McGlocklin v. United States

849 F. Supp. 756, 1994 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15129, 1994 WL 135167
CourtDistrict Court, D. Idaho
DecidedMarch 24, 1994
DocketNo. CV 92-299-N-LMB
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 849 F. Supp. 756 (McGlocklin v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Idaho primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
McGlocklin v. United States, 849 F. Supp. 756, 1994 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15129, 1994 WL 135167 (D. Idaho 1994).

Opinion

FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER

BOYLE, United States Magistrate Judge.

I.

INTRODUCTION

This action seeking an award of monetary damages under negligence theories was brought by Plaintiffs Robert E. and Hazel P. McGlocklin, husband and wife (hereinafter “Plaintiffs” or “MeGlocklins”), against the United States of America. In this action, brought pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2671 et seq., the MeGlocklins alleged that United States customs officers were negligent in allowing Robert Adams, a Canadian fugitive, to pass through the customs port of entry station located at Eastport, Idaho, resulting in Adams travelling to their home, taking them hostage, and shooting Plaintiff Robert McGlocklin in the arm and back.

Trial commenced on March 1, 1994 and was heard by the Court sitting without a jury. Plaintiffs were represented by R. Max Etter, Jr. and Defendant was represented by Robert C. Grisham. At trial, the parties introduced oral and documentary evidence which has been carefully and thoroughly considered by the Court. Therefore, being fully advised in the premises, the Court enters the [758]*758following findings of fact, conclusions of law, order and judgment.

II.

FINDINGS OF FACT

Having carefully considered the testimony of all the witnesses called at trial, having thoroughly reviewed all of the exhibits admitted into evidence, and considered arguments and briefs of counsel, the Court makes the following Findings of Fact pursuant to Fed. R.Civ.P. 52(a).

A. Factual Background and Events

1. The United States Customs Service operates a designated port of entry at East-port, Idaho. The United States employs and has in place customs officers as well as officials from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Services at the Eastport, Idaho port of entry.

2. Customs service officers’ training is similar in many respects to state and federal law enforcement officers in that they receive similar law enforcement training and instruction and carry a weapon for personal protection and protection of others around them. Customs service officers receive training and instruction regarding proper use, marksmanship, and other procedures relating to use of their weapons.

3. Customs service officers’ duties and responsibilities, however, are different from state and federal law enforcement officers in many significant respects. Customs officers deal with tens of thousands of people each month, more than ninety percent of whom are ordinary, law-abiding' citizens who are crossing the border for legitimate reasons, whereas local, state and federal law enforcement officers must have some reasonable basis to believe criminal activity has or is occurring before they can detain, question, or search people they encounter.

4. Customs officers are authorized with, and enjoy, almost plenary powers to question, detain and search individuals crossing the border, their vehicles, luggage and personal possessions. The primary focus of such customs station border searches is to discover merchandise or contraband which may be subject to taxation or confiscation. Personal safety considerations are also taken into account in situations where customs officers have some reasonable basis to fear for their safety or the safety of others.

5. The customs officers at the Eastport, Idaho port of entry have a two-step system, known as “primary” and “secondary” inspections. In the primary inspection, a customs officer in an outside booth performs a computerized license plate search of the license plate as a vehicle approaches to determine whether the vehicle has been reported stolen, and then in a personal dialogue with travelers, attempts to determine citizenship and residence of the vehicle occupants by asking a series of questions and, if necessary, requiring production of identification and vehicle registration forms.

6. If the customs officer conducting the primary inspection has a question regarding the individual’s identity, or has other suspicions, the officer may instruct the individual to park his or her vehicle and enter the main building to undergo a “secondary” search. Such requests are made on a case-by-case basis.

7. If it appears that the occupant’s vehicle has been reported stolen, or if the officer believes the occupant may be dangerous, the occupant is escorted to the main building for a secondary inspection.

8. The vast majority of travelers entering the United States through the Eastport, Idaho facility are not required to submit to a secondary inspection, although such secondary inspections are regularly conducted.

9. It is not uncommon for travelers attempting to enter the United States at the Eastport, Idaho port of entry to present incomplete or inaccurate identification during the secondary inspection. When that occurs, the traveler may be asked to empty his or her pockets in order that the customs officer can determine whether he or she is carrying any additional documentation which might resolve or clarify the question.

10. A traveler may also be asked during the secondary inspection to empty his or her [759]*759pockets if the customs officer suspects the traveler may be carrying contraband.

11. If there still remains some suspicion in the customer officer’s mind after the traveler empties his or her pockets, a pat-down search may be performed to make sure the person has taken everything out of his or her pockets. If suspicion remains, a more thorough body search may be performed. If the customs officer has some information which leads to a reasonable belief that the traveler may be armed, a frisk search for weapons may also be performed.

12. A pat-down search is not performed every time a person presents inaccurate or incomplete identification at the Eastport, Idaho port of entry. Such a procedure would slow down the processing time to an unacceptable rate, would potentially infringe upon a traveler’s right to be free from unlawful searches and create unwanted public relations problems for the customs service.

B. Canadian Fugitive Robert L. Adams Enters the United States

13. On August 27, 1989, a person subsequently identified as Robert Lewis Adams (hereinafter “Adams”), a Canadian fugitive, attempted to cross the border from Canada into the United States through the Eastport, Idaho port of entry.

14. The customs and border port of entry officers at the Eastport, Idaho station had received no advance bulletin, notice or information from any Canadian or United States law enforcement agencies that a Canadian fugitive may attempt to cross the border, that he may be driving a stolen vehicle, or that he may be armed or dangerous.

15. Officer Susan Wilson, who conducted the primary inspection at the exterior booth, asked Adams his name, citizenship, destination, and requested that he produce identification. Adams stated that he was planning to drive to Nova Scotia, Canada through the United States because gasoline was cheaper in the United States. This is a common reason given by Canadian citizens for entering the United States.

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Bluebook (online)
849 F. Supp. 756, 1994 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15129, 1994 WL 135167, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/mcglocklin-v-united-states-idd-1994.