TN: Officers could go to door of rear apartment for knock-and-talk

Defendant lived in a rear apartment on the property, so the police did not violate curtilage or a no trespassing sign by going to the rear door since it was his entry. After that, his consent to enter and search was found voluntary. State v. Gatlin, 2015 Tenn. App. LEXIS 1 (January 2, 2015).

There was reasonable suspicion for prolonging defendant’s traffic stop in a rented car that the renter was not in, on I-40 (a known drug corridor) having left Los Angeles (a source city), with a drug trafficker’s good luck shrine in the back seat, an open box of Tide laundry detergent, some of which was sprinkled around the cargo area, both driver and passenger were excessively nervous, even after being told they were only getting a warning ticket, and suspicious travel plans. United States v. Aguilera, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 178983 (N.D. Tex. December 19, 2014).* [I-40 a known drug corridor? Duh! What do you think keeps me employed in my day job?]

Defendant passenger didn’t have standing to contest the driver’s consent, and, thus, his statements are not fruit of the poisonous tree. United States v. Soto-Leon, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 178986 (N.D. Tex. December 19, 2014).*