Search warrant lacked probable cause as informant’s information was not corroborated
Facts In 2011, Sherri Stewart came to Philadelphia P.D. and said she was the victim of identity theft as a fraudulent Facebook page on her was created using a stolen picture from her authentic Facebook page. The fraudulent Facebook page was then slandering her and causing problems with her job. Stewart provided police with the […]
Warrant for phone was specific enough for search in addition to seizure
Facts Sarah, 15 years old, lived with her grandmother, siblings, and her adult cousin, Robert Moore. One morning, Sarah got up to use the bathroom and Moore called out to her. When Sarah entered his room, he blocked her from leaving, physically threatened her, and had sex with her. He also took various sexual explicit […]
Consent to search pouch in hotel revealed drugs
Facts In 2012, Investigator Matt Haley and Sergeant Christopher Hearn of Harrison County S.O. were participating in a drug round up, where a group of law enforcement officers went out together and attempted to serve several outstanding warrants. They had an arrest warrant for Ryan O’Donnell and discovered he was at the Broadway Express Inn, […]
An illegal arrest doesn’t automatically throw out a confession
Facts Samantha, who was 11 or 12 years old, told a friend that Ryan Catledge, her 20 year old step brother, had been having sex with her. The police learned of this and went to the home to speak with Samantha’s mother. They were speaking outside when Catledge emerged from the house. Police were surprised […]
Anonymous tip for traffic stop not enough in this case
Facts In 2011, a reservoir patrol officer received a BOLO for a vehicle that was driving erratically and possibly flashing a badge of some sort. The officer did not know who made the call and to his knowledge it was anonymous and not corroborated. The officer saw the vehicle and observed it for a short […]
Knife properly collected under automobile exception and/or plain view seizure
Facts Trevor Hoskins and Linda Taylor were in a relationship and driving home one night when they had an argument about ex-boyfriends. As Hoskins drove past the house, he went to an area where people fish and stopped the car. When she refused to get out, he started hitting her. He dragged her out of […]