LA: Bystanders to two SW being executed at motel could be stopped for safety purposes

Narcotics officers executing two search warrants at a motel were justified in detaining those around the scene for officer safety. “The record in this case fully supports the determination that the initial detention of Thompson was a valid investigatory stop. The officers were engaged in executing narcotics search warrants, “… the kind of transaction that may give rise to sudden violence or frantic efforts to conceal or destroy evidence.” Summers, 452 U.S. at 702, 101 S.Ct. at 2594. Moreover, Agent Parker’s testimony that guns are frequently used in narcotic trafficking is a factor which increases the possibility of danger to the officers.” State v. Thompson, 93 So. 3d 553 (La. 2012), revg 58 So.3d 994 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2011).

An officer at a sobriety checkpoint observed a vehicle abruptly pull into a parking lot of closed businesses. He went to investigate, and defendant’s vehicle pulled in, too. The police car blocked the exit. This was a stop without reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing, and it was not consensual. Jones v. State, 291 Ga. 35, 727 S.E.2d 456, 729 S.E.2d 428 (2012).*

The search warrant for defendant’s cell phone was based on probable cause, and the nine months between transactions did not make it stale here. The good faith exception also applies. United States v. Sinclair, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 63864 (N.D. Cal. May 3, 2012).*