Eaton v. State

878 N.E.2d 481, 2007 Ind. App. LEXIS 2948, 2007 WL 4555278
Indiana Court of Appeals·Decided December 28, 2007·No. 89A04-0611-CR-641·Published·Cited by 2 cases

Opinion

OPINION

MATHIAS, Judge.

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

Willie Eaton appeals his convictions for Class A felony dealing in cocaine and Class A misdemeanor possession of marijuana *483 following a jury trial. Eaton raises three issues for our review, which we restate as whether the trial court abused its discretion in admitting evidence obtained by the State pursuant to two search warrants. 1

We reverse.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On May 4, 2005, Indiana State Police Officer Ron Shoemaker filed an affidavit (“Affidavit”) in support of a search warrant request for Eaton’s residence (“first warrant”). The Affidavit provided the following factual basis for that request:

The affiant, Ron Shoemaker, of the Indiana State Police, swears that he has good cause to believe that evidence of criminal activity is located at the residence of Willie Eaton, 813 North 8th Street, Richmond, Indiana, 47374.
On May 4th, 2005, at approximately 2:15 p.m., Trooper Wildauer observed a vehicle traveling along Interstate 70 near mile post 91 in Marion County, Indiana. Trooper Wildauer observed the vehicle make an unsafe lane movement. Trooper Wildauer measured the speed of the vehicle using a radar device at 62 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone. Trooper Wildauer stopped the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle identified himself as Edgar Gonzalez through an identification card. Trooper Wildauer spoke with Gonzalez about where he was traveling. Trooper Wildauer learned that Gonzalez’ version of events was not making sense. [Specifically], Gon[za]lez said he was going to mile post marker 149, but he did not know the ultimate destination of his trip or who he was supposed to meet. After giving Gonzalez his identification card and warning ticket, affiant sought, and obtained, consent to search the vehicle.

Affiant subsequently located a hidden compartment in the passenger side air bag compartment. Inside said compartment, affiant located approximately four (4) kilos of a substance believed to be cocaine. The substance was subsequently field tested and presump[t]ively confirmed to be cocaine.

Gonzalez told affiant that he was en route to Richmond, Indiana, and he was meeting some “black guys.” Gonzalez was to take the vehicle to Richmond and deliver it. For his efforts, Gonzalez was to be paid $600.00. Gonzalez told affiant he believed he was transporting marijuana, not cocaine.
Gonzalez agreed to cooperate with officers in continuing to transport the cocaine to Richmond. Trooper Wildauer photographed the cocaine. Trooper Wil-dauer removed three kilos of cocaine, and inserted three fake kilos of cocaine. Officers left one kilo of cocaine inside the vehicle.
Affiant accompanied Gonzalez to Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana. Affiant drove the vehicle, while Gonzalez was the passenger. Officers also placed a recording device in the vehicle to monitor conversations. While en route to Richmond, affiant heard Gonzalez speak to one of the males for whom he intended to deliver the cocaine. Affiant heard a conversation between Gonzalez and the male because the conversation was broadcast over a Nextel phone, which is similar to a walkie-talkie. The male caller inquired as to the location of Gon *484 zalez. Gonzalez responded that he was near the 110 mile marker. The male caller told Gonzalez that he [ QGonza-lez[) ] was still forty (40) miles away from the meeting location. The male directed Gonzalez to a muffler store located on National Road West in Richmond.
Affiant exited the vehicle near the 149 mile marker. Affiant activated the monitoring device within the vehicle.
Gonzalez travelled] to the intersection of West Main and 5th Streets in Richmond. Gonzalez turned left onto Main Street. Gonzalez turned the wrong way. Gonzalez then called someone on his cell phone. The male on the phone told Gonzalez that he had made a wrong turn. The male asked Gonzalez where he was located. Gonzalez told the male that he was near the Pizza King. The male then directed Gonzalez to go to the Pizza King and wait. The male arrived moments later to meet Gonzalez. The male was driving a tan Chevrolet Blazer. Shoemaker and Sgt. Bilke established surveillance on the Pizza King. Gonzalez then told affiant that “he is here” and stated that he was in a brown Blazer. Shoemaker observed Gonzalez follow the tan Blazer westbound on Main Street. Both vehicles then pulled insi[d]e Discount Muffler located at 1500 National Road West. Affiant observed Dewayne Eaton exit the tan Blazer. Shoemaker knows Dewayne (also known as ‘Wayne”) Eaton personally from prior drug investigations.
Gonzalez was instructed to pull into one of the service bays by a male. Affiant observed Wayne Eaton standing outside the business talking on a cell phone. Gonzalez told affiant that he thought the deal was going to take place at some other location. Gonza[le]z thought they were simply going to fix his car there. Affiant heard someone repairing the tire inside the business.
Shortly] thereafter, Willie Eaton arrive[d] in [a] blue vehicle. Willie Eaton then spoke with Wayne Eaton and Gonzalez. Willie Eaton then pulled his vehicle into the service bay.
Officers heard movement consistent with the sound of someone attempting to retrieve the cocaine in the vehicle. Gonzalez could be heard saying “Show it to me.” Officers interpreted this statement to mean that Gonzalez was wanting to see the cash which would be used to purchase the cocaine.
Officers then entered the business and secured the location. While doing so, Wayne Eaton was attempting to flee through the back door of the business. Officers located a black bag in the front passenger seat. Inside the bag, officers observed a large sum of vacuum sealed cash. Without opening it, officers estimated there to be approximately $60,000 to $100,000 worth of U.S. currency. Af-fiant notes, however, that said conclusion is based only on observing bills on the outside of the bundles. It is possible that there is more or less currency in said bag. Officers also observed a quantity of crack cocaine.
Affiant obtained an Indiana Operator’s License indication that Dewayne Eaton resides at 1215 Sheridan Street in Richmond. Sgt. Porfidio reported that Willie Eaton resides at 818 North 8th Street, Richmond, Indiana, 47374. Willie Eaton provided said address to officials at the Wayne County Jail.

Appellant’s App. pp. 16-18.

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Eaton v. State, 878 N.E.2d 481, 2007 Ind. App. LEXIS 2948, 2007 WL 4555278 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007).

878 N.E.2d 481 (Eaton v. State) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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