United States v. Wilson

278 F.R.D. 145, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 133403, 2011 WL 5842583
CourtDistrict Court, D. Maryland
DecidedNovember 18, 2011
DocketCriminal No. WDQ-10-0488
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 278 F.R.D. 145 (United States v. Wilson) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Maryland primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Wilson, 278 F.R.D. 145, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 133403, 2011 WL 5842583 (D. Md. 2011).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

WILLIAM D. QUARLES, JR., District Judge.

Timothy M. Wilson and Luis R. Ahorrio, Jr. (the “Defendants”) are charged with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and other offenses. On July 29 and November 15, 2011, the Court heard testimony and arguments on several pending motions.1 For the following reasons, the Court will deny the Defendants’ motions to suppress and exclude evidence, compel prosecution review of witnesses and disclosure of evidence, and for severance.2

1. Background

On July 23, 2010, Maryland State Police (“MSP”) Corporal H. Kennard saw a Toyota Corolla (the “Car”) with a New Jersey license plate speeding on U.S. Route 113 in Worcester County, Maryland. Compl. ¶3; ECF No. 47, Ex. 1 [hereinafter Crim. Inv. Report] at 5-6.3 The Car was also following another car too closely. Id. at 6. Ahorrio was driving, and Wilson was the passenger. Id.

At about 7:26 p.m., Kennard stopped the Car. Id.; ECF No. 47, Ex. 2 [hereinafter Video]. Kennard told the Defendants that the stop was being recorded, and asked for Ahorrio’s license and registration. Crim. Inv. Report 6. Ahorrio gave Kennard a Pennsylvania driver’s license and a car rental agreement. Id. Wilson gave Kennard a New Jersey driver’s license. Id. at 6. As Wilson opened his wallet, he revealed what appeared to be a police badge. Compl. ¶ 3. Ahorrio’s hands were “very shaky,” and Wilson’s breathing was “shallow and rapid.” Crim. Inv. Report 7.

[148]*148Kennard returned to his car, and activated the sound recording system. Id. at 6; Video at 7:27 p.m. MSP K-9 Trooper First Class Dana Orndorff arrived and approached Ken-nard’s window.4 Compl. ¶ 4; Crim. Inv. Report 6. Kennard told Orndorff that Ahorrio was not listed on the rental agreement and he “wanted to investigate further.” Crim. Inv. Report 6; Video at 7:27 p.m.

Kennard left his car and motioned for Ahorrio to leave the Toyota. Id.; Video at 7:28 p.m. Kennard asked where Ahorrio lived; Ahorrio said that his “new address” was in New York, and Wilson had rented the Car. Crim. Inv. Report 6. Ahorrio also said that he had driven in a separate ear to Wilson’s house in New Jersey that day, and they were traveling to see drag races. Video at 7:29 p.m.

Kennard then approached Wilson, still sitting in the Car, and informed him that Ahor-rio should be added as a driver on the rental agreement. See id. Wilson said they were going to North Carolina for drag races. Crim. Inv. Report 6. The two spoke briefly about drag racing, then Wilson said that he understood that Kennard had a job to do, and he had “a brother on the job.” Video at 7:30 p.m. Wilson “continu[ously] displayed” the badge in his wallet. Crim. Inv. Report 6.

While Kennard was speaking to Wilson, Orndorff approached Ahorrio. See Crim. Inv. Report 6. Ahorrio told Orndorff that he and Wilson were driving to drag races in Georgia. Id. This conversation was not recorded.

Kennard then asked Ahorrio why he had not obtained a New York license, and whether his Pennsylvania license was valid. Id. Ahorrio stated that he had just moved, and his license was “supposed to be” valid. Video at 7:30-31 p.m. Ahorrio “started to become increasingly nervous as he seemed unsure of his answers.” Crim. Inv. Report 6.

The officers returned to Kennard’s car; See id. Orndorff said that Ahorrio had informed him that he and Wilson were traveling to Georgia for drag races. Id. Kennard told Orndorff that he would “talk to [Ahorrio] a little bit more” while issuing him a warning. Video at 7:32 p.m. Kennard ran Ahor-rio’s license and confirmed it was valid. Id. Kennard returned to Ahorrio and told him that he would be issued a written warning. Crim. Inv. Report 6; Video at 7:33 p.m. As Kennard was preparing the warning, he “started a casual conversation” with Ahorrio about New York for about two minutes. Id.; Video at 7:33-35 p.m.

Kennard then said that his agency was conducting aggressive traffic enforcement. Crim. Inv. Report 6; Video at 7:35 p.m. He asked Ahorrio if all the property in the Car was his, and if he would mind a canine scan of the Car. Id. Ahorrio stated that only one bag in the Car was his, and the officers would need Wilson’s consent to the scan. Id.

Kennard returned briefly to his car and told Orndorff that he wanted to conduct a canine sniff of the Toyota. Video at 7:35 p.m. Kennard then conducted a consensual pat-down search of Ahorrio, and directed him to stand in front of Kennard’s car. Id. at 7; Video at 7:36 p.m. Orndorff opened the passenger side door of the Toyota and had Wilson get out. Crim. Inv. Report at 7; Video at 7:36 p.m. He did not tell Wilson that he could close the car door.5 Hr’g Tr. 136:16-18 July 29, 2011. The door remained open as Orndorff conducted a consensual pat-down of Wilson near the trunk of the car. Crim. Inv. Report at 7; Video at 7:36 p.m. Wilson said to “make it quick” because he needed to use the restroom. Id.

After the pat-down, Kennard indicated that Wilson should stand by Ahorrio. Video at 7:36 p.m. Kennard asked Wilson if everything in the Car was his. Id. Wilson replied, “I guess, yeah.” Id. Wilson pulled out his cell phone, and Kennard told him to put it [149]*149away. Id. Wilson said that he was playing a game on it. Id.

At 7:37 p.m., Orndorff began walking K-9 Camo around the Car. Video.6 The passenger door was open, and Camo put his front paws on the passenger side floorboard and sniffed the floor, seat, console, and glove box. Hr’g Tr. 120:18-21, 137:16-19 July 29, 2011. Camo also stood on his hind legs near the driver’s door. Video at 7:37 p.m.

Between 7:37 and 7:38 p.m. — 11 to 12 minutes after the initial stop — Kennard told the Defendants that the dog had “alerted to the ear.” Video. Kennard asked if there was “any reason why” the dog might have alerted; Wilson said he “wouldn’t know” because he had just picked up the ear. Video at 7:38 p.m.

At 7:39 p.m., Kennard began to search the Toyota. Crim. Inv. Report 7; Video.7 He found two bags which Wilson said were his. Crim. Inv. Report 7. Inside one bag, Ken-nard found a live shotgun shell. Id. Kennard asked if there was a gun inside the Car. Id. Wilson said no, and that he had borrowed the bag. Id.; Video at 7:41 p.m.

Under the front passenger seat, Kennard found a large brown paper bag. Crim. Inv. Report 7. After opening it, he smelled cocaine. Id. Inside was a white bag containing a zip-lock bag with 347 grams of crack cocaine. Id.; Compl. ¶ 6. The brown bag also had a July 16, 2010 receipt from a Burger King less than a mile from Ahorrio’s New York residence. Id. ¶ 7.

At 7:49 p.m., the Defendants were arrested for drug violations, and taken to the MSP Barrack in Berlin, Maryland. Video; Compl. ¶ 5; Crim. Inv. Report 7. There, Wilson was advised of his Miranda rights, and chose to seek counsel. Compl. ¶ 8. Ahorrio waived his’ Miranda rights. Id. ¶ 7. He explained that that morning, Wilson told him that he was renting a car to see drag races. Id.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
278 F.R.D. 145, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 133403, 2011 WL 5842583, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-wilson-mdd-2011.