United States v. Palmer

Defendant pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. On appeal, defendant challenged the district court's denial of his motion to suppress drug and firearm evidence seized by police officers during a traffic stop. The court concluded that no constitutional violation occurred in this case. The officer did not unreasonably expand the scope of the stop by beginning an unjustified drug investigation. Furthermore, the officer did not conduct a warrantless search of the vehicle without probable cause when he stuck his head inside the car to examine its fraudulent inspection sticker where the officer's means of investigating the inspection sticker were appropriate and not unreasonably intrusive. Accordingly, the court affirmed the judgment. View "United States v. Palmer" on Justia Law