United States v. Harrison

400 F. Supp. 2d 780, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27645, 2005 WL 3046297
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Pennsylvania
DecidedNovember 14, 2005
DocketCRIM. 04-768
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 400 F. Supp. 2d 780 (United States v. Harrison) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Harrison, 400 F. Supp. 2d 780, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27645, 2005 WL 3046297 (E.D. Pa. 2005).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

PADOVA, District Judge.

Defendant Danny Harrison is currently charged with five counts of possession of controlled substances in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 860(a), and 844(a). Presently before the Court is Defendant’s Motion to suppress physical evidence and for an evidentiary hearing pursuant to Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154, 98 S.Ct. 2674, 57 L.Ed.2d 667 (1978). The Court held a hearing on the Motion on September 6, 2005, and the matter has been fully *783 briefed by both parties. For the reasons that follow, the Motion is denied.

I. BACKGROUND .

Indictment No. 04-768 charges Defendant Danny Harrison, also known as “Danny White,” with two counts of possession of cocaine base (“crack”) with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 860(a) (Counts Three and Four); two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 860(a) (Counts Five and Six); and one count of possession of marijuana in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 844(a) (Count Seven). 1 The charges arose from a Philadelphia Police narcotics unit investigation of Defendant.

In August 2004, the Philadelphia Police obtained a warrant for Defendant’s arrest, after allegedly observing him sell crack cocaine to a confidential informant (“Cl”) on two occasions in April of that year. Shortly after Defendant was arrested, the police obtained a warrant to search his residence. The search uncovered controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, and large amounts of cash. Defendant challenges the accuracy of the affidavits of probable cause supporting both the arrest and search warrants in this case.

A. The Arrest Warrant Affidavit

Officer Richard Gramlich (“Officer Gramlich”), the head of a team of officers from the Philadelphia Narcotics Field Unit (the “Investigating Officers”), signed the affidavit of probable cause for the warrant for Defendant’s arrest (“Arrest, Warrant Affidavit”). (Def.’s Ex. 10.) The Arrest Warrant Affidavit states as follows. Officer Gramlich was contacted by the Cl on April 19, 2004. The Cl told him that he could set up a buy for cocaine powder from a person called Danny “Nino” White. The Cl said that “Nino” would meet him at a bar and would probably go to his mother’s house at 2818 North Marston Street to pick up the drugs, but that he lived at 5832 North Sydenham Street. The Cl also stated that “Nino” kept his stash at his mother’s house and drove a black GMC Denali with chrome wheels. The Inyesti-gating , Officers confirmed that Danny White is the registered owner of the house at 5332 North Sydenham Street and that Faye White (Defendant’s mother) is one of the registered owners of the house at 2818 North Marston Street.

Between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. on April 19, 2004, Investigating Officers Henry and Cain observed a black male identified as Danny White wearing a pink polo shirt and dark jeans and driving a black Denali in the vicinity of 2818 North Marston Street. The vehicle was registered to Danny White of 4447 North Uber Street. The Officers reported that Defendant operated the vehicle in the area but always returned to 2818 North Marston Street.

Investigating Officer Russell, who was in control of the Cl, watched while the Cl made a telephone call to 267-968-9822 and had a drug-related conversation with a man who answered to the name of “Nino” and who agreed to meet the Cl at a predetermined location. Officer Russell gave the Cl pre-recorded cash and observed him meet with Defendant, who was still wéaring a pink polo shirt and dark jeans, on the front porch of 2818 North Marston Street between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. The Cl handed the cash to Defendant and followed him into the resi- *784 denee. The Cl exited the house thirty seconds later and was followed out of the area by Investigating Officers Henry and Cain. The Cl met with Officer Gramlich and gave him two clear plastic bags of crack cocaine.

On April 20, 2004, the Cl made another purchase from Defendant while under the control of Investigating Officer Russell. Officer Russell searched the Cl for weapons, currency, and contraband, and gave him prerecorded money. He watched the Cl dial the same telephone number and have a drug-related conversation with “Nino,” whereby the two agreed to meet at a predetermined location. Between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., Investigating Officer Wims observed Defendant’s black Denali pull up at the predetermined location and watched Defendant exit the vehicle. The Cl approached the vehicle and Defendant accepted the prerecorded money, retrieved some small items from his pants pocket, and handed the items to the Cl. Investigating Officers Wims, Keys, Brereton and London followed Defendant, while Officer Russell followed the Cl out of the area. The Cl met with Officer Russell and turned over two clear plastic bags, each containing eight grams of cocaine powder.

Based on these facts in the Arrest Warrant Affidavit, Bail Commissioner Hill approved the warrant for Defendant’s arrest on August 1, 2004. (Mot. Suppress at 9.) Plainclothes officers from the burglary team (the “Arresting Officers”), in possession of a photograph of Defendant, executed the warrant on August 21, 2004 at 5332 North Sydenham Street. (Def.’s Ex. 9, at 2.) During the arrest, the Arresting Officers noticed a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance in plain view in the residence. (Id. at 3.) They also recovered a bag of a white powdery substance from one of Defendant’s guests, which tested positive for cocaine. (Id.) Officer Gramlich prepared an affidavit of probable cause (“Search Warrant Affidavit”) noting this information and consequently obtained a warrant for the search of 5332 North Sydenham Street.

B. The Search Warmnt Affidavit

The Search Warrant Affidavit (Def.’s Ex. 9) contains the following facts. The Arresting Officers reported to Officer Gramlich that they were in the vicinity of the residence at 5332 North Sydenham Street at approximately 8:45 p.m. and saw Defendant’s black Denali parked behind the house. Through the open back door, they observed Defendant playing billiards just inside. They entered the house and arrested Defendant, finding a large amount of cash on his person ($1,359.00).

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Related

United States v. Dietz
452 F. Supp. 2d 611 (E.D. Pennsylvania, 2006)

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Bluebook (online)
400 F. Supp. 2d 780, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27645, 2005 WL 3046297, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-harrison-paed-2005.