State Of Washington, V. Michael Angel Amaro

Court of Appeals of Washington·Decided August 15, 2023·No. 56915-9·Unpublished

Opinion

Filed

Washington State

Court of Appeals

Division Two

August 15, 2023

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

DIVISION II

STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 56915-9-II

Respondent,

v.

MICHAEL ANGEL AMARO, UNPUBLISHED OPINION Appellant.

LEE, J. — Michael A. Amaro appeals his convictions and sentence for two counts of first degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct—suspect 18 years or older. Amaro argues that the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress, imposing three community custody conditions, and imposing community custody supervision fees.

We hold that the trial court did not err by denying Amaro’s motion to suppress. We also hold that the trial court did not err by imposing the challenged community custody condition relating to sexually exploitive materials. However, the trial court erred by imposing the challenged community custody conditions relating to sexually explicit materials and use of internet/social media, but the remedy of striking the conditions is not necessary for both challenged community custody conditions. Finally, the community custody supervision fees should stricken.

Accordingly, we affirm Amaro’s convictions and the community custody condition prohibiting the possession or access to sexually exploitive materials. However, we remand for the trial court to (1) provide proper definition and clarification for the community custody condition prohibiting the possession or access to sexually explicit materials and/or information pertaining to

minors via computer and (2) modify and state the factual basis for the community custody condition prohibiting the use of internet or social media without approval, and (3) strike the community custody supervision fees.

FACTS

A. EVENTS AT PUGET SOUND NAVAL SHIPYARD Amaro worked at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS). PSNS is a military establishment that employs civilians and maintains classified military information related to national defense.

PSNS prohibits camera capable cell phones and routinely performs security sweeps. When entering PSNS, employees pass the following warning signs: (1) a sign stating that all devices with cameras are prohibited and featuring photos of a cell phone, camera, and iPad with a red line through them; (2) a sign stating that authorized personnel who enter the restricted area consent to the search of personnel and property under their control; and (3) a sign stating that photography in the industrial area is prohibited and violation of that policy is subject to criminal prosecution and/or confiscation of film, media and camera.

PSNS has established procedures and protocols for when security finds camera capable cell phones. PSNS policy states that PSNS will review any photographs that may contain classified material, along with any transmission of classified materials via text messaging or other electronic communication. If PSNS finds classified material on a camera capable cell phone, PSNS will apply a higher level of scrutiny in its review of the cell phone.

On September 16, 2021, security personnel entered Amaro’s work building and announced they were conducting a security sweep. Security personnel saw Amaro frantically trying to put a cell phone into his backpack. Security personnel asked Amaro to remove the cell phone from his backpack and tell them if it was a camera capable cell phone. Amaro handed the cell phone to security personnel and told them it was a camera capable cell phone.

One security employee, Jennifer Young, told Amaro she was taking custody of his cell phone because it was a violation of PSNS policy to be in possession of a camera capable cell phone. Amaro provided Young with the swipe pattern or password for accessing the phone. Young wrote the swipe pattern or password on an evidence property receipt for storage and review of the phone. Amaro then signed the evidence property custody receipt.

Young reviewed the contents of the cell phone for any contraband related to PSNS security.

Young found two photos of classified shipyard documents in the photo section of the phone, which triggered a heightened degree of scrutiny for her review of the phone.

Young then reviewed the text messages on the phone and found a conversation that appeared to be between Amaro and an 11-year-old girl that occurred on September 7, 2021. In the text conversation, the girl said she was happy Amaro wanted to spend time with her even though she is 11 years old. The girl also stated that she would not tell her mother that she and Amaro had sex. Amaro responded in the conversation that he could not believe she was only 11 years old and that he had a good time with her. The text conversation also included a photo of a nude female from the rear who was bent over facing away from the camera. Young did not know the age of the female in the photo.

Young immediately notified her supervisor of the text conversation. PSNS transferred the phone to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, who then transferred the phone to Washington State Patrol (WSP). B. WSP SEARCH WARRANT WSP Detective Sergeant Jason Greer applied for a search warrant for Amaro’s cell phone.

The warrant application stated that WSP had probable cause to believe that the cell phone contained evidence of first degree rape of a child and communication with a minor for immoral purposes. The warrant application included a description of the text conversation with the 11- year-old girl, including the nude photo, that Young had found on the cell phone.

A judge granted the search warrant application. The warrant authorized WSP to search the phone for evidence of first degree rape of a child and communication with a minor for immoral purposes.

Detective Sergeant Greer searched Amaro’s cell phone pursuant to the warrant and located the text messages with the 11-year-old girl. Detective Sergeant Greer also found dozens of images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, along with hundreds of similar images that had been deleted. C. CHARGES AND MOTION TO SUPPRESS The State charged Amaro with three counts of first degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct—suspect 18 years or older.

Amaro moved to suppress the evidence found on his cell phone, arguing that Young had unlawfully searched his cell phone, the search warrant application did not establish probable cause

for a search, and the search warrant did not specify with particularity the items to be searched. The State opposed the motion, arguing that the PSNS search was lawful, that there was sufficient probable cause for the warrant, and that the warrant was sufficiently particular.

The trial court heard argument and orally denied Amaro’s motion to suppress. Amaro provided supplemental briefing and argument on the motion to suppress, and the trial court again denied the motion. The trial court made the following relevant written ruling to support its denial of Amaro’s motion to suppress:

That under the totality of the circumstances, defendant impliedly consented to a search of his cellphone when he entered a level II restricted facility, passed barbed-wire fencing, passed access-controlled points of entry, and passed multiple warning signs that clearly stated that camera capable devices are prohibited, and that authorized entry constituted consent to search of personnel and their property.

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