United States v. Santillan

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The Second Circuit affirmed defendant's conviction and sentence for conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute heroin, oxycodone, and cocaine, and distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. The court held that the police officer conducting the traffic stop had reasonable suspicion to extend the stop when defendant and the driver appeared nervous and were unable to provide information about where they were coming from; the stop did not ripen into a de facto arrest because the police officer used reasonable methods and intrusions to confirm or dispel his suspicions; and, although certain evidence was improperly seized during a frisk, the physical evidence would have inevitably been discovered and thus suppression was not warranted. The court also held that accompanying statements should have been suppressed but the error was harmless. The court found no merit in defendant's remaining challenges. View "United States v. Santillan" on Justia Law