Court Opinion

ID: 5365
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-25 05:05:11+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:03:26.657331
License: Public Domain

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                             FIFTH CIRCUIT

                             ______________

                               No. 92-8002
                             ______________

                  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                           Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                 VERSUS

                  BRADFORD SATTERWHITE, III,

                                           Defendant-Appellant.

        __________________________________________________

           Appeal from the United States District Court
                 for the Western District of Texas
        __________________________________________________
                        (December 17, 1992)

Before GOLDBERG, SMITH, and EMILIO M. GARZA, Circuit Judges.

EMILIO M. GARZA, Circuit Judge:

      Defendant, Bradford Satterwhite, III, entered a conditional

plea of guilty to the charges of conspiracy to possess with intent

to   distribute    cocaine   base,   and     possession   with    intent   to

distribute cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1),

846 (1988).   Satterwhite raises two issues on appeal.            First, he

argues that the federal prosecution of his case violated his due

process rights.     Second, Satterwhite contends that the district

court erred in denying his motions to suppress evidence.            Finding

no reversible error, we affirm.
                                     I

     A confidential informant ("the CI") told DEA agent Gray

Hildreth that he had received information from an acquaintance that

cocaine   was    being   stored   and     manufactured   at   Satterwhite's

apartment.      The acquaintance, Jimmie Cooks, had asked the CI to

drive him to Satterwhite's apartment so that Cooks could purchase

crack cocaine.     The CI saw Cooks enter the apartment.        When Cooks

returned from the apartment, he showed the CI some crack cocaine.

Cooks also told the CI that he saw a large quantity of crack

cocaine in the apartment, and that Satterwhite was a financier of

a cocaine distribution ring, which was using the apartment to store

and manufacture cocaine.     In addition, Cooks informed the CI that

he had recently purchased at least three kilograms of cocaine, and

delivered it to Satterwhite's apartment.

                                    -2-
Agent Hildreth conveyed this information in an affidavit1 to

1
     The affidavit reads, in relevant part:

Your affiant states that the facts which establish
probable cause necessary for the issuance of a search
warrant for the described premises are as follows:

     1.   The undersigned Affiant, Andrew Gray Hildreth,
having been placed under oath, deposes and states as
follows: Affiant has worked as a Special Agent for the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration since August 21,
1986. Prior to that date Affiant worked as an officer
for the Mobile, Alabama Police Department for ten years.
Affiant has extensive experience in the investigation of
narcotics smuggling, sales, and other violations of Title
21 of the U.S. Code.

     2.   In early August 1990, your affiant along with
Austin Police Officers J.W. Thompson and Gary Duty
debriefed a cooperation individual in regards to the
narcotic trafficking from apartment #108 of the Forest
Creek Village apartments located at 1401 St. Edwards
Drive, Austin, Travis County, Texas. This cooperating
individual was arrested in July of 1990 by the Repeat
Offender Program of the Austin Police Department for
possession for cocaine and is currently on bond for that
charge.    This cooperating individual has provided
officers of the Repeat Offender Program true and accurate
information, on at least two occasions since the CI's
arrest. This information has been corroborated as being
true and correct and has subsequently led to the arrest
of individuals and the seizure of controlled substances
by the Austin Police Department on at least one occasion.
Further, this cooperating individual has provided the
names, addresses and other personal information of other
suspected narcotic traffickers corroborated by officers
to be true and correct.        In consideration of the
aforementioned facts, it is the opinion of the your
affiant and the opinion of officers in the Repeat
Offender Program that this cooperation individual is
credible and reliable.

     3.   The cooperating individual stated that on
Friday, August 3, 1990, he received information from an
acquaintance, Jimmie Cooks that apartment #108 of the
Forest Creek Village Apartments located at 1401 St.
Edwards Drive, Austin, Travis County, Texas is being used
to store and manufacture crack cocaine. Cooks requested
the cooperating individual to drive him to the above
described apartment for the purpose of obtaining crack

                          -3-
cocaine. The cooperating individual stated that he drove
Jimmie Cooks to the above named apartment and observed
Jimmie Cooks enter the apartment. Upon returning from
inside the apartment, Cooks showed the cooperating
individual a distributable amount of crack cocaine.
Cooks further told the cooperating individual that he .
. . had traveled to Galveston, Texas in the recent period
of time and brought back at least three kilograms of
cocaine and delivered the cocaine to the above described
apartment. Cooks also told the cooperating individual
that while inside the above described apartment he . . .
had observed a large quantity of crack cocaine and
identified the apartment as being a place used to
manufacture   and   distribute   crack   cocaine.     The
cooperating individual states that he was told by Jimmie
Cooks that the above described apartment is maintained
and operated by a crack cocaine distribution organization
that includes B.J. Satterwhite, a financier in the
organization.

     4.   Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal
History records indicate that Bradford Satterwhite III,
Black male born 12/26/44, aka B.J. Satterwhite, has 6
previous arrests and at least 4 convictions, including 2
convictions for possession of dangerous drugs and is
currently on State of Texas parole for dangerous drugs
until January 1994.

     . . . .

     8. A check with the City of Austin Electric Utility
Customer records indicate that the account at apartment
#108 is subscribed to by Joseph Walker with Texas DL
number 07750414 listed on the record.

     . . . .

     10. A check of the Austin Police Department
computerized offense report records show that on 1/17/88,
in offense report # 88-0012864, a burglary of a non-
residence (game arcade), Joseph Walker reported his
employer as Game World, 3101 E. 12th Street. Walker told
the reporting officer that he believes the motive for the
burglary was to obtain drugs. The report state that the
business is managed by B.J. Satterwhite. Offense report
#90-0310340, dated 1/31/90, reflects that Joseph Walker
is employed by J.B. Motors located at 4700 Loyola. The
cooperating individual advised your affiant that J.B.
Motors is owned by Jimmie Cooks. City of Austin Electric
Customer Utility records reflect that the account at 4700

                          -4-
a   magistrate,    who   subsequently    issued   a    warrant   to    search

Satterwhite's     apartment.    Upon     executing    the   warrant,   agent

Hildreth and officers of the Austin Police Department discovered

large quantities of crack cocaine, cash, and tally sheets in the

apartment.   The officers subsequently arrested Satterwhite, and

referred his case for federal prosecution. Satterwhite was charged

with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base

and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, in violation

of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 846 (1988).

      The district court denied two motions to suppress evidence

obtained from the search of the apartment.            The court found that

the affidavit supporting the search warrant contained adequate

probable cause and that the warrant was clearly valid on its face.

Pursuant to a conditional guilty plea, the district court sentenced

Satterwhite to 210 months in prison, a five-year term of supervised

release, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

      Satterwhite appeals, contending that:           (1) the absence of a

policy governing the referral of his case for federal prosecution

violated his due process rights; and (2) the district court erred

in denying his motions to suppress evidence, because the affidavit

supporting the search warrant was based on unreliable hearsay.

                                   II

      Loyola #120 is in the name of Joseph Walker with Texas DL
      number 07750414 shown on the record.

Record on Appeal, vol. 1, at 152-53.

                                   -5-
                                              A

       Satterwhite first argues that the decision to refer his case

for federal prosecution violated his due process rights because it

adversely         affected    his     sentence2      and    was    made    without    any

reviewable guidelines.              We disagree.

       We recently decided this issue in United States v. Carter, 953

F.2d 1449 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 112 S. Ct. 2980,

119 L. Ed. 2d 598 (1992).             In Carter, the defendant argued that the

decision to refer his case for federal prosecution violated his due

process rights "because it exposed him to substantially more severe

sentences        and   was    made    without       any    objective      or   reviewable

guidelines or standards."              Id. at 1462.          We concluded that "the

ultimate         decision    of    whether    or     not    to    charge   a   defendant

presumably rests with the federal prosecutor . . . [who] has

complete discretion in deciding whether or not to prosecute or what

charge to file."        Id.       "[Because] a defendant may be prosecuted and

convicted under a federal statute even after having been convicted

in a state prosecution based on the same conduct," id., we held

that       the     defendant's       claim        lacked    merit.         Accordingly,

Satterwhite's argument also lacks merit.3

   2
          In federal court, Satterwhite was sentenced to 210 months
with no time off for good behavior. See Record on Appeal, vol. 1,
at 182. He claims that had his case been referred to state court,
he probably would have received the same sentence, but with the
opportunity to reduce his time through good behavior. See Brief
for Satterwhite at 4.
       3
          Satterwhite conceded at oral argument that Carter makes
his first point of error moot.

                                             -6-
                                           B

         Satterwhite argues next that the district court erred in

refusing     to     suppress      evidence      obtained    from     searching    his

apartment.        We engage in a two-step review of a district court's

denial of a motion to suppress evidence obtained pursuant to a

warrant: (1) whether the good-faith exception4 to the exclusionary

rule applies; and (2) whether probable cause supported the warrant.

See United States v. Webster, 960 F.2d 1301, 1307 (5th Cir.), cert.

denied, ___ U.S. ___, ___ S. Ct. ___, 61 U.S.L.W.. 3285 (1992).

         However, we need not reach the probable cause issue if the

good-faith exception applies, and the case does not involve a

"novel question of law whose resolution is necessary to guide

future     action    by     law   enforcement      officers    and    magistrates."

Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 264, 103 S. Ct. 2317, 2346, 76 L.

Ed. 2d      527    (1983)    (White,   J.,      concurring);   United    States    v.

Maggitt, 778 F.2d 1029, 1033 (5th Cir. 1985) (quoting Gates), cert.

denied, 476 U.S. 1184, 106 S. Ct. 2920, 91 L. Ed. 2d. 548 (1986);

see United States v. Craig, 861 F.2d 818, 820 (5th Cir. 1988)

("Principles of judicial restraint and precedent dictate that, in

most cases, we should not reach the probable cause issue if . . .

the good-faith exception of Leon will resolve the matter.").                     This

case does not raise a novel question of law under the Fourth

Amendment.        The only question is whether, on the particular facts

of   this    case,     the    affidavit        supporting   the    search   warrant

     4
          See United States v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897, 104 S. Ct. 3405,
82 L. Ed. 2d 677 (1984).

                                          -7-
established probable cause to search the apartment.    We therefore

turn to the good-faith issue first.

     In Leon, the Supreme Court held that evidence obtained by

officers in objectively reasonable good-faith reliance upon a

search warrant is admissible, even though the affidavit on which

the warrant was based was insufficient to establish probable cause.

See Leon, 468 U.S. at 922-23, 104 S. Ct. at 3420; Craig, 861 F.2d

at 821.   This rule does not apply where the warrant is based on an

affidavit "`so lacking in indicia of probable cause as to render

official belief in its existence entirely unreasonable.'"     Leon,

468 U.S. at 923, 104 S. Ct. at 3421 (quoting Brown v. Illinois, 422

U.S. 590, 610-11, 95 S. Ct. 2254, 2265-66, 45 L. Ed. 2d 416 (1975)

(Powell, J., concurring in part)); see Craig, 861 F.2d at 821

(referring to this type of affidavit as a "bare bones" affidavit).

Satterwhite argues that the affidavit supporting the search warrant

for his apartment was a "bare bones" affidavit, which made agent

Hildreth's reliance on the warrant unreasonable.

     We review de novo the reasonableness of an officer's reliance

upon a warrant issued by a magistrate.     U.S. v. Wylie, 919 F.2d

969, 974 (5th Cir. 1990).   When a warrant is supported by more than

a "bare bones" affidavit, officers may rely in good faith on the

warrant's validity.   United States v. Pigrum, 922 F.2d 249, 252

(5th Cir.), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 111 S. Ct. 2064, 114 L. Ed.

2d 468 (1991); United States v. Settegast, 755 F.2d 1117, 1122 n.6

(5th Cir. 1985). "Bare bones" affidavits contain wholly conclusory

statements, which lack the facts and circumstances from which a

                                 -8-
magistrate can independently determine probable cause.     See United

States v. Brown, 941 F.2d 1300, 1303 n.1 (5th Cir.) (per curiam)

(giving as an example, an affidavit that states the affiant "`has

cause to suspect and does believe'" that contraband is located on

the premises (quoting Nathanson v. United States, 290 U.S. 41, 54

S. Ct. 11, 78 L. Ed. 159 (1933))), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 112

S. Ct. 648, 116 L. Ed. 2d 665 (1991).

     We conclude that the CI's personal observations and Cooks's

statements to the CI provided the magistrate with more than a "bare

bones" affidavit.   Agent Hildreth's affidavit contains facts which

the CI personally observed.     As stated in the affidavit, the CI

accompanied Cooks to the apartment for the purpose of buying

cocaine. See Record on Appeal, vol. 1, at 152.      Once there, the CI

saw Cooks enter the apartment and return carrying cocaine. See id.

This information provided the magistrate with facts, and not mere

conclusions, from which he could determine probable cause.5

     Satterwhite    maintains   that   the   CI's   observations   are

unreliable hearsay, because neither agent Hildreth nor the CI had

    5
          Satterwhite contends that Cooks may have had the cocaine
on his person before he entered the apartment, and that therefore
the CI's observations cannot establish probable cause for a search
warrant. We disagree. Determining probable cause does not require
certainty, but only a probability that contraband or evidence is
located in a certain place. See Gates, 462 U.S. at 230-31, 103 S.
Ct. at 2328; see also United States v. Fluker, 543 F.2d 709, 714
(9th Cir. 1976) (finding probable cause on similar facts,
notwithstanding argument that an informant who was not searched
before entering defendant's apartment could have had the drugs on
his person when he entered the apartment).             Furthermore,
Satterwhite does not offer, and we cannot find, any explanation for
why Cooks might have wanted to deceive the CI.

                                 -9-
personal knowledge that Satterwhite's apartment contained drugs.

Satterwhite therefore argues that the government is attempting to

put flesh on an otherwise "bare bones" affidavit by the use of

unreliable hearsay.

     An affidavit may rely on hearsay))information not within the

personal   knowledge    of   the    affiant,    such    as   an   informant's

report))as long as the affidavit presents a "`substantial basis for

crediting the hearsay.'"         Gates, 462 U.S. at 242, 103 S. Ct. at

2334 (quoting Jones v. United States, 362 U.S. 257, 269, 80 S. Ct.

725, 735, 4 L. Ed. 2d 697 (1960)).         In assessing the credibility of

an informant's report, we examine the informant's veracity and

basis of knowledge.      See id. at 230-33, 103 S. Ct. at 2328-29

(these two factors are relevant considerations under the "totality

of the circumstances" test for valuing an informant's report).

     The affidavit supporting the search warrant for Satterwhite's

apartment adequately demonstrated the CI's veracity.              The affiant

asserted that the CI had in the past given true and accurate

information leading to arrests and the seizure of controlled

substances.      The   affiant     further   asserted    that     the   CI   had

accurately provided the names and addresses of other suspected

narcotic traffickers.    These assertions sufficiently establish the

CI's veracity.    See United States v. McKnight, 953 F.2d 898, 905

(5th Cir.), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 112 S. Ct. 2975, 119 L. Ed.

2d 594 (1992) (assertion that informant had in the past given true

and reliable information sufficiently establishes veracity).

                                    -10-
      The affidavit also sufficiently demonstrated the CI's basis of

knowledge.        The affiant stated that the CI saw Cooks enter and

leave Satterwhite's apartment, whereupon Cooks showed the CI some

cocaine. That the CI personally observed these events demonstrates

that he obtained his information in a reliable way.                       See Spinelli

v. United States, 393 U.S. 410, 425, 89 S. Ct. 584, 593, 21 L. Ed.

2d 637 (1969) (White, J., concurring) ("[If an informant's] report

. . . purports to be first-hand observation, remaining doubt

centers    on     the    honesty     of   the    informant,      and    that    worry    is

dissipated        by    the    officer's        previous     experience        with     the

informant.").

      Moreover,         the   affidavit       contains     information     within       the

personal knowledge of agent Hildreth which tends to corroborate the

CI's story.       See Gates, 462 U.S. at 242, 103 S. Ct. at 2334 ("An

officer `may rely upon information received through an informant,

rather     than    upon       his    direct     observations,      so    long     as    the

informant's statement is reasonably corroborated by other matters

within the officer's knowledge.'" (quoting Jones, 362 U.S. at 269,

80 S. Ct. at 735)). Agent Hildreth discovered that Satterwhite had

six previous arrests and at least four convictions, including two

convictions for possession of dangerous drugs.                    The affidavit also

states that Satterwhite was on probation at the time for his

involvement with dangerous drugs.                 See Jones, 362 U.S. at 271, 80

S.   Ct.   at     736    (that      defendant     was    known   user    of     narcotics

corroborated informant's report); United States v. Farese, 612 F.2d

1376, 1379 (5th Cir.) (that defendant had an extensive criminal

                                           -11-
record corroborated informant's report), cert. denied, 447 U.S.

925, 100 S. Ct. 3019, 65 L. Ed. 2d 1118 (1980).

     Agent Hildreth also discovered that the account for the

apartment's utility bill belonged to Joseph Walker.               See Record on

Appeal, vol. 1, at 153.        Police records indicated that Walker had

worked at a game arcade managed by Satterwhite, and had also worked

for J.B. Motors, supposedly owned by Cooks.              Id.   These facts also

tend to corroborate the CI's story by establishing a connection

between Cooks, Walker, and Satterwhite.               Because the affidavit

established      a    substantial    basis      for     crediting        the    CI's

observations, the government does not add to an otherwise "bare

bones" affidavit with unreliable hearsay.

     Cooks's statements to the CI further support the sufficiency

of agent Hildreth's affidavit.           Cooks stated that:     (1) he had seen

large amounts of cocaine in the apartment; (2) he had purchased

cocaine,   and     delivered   it   to    defendant's     apartment;      and   (3)

Satterwhite was a financier of a drug distribution ring, which was

operating the apartment to manufacture and store crack cocaine.

See Record on Appeal, vol. 1, at 152.          Because this information was

not within the personal knowledge of the affiant, these statements

constitute hearsay (Cooks's statements) within hearsay (the CI's

report). Satterwhite argues that Cooks's statements are unreliable

double hearsay, and should not be used to support the affidavit.

     Where    an     informant's    report    is   not    based     on    personal

knowledge, but rather on the information of a second individual, we

must determine whether a substantial basis exists for crediting the

                                     -12-
second individual's information.           See Spinelli, 393 U.S. at 410,

425, 89 S. Ct. at 593 (White, J., concurring) ("If the affidavit

rests on . . . an informant's report . . . the informant must

declare either (1) that he has himself seen or perceived the fact

or facts asserted; or (2) that his information is hearsay, but

there is good reason for believing it))perhaps one of the usual

grounds for crediting hearsay information."); United States v.

Smith, 462 F.2d 456, 458 (8th Cir. 1972) (upon receiving affidavit

which   contains    hearsay       upon    hearsay,     magistrate      need    not

categorically reject double hearsay information, but is called upon

to determine whether information gained in reliable way).

     The CI corroborated Cooks's statements by observing cocaine on

his person after he returned from Satterwhite's apartment.                      See

Record on Appeal, vol. 1, at 152.            Agent Hildreth's independent

corroboration of the CI's story also tends to corroborate Cooks's

statements.      See   id.   at    153.     "It   is    enough    .    .   .   that

`[c]orroboration through other sources of information reduced the

chances of a reckless or prevaricating tale,' thus providing a

`substantial basis for crediting the hearsay.'"                  See Gates, 462

U.S. at 244-45, 103 S. Ct. at 2335 (alteration in original)

(quoting Jones, 362 U.S. at 269, 271, 80 S. Ct. at 735, 736).

     Cooks's statements are also reliable because he admitted that

he had previously delivered cocaine to the apartment.                 This was an

admission against penal interest because it implicated Cooks as a

co-conspirator     with   Satterwhite.       "Admissions     of    crime,      like

admissions against proprietary interests, carry their own indicia

                                     -13-
of   credibility))sufficient   at    least   to   support   a   finding   of

probable cause to search."     United States v. Harris, 403 U.S. 573,

583, 91 S. Ct. 2075, 2082, 29 L. Ed. 2d 723 (1971); see Spinelli,

393 U.S. at 425, 89 S. Ct. at 593 (White, J., concurring) ("[I]f .

. . the informer's hearsay comes from one of the actors in the

crime in the nature of an admission against interest, the affidavit

giving this information should be held sufficient."); United States

v. Angulo-Lopez, 791 F.2d 1394, 1397 (9th Cir. 1986) ("When the

circumstances suggest veracity, such as an admission against penal

interest, a statement made to an informant can be considered

reliable."). Thus, the affidavit presented a substantial basis for

crediting both the CI's information as to what he personally

observed, and Cooks's statements to the CI.           Accordingly, agent

Hildreth provided the magistrate with more than a "bare bones"

affidavit, and the good-faith exception applies.

                                    III

      For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM.

                                    -14-