United States v. Cruz

552 F. Supp. 2d 187, 2007 WL 5173656
CourtDistrict Court, D. Puerto Rico
DecidedApril 20, 2007
DocketCriminal 06-409 (FAB)
StatusPublished

This text of 552 F. Supp. 2d 187 (United States v. Cruz) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Puerto Rico primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Cruz, 552 F. Supp. 2d 187, 2007 WL 5173656 (prd 2007).

Opinion

OPINION AND ORDER

BESOSA, District Judge.

On December 28, 2006, a grand jury sitting in this district issued a two-count *189 indictment, charging Luis Santiago Cruz (“Santiago”) with possession with intent to distribute approximately three-hundred ninety-seven grams (397g) of cocaine and approximately two-hundred and twenty grams (220g) of cocaine base (crack cocaine), in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2 (Docket No. 10). On March 12, 2007, Santiago moved to suppress the evidence seized pursuant to a search warrant, arguing that the affidavit submitted in support of the application for a search warrant did not on its face contain sufficient valid information to establish probable cause (Docket No. 19). On March 15, 2007, the United States opposed the motion (Docket No. 21). For the reasons discussed below, the Court DENIES Santiago’s motion to suppress.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND 1

In May 2005, a confidential source (“CS1”) stated that Santiago stores money and drugs for the gang from the Juana Matos Housing Project (“JMPHP”), in Ca-taño Puerto Rico. CS1 also stated that Santiago gets drugs for the sellers when they run out of a particular drug. CS1 stated that he has personally seen Santiago taking approximately 200 blue-capped capsules of crack cocaine to the drug point.

In November 2006, another confidential source (“CS2”) conducted a controlled narcotics purchase at the JMPHP. CS2 went to building 44, where the drug point is located, and was asked by an unidentified subject (“Unsubl”), if he wanted to purchase drugs, specifically marijuana, heroin, crack, or cocaine. CS2 stated that he wanted to purchase crack cocaine. Un-subl then directed a second unknown person (“Unsub2”) to get the vials from building 38. Unsub2 went to building 38, but returned empty-handed. Unsubl then directed Unsub2 to building 34. Unsub2 approached the first-floor apartment in the northern .side of building 34, the apartment subject of the search warrant, and was seen receiving a package from a back window. Unsub2 then returned to the drug point with the package. The package, which was given to CS2, contained thirty-six crack cocaine vials.

Also in November 2006, surveillance observed defendant Santiago inside the subject apartment in building 34. He is the registered occupant of the apartment and his arrest records list it as his home address.

On December 15, 2006, a Magistrate Judge issued a search warrant for the subject apartment in building 34 (Docket No. 1, Exh. 1). On December 20, 2006, FBI agents executed the search warrant. Santiago was inside the apartment (Id.). During the search, the agents found approximately 161 vials containing two-hundred twenty grams (220g) of a white crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for the presence of cocaine and approximately 941 one inch by one inch bags which contained approximately three-hundred ninety-seven grams (397g) of a white powder substance which field-tested positive for the presence of cocaine (Id.). The agents also found one-thousand eight-hundred eighty-four dollars ($1,884.00) in currency (Id.).

DISCUSSION

A. Standard for Reviewing a Magistrate Judge’s Determination of Probable Cause to Issue a Search Warrant

“It is clearly established that an affidavit serving as the basis for issuance *190 of a search warrant ‘is sufficient when it ‘demonstrates in some trustworthy fashion the likelihood that an offense has been committed and that there is sound reason to believe that a particular search will turn up evidence of it.’ ’ ” United States v, Spinosa, 982 F.2d 620, 625-26 (1st Cir. 1992) (quoting U.S. v. Aguirre, 839 F.2d 854, 857-58 (1988)). “[P]robable cause to issue a search warrant exists when given all the circumstances set forth in the affidavit ... there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found in a particular place.” United States v. Procopio, 88 F.3d 21, 25 (1st Cir.1996) (citing Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 238, 103 S.Ct. 2317, 76 L.Ed.2d 527 (1983)).

[P]robable cause is a flexible, commonsense standard. It merely requires that the facts available to the officer would “warrant a man of reasonable caution in the belief,” that certain items may be contraband or stolen property or useful as evidence of a crime; it does not demand any showing that such a belief be correct or more likely true than false. A “practical, nontechnical” probability that incriminating evidence is involved is all that is required.

Texas v. Brown, 460 U.S. 730, 742, 103 S.Ct. 1535, 75 L.Ed.2d 502 (1983).

“The task of the reviewing court is to determine whether a ‘substantial basis’ existed for the Magistrate Judge’s determination that probable cause existed. Factors to be considered in determining whether a search warrant should issue include ‘the value of corroboration of details of an informant’s tips by independent police work.’ ” United States v. Keene, 341 F.3d 78, 81 (1st Cir.2003) (quoting Gates, 462 U.S. at 238, 241, 103 S.Ct. 2317). To determine the sufficiency of an affidavit, the court considers “whether the ‘totality of circumstances’ stated in the affidavit demonstrates probable cause to search the premises.” U.S. v. Martin, 286 F.Supp.2d 43, 45 (D.Mass.2003) (quoting United States v. Barnard, 299 F.3d 90, 93 (1st Cir.2002)). “The court approaches this task in a ‘practical, ‘common sense’ fashion’ according deference to any reasonable inferences or findings of probable cause made by a magistrate.” Id. (quoting United States v. Zayas-Diaz, 95 F.3d 105, 111 (1st Cir.1996)). Courts generally presume that an affidavit submitted in support of a search warrant application is valid, “but that presumption may be surmounted by a showing that it contains either (1) a ‘false statement [made] knowingly and intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the truth’ or (2) ‘technically accurate statements’ that ‘have been rendered misleading by material omissions....’” U.S. v. Grant, 218 F.3d 72, 77 (1st Cir.2000) (citations omitted).

B. Santiago’s Motion to Suppress

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Related

Franks v. Delaware
438 U.S. 154 (Supreme Court, 1978)
Texas v. Brown
460 U.S. 730 (Supreme Court, 1983)
Illinois v. Gates
462 U.S. 213 (Supreme Court, 1983)
United States v. Procopio
88 F.3d 21 (First Circuit, 1996)
United States v. Zayas-Diaz
95 F.3d 105 (First Circuit, 1996)
United States v. Barnard
299 F.3d 90 (First Circuit, 2002)
United States v. Keene
341 F.3d 78 (First Circuit, 2003)
United States v. Luis A. Aguirre
839 F.2d 854 (First Circuit, 1988)
United States v. Vincent D. Spinosa
982 F.2d 620 (First Circuit, 1992)
United States v. Gregory James Grant
218 F.3d 72 (First Circuit, 2000)
United States v. Martin
286 F. Supp. 2d 43 (D. Massachusetts, 2003)

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Bluebook (online)
552 F. Supp. 2d 187, 2007 WL 5173656, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-cruz-prd-2007.