of legal rules.” (Illinois v. Gates (1983) 462 U.S.
213, 232 [76 L. Ed. 2d 527, 544].) Further, “[a]n officer is entitled to rely on his [or her]
training and experience in drawing inferences from the facts he [or she] observes, but
those inferences must also ‘be grounded in objective facts and be capable of rational
explanation.’ ” (United States v. Lopez-Soto (9th Cir. 2000) 205 F.3d 1101, 1105,
quoting United States v. Michael R. (9th Cir. 1996) 90 F.3d 340.) When considering the
validity of the evidence, it is to be analyzed “ ‘as understood by those versed in the field
of law enforcement.’ ” (Illinois, at p. 232, quoting United States v. Cortez (1981) 449
U.S. 411, 418 [66 L. Ed. 2d 621, 629].) “The principal components of a determination of
. . . probable cause will be the events which occurred leading up to the stop or search, and
then the decision whether these historical facts, viewed from the standpoint of an
objectively reasonable police officer, amount . . . to probable cause.” (Ornelas v. United
States, supra, 517 U.S. at p. 696.) As such, we consider the totality of the circumstances,
and analyze these facts as would a reasonable police officer, in assessing the officer’s
probable cause, rather than looking to singular facts in a vacuum. (See Illinois, at
pp. 230-231, 238.)
                                              B.
                 Sergeant Hall Had Probable Cause to Search the Jeep
       Sergeant Hall’s testimony established: (1) the park was a high-crime area; (2)
defendant was leaning into the open passenger’s side door of a parked Jeep (based on
Hall’s training and experience he believed this could be a hand-to-hand drug transaction);
(3) upon seeing Hall, defendant walked away from the Jeep; (4) when Hall approached
the vehicle, Bennett opened the driver’s side door and there was a strong smell of fresh
marijuana; (5) Bennett appeared to be nervous; (6) when asked about the smell of fresh

                                              5
marijuana, Bennett claimed the smell came from him because he had recently smoked;
(7) Bennett also indicated that the odor might be from an empty mason jar with what
appeared to be marijuana residue inside; and (8) when asked if there were illegal items in
the Jeep, Bennett responded “[n]ot that I know of,” arousing further suspicion.
       Sergeant Hall testified about his training and experience, including his 12 years of
experience as a peace officer, and his current position as a sergeant supervising the South
Sacramento gang enforcement team. He participated in approximately one year of
academy training which included instruction from numerous drug experts. Hall also
testified to his extensive experience in the field including a role as supervisor of the
South Sacramento marijuana abatement team in which he investigated illegal indoor
marijuana growing operations. He also testified to encountering marijuana for sales or
simple possession hundreds of times throughout his career. Based on this training and
experience, Hall believed that Bennett’s claim, that the strong smell of fresh marijuana
was actually the smell of recently burnt marijuana or was emanating from an empty
mason jar with marijuana residue, was not believable. As previously stated, Hall was
“entitled to rely on his training and experience in drawing inferences from the facts he
observe[d]” throughout his encounter with Bennett. (United States v. Lopez-Soto, supra,
205 F.3d at p. 1105.)
       We conclude the following facts, together with Sergeant Hall’s training and
experience, established probable cause. We first note Hall’s observations when he
arrived at the Jeep, parked in a high-crime area with defendant leaning into the passenger
side of the Jeep, suggested to the officer that there was a potential drug transaction
occurring in the Jeep. Defendant leaving the Jeep when the officer approached only
added to Hall’s level of suspicion. While we agree with defendant’s assessment that
these facts alone would not have supplied the officer with probable cause to search the
Jeep for contraband, they are relevant circumstances that must be considered along with
what came next, specifically the strong odor of fresh marijuana emanating from the Jeep
when Hall reached the driver’s side and began his encounter with Bennett, coupled with
Bennett’s implausible explanation for that smell. Stated simply, a reasonable officer with

                                              6
Hall’s training and experience could believe Bennett lied when he claimed that residual
smoke and an empty mason jar containing marijuana residue was the source of the strong
odor of fresh marijuana. Bennett was also acting nervously. And when asked whether
there was anything illegal in the Jeep, he responded equivocally “[n]ot that I know of.”
Based on Hall’s substantial experience interacting with suspects in the field, this kind of
answer to a specific question was also suspicious. Given Bennett’s behavior and
responses, together with the strong odor of fresh marijuana, a reasonable officer in Hall’s
position could believe the Jeep contained an amount of marijuana prohibited by law.
       Defendant attempts to rebut this conclusion by first presenting each factor in the
probable cause analysis on an individual basis, arguing none of those factors is enough,
individually, to establish probable cause. Then defendant summarily concludes that the
same factors taken together do not establish probable cause. For the reasons that follow,
we do not accept defendant’s piecemeal approach to the probable cause analysis.
       Defendant begins by arguing because it is now legal to possess up to 28.5 grams,
or about one ounce, of marijuana, Sergeant Hall lacked probable cause to search the Jeep
based on Bennett’s admission of having recently smoked, and Bennett’s presentation of
an empty mason jar that appeared to contain marijuana residue. (Health & Saf. Code,
§ 11362.1, subd. (c).) In making this argument, defendant does not acknowledge the
highly regulated status marijuana maintains in California law. Section 11362.1,
subdivision (c) provides “[c]annabis and cannabis products involved in any way with
conduct deemed lawful by this section are not contraband nor subject to seizure, and no
conduct deemed lawful by this section shall constitute the basis for detention, search, or
arrest.” Given other statutory regulations placed on marijuana possession, however,
“section 11362.1, subdivision (c) does not apply when the totality of the circumstances
gives rise to a fair probability that an existing marijuana regulation was violated when the
search occurred.” (People v. Johnson (2020) 50 Cal. App. 5th 620, 626, citing People v.
Fews (2018) 27 Cal. App. 5th 553, 563.) Existing marijuana regulations include limits on
the amount an individual may lawfully possess. (See, e.g., Health & Saf. Code,
§ 11362.1, subd. (a) [permitting possession of up to 28.5 grams of cannabis].)

                                             7
       Defendant relies on Lee to support his argument that Bennett’s admission of
recently smoking marijuana and the empty jar containing what appeared to be marijuana
residue he showed Sergeant Hall could not generate probable cause to search Bennett’s
Jeep. (People v. Lee (2019) 40 Cal. App. 5th 853 (Lee).) In Lee, officers discovered a
small amount of marijuana on the defendant during a patsearch following a traffic stop.
(Id. at p. 857.) The appellate court affirmed the trial court’s grant of the suppression
motion, reasoning the legalization of marijuana meant courts “attach fairly minimal
significance” to its presence. (Id. at p. 861.) However, the Lee court also noted while
“possession of a small (legal) amount of marijuana does not foreclose the possibility that
[a] defendant possesses a larger (illegal) amount,” there must be “additional evidence
beyond the mere possession of a legal amount” to generate probable cause to believe the
defendant has more marijuana. (Id. at p. 862.) The Lee court determined such additional
evidence was lacking there, and thus no probable cause existed. (Id. at p. 866.)
       Defendant’s characterization of the Lee rule is correct. However, defendant fails
to answer for Lee’s critical caveat: while a lawful amount of marijuana is not, on its own,
enough to establish probable cause, such a lawful amount may establish probable cause
where coupled with other factors contributing to an officer’s reasonable belief the
defendant may be in violation of other statutory regulations of marijuana possession.
(Lee, supra, 40 Cal.App.5th at p. 862.) As the People note, Sergeant Hall articulated a
reasonable basis for his belief defendant possessed an unlawful amount of marijuana.
(See Carroll v. United States, supra, 267 U.S. at p. 149.) Hall testified to the “strong”
odor of fresh marijuana he noticed emanating from the Jeep that, in his training and
experience, he reasonably believed could not be accounted for by the empty mason jar
Bennett produced or from Bennett’s explanation that the smell was caused by the residual
traces of recently burnt marijuana. Hall specifically testified to his ability to distinguish
between the smell of burnt and raw marijuana and there is a recognized “ ‘commonsense
distinction between the smells of burnt and raw marijuana.’ ” (Robey v. Superior
Court (2013) 56 Cal. 4th 1218, 1252 (conc. opn. of Liu, J.), quoting United States v.
Downs (10th Cir. 1998) 151 F.3d 1301, 1303.)

                                              8
       Defendant notes that the sergeant testified that it was possible that the fresh smell
of marijuana was coming from the empty mason jar. Defendant concludes this fact
impermissibly conflicts with the trial court’s finding that Bennett’s statement was
“inconsistent with the personal observations of the officer.” However, Sergeant Hall
qualified his response by saying that the odor was stronger than what would be expected
from an empty mason jar with marijuana residue. Further, Hall’s observations of
Bennett’s nervous behavior and equivocal response, “[n]ot that I know,” when asked if
there was anything illegal in the Jeep contributed to his reasonable belief the vehicle
contained an unlawful amount of marijuana. Bennett’s deceptive statements concerning
the source of the odor of marijuana, coupled with these other observations, constitute the
“additional evidence” required by Lee. (Lee, supra, 40 Cal.App.5th at p. 862, italics
omitted.)
       Defendant continues by arguing that Sergeant Hall’s testimony that the area of the
encounter was a “high crime area” is insufficient by itself to establish reasonable
suspicion, let alone probable cause to search the Jeep. We recognize that California
courts have traditionally been skeptical of the high-crime factor in determining probable
cause. (People v. Aldridge (1984) 35 Cal. 3d 473, 478-479; People v. Loewen (1983) 35
Cal. 3d 117, 124; People v. Bower (1979) 24 Cal. 3d 638, 645.) However, while certainly
not enough on its own, “[t]he reputation of an area for criminal activity is an articulable
fact upon which a police officer may legitimately rely. [Citations.]” (United States v.
Rickus (3d Cir. 1984) 737 F.2d 360, 365.)
       Defendant also argues that his act of leaning into the open door of the Jeep and
walking away when Sergeant Hall parked his police cruiser and approached was not
sufficient by itself to establish probable cause. We agree. This court has held that
“[w]here an officer makes no observation of conduct objectively suggesting criminal
activity, the mere avoidance of police officers by a citizen cannot justify a detention.
[Citation.] A fortiori, the citizen’s avoidance of officers cannot justify a warrantless
search. [Citations.]” (People v. Huntsman (1984) 152 Cal. App. 3d 1073, 1091.)
However, Hall did not rely solely on this observation to either detain defendant or initiate

                                              9
a search of the Jeep. Once again, taken in isolation this factor would not support
probable cause, but Hall was justified in considering defendant’s actions among the
broader totality of circumstances, specifically Bennett’s nervous behavior and statements
inconsistent with Hall’s observations.
       Finally, defendant argues that Bennett’s nervousness and suspicious reply, “[n]ot
that I know of,” when asked if there was anything illegal in the Jeep, is insufficient by
itself to establish probable cause under the automobile exception to the warrant
requirement. Nervous, evasive behavior is undoubtedly a potentially significant factor to
be considered in determining whether probable cause (or reasonable suspicion) exists.
(Illinois v. Wardlow (2000) 528 U.S. 119, 124 [145 L. Ed. 2d 570, 576], 124; In re H.M.
(2008) 167 Cal. App. 4th 136, 144; People v. Osborne (2009) 175 Cal. App. 4th 1052,
1058, fn. 5.; People v. Evans, supra, 200 Cal.App.4th at p. 754.) Nervousness by itself,
however, does not establish probable cause. (People v. Valenzuela (1994) 28
Cal. App. 4th 817, 831; People v. Raybourn (1990) 218 Cal. App. 3d 308, 312 [“Mere
nervous, furtive, or evasive conduct in the presence of police will not justify a
detention”].) Here, there was more than mere nervousness by itself.
       Based on the totality of the circumstances, we conclude Sergeant Hall possessed
probable cause to search the Jeep for an unlawful quantity of marijuana. The encounter
occurred in a “high crime, high drug activity park.” Defendant was leaning into the open
passenger’s side door of the Jeep and walked away as Hall approached the vehicle.
Bennett opened the driver’s door and the strong smell of “fresh marijuana” emanated
from the interior of the car which was inconsistent with Bennett’s explanation that the
source of the smell was due to his recently having smoked and/or an empty mason jar
with what appeared to be marijuana residue. Based on Hall’s extensive experience and
training, he reasonably believed that Bennett was lying about the source of the smell.
Bennett was nervous, and when asked if there was anything illegal in the Jeep, he
responded “[n]ot that I know of,” which raised additional suspicion in the officer. These
are all part of the “historical facts” of the interaction which, “viewed from the standpoint
of an objectively reasonable police officer, amount[ed] . . . to probable cause.” (Ornelas

                                             10
v. United States, supra, 517 U.S. at p. 696.) Given, that Hall possessed probable cause to
search the Jeep for an unlawful quantity of marijuana, it follows that he could conduct a
probing search of all “compartments and containers within the vehicle whose contents are
not in plain view,” including defendant’s backpack. (United States v. Ross, supra, 456
U.S. at p. 800.)

                                     DISPOSITION
       The judgment is affirmed.

                                                  /s/
                                                 HOCH, J.

We concur:

 /s/
ROBIE, Acting P. J.

 /s/
MAURO, J.

                                            11
Filed 5/18/21
                              CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION

                IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
                              THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                        (Sacramento)
                                              ----

 THE PEOPLE,                                                       C090220

                  Plaintiff and Respondent,              (Super. Ct. No. 19FE000327)

          v.                                           ORDER CERTIFYING OPINION
                                                           FOR PUBLICATION
 JEMONDRE DIONTE MOORE,
                                                       [NO CHANGE IN JUDGMENT]
                  Defendant and Appellant.

      APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Sacramento County, Richard
K. Sueyoshi, Judge. Affirmed.

      William G. Holzer, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.

      Xavier Becerra, Attorney General, Lance E. Winters, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Michael P. Farrell, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Daniel B. Bernstein and
Doris A. Calandra, Deputy Attorneys General for Plaintiff and Respondent.

THE COURT:

        The opinion in the above-entitled matter filed on April 26, 2021, was not certified

                                               1
for publication in the Official Reports. For good cause it now appears that the opinion
should be published in the Official Reports and it is so ordered.

FOR THE COURT:

 /s/
ROBIE, Acting P. J.

 /s/
MAURO, J.

 /s/
HOCH, J.

                                             2