United States v. Arrington
United States v. Arrington
Opinion of the Court
Gertrude Arrington has filed a motion to restore certain papers and monies taken from premises 614 N Street, N. W., and to restrain the use of these papers and moneys by the United States Attorney in any subsequent proceeding which may lead to the bringing of an indictment against her. Nowhere does the motion allege possession or ownership of the searched premises or the seized property. During oral argument on the motion it was brought out that petitioner is an employee in the premises 614 N Street, which is a valet shop.
The government has opposed the motion, alleging there was probable cause for the issuance of the search warrant and raising procedural objections to the motion. The government contends that the movant has not alleged ownership in, or the right to the possession of the premises searched or the property seized.
The motion is cast in a form which addresses itself to the equity powers of the Court. In this respect the
petitioner relies on Go-Bart Importing Company v. United States
Petitioner has cited United States v. Price,
In the instant case, however, bets were made with four persons, two
The key allegation, however, of the affidavit is the following:
“* * * About 2:25 P.M. Jane Doe No. 2 came downstairs and entered 12291/2 7th St. N. W. with a brown paper bag in her hand. At this time an unidentified colored male placed a bet with her. Jane Doe No. 2 took from the bag a regulation number book and recorded the bet. After this, she took a smaller bag out of the brown bag and placed a copy of the slip in this bag. She placed a book in her coat pocket, then neatly folded the bag of slips. She placed them under her coat, which she held in place with folded arms. Jane Doe No. 2 then left the Cafe and was followed by Officer Evans to 614 N St., N. W. About 4 minutes later she emerged from 614 N St., N. W., her hands free, adjusting her cap with both hands and her coat was open. The bag which she had taken into 614 N St., N. W. was not seen, nor was there a bulge in her coat pocket.”
It is the Court’s opinion that this sufficiently distinguishes the instant case from the Price situation to warrant a different result.
It should be further noted that the bag Jane Doe No. 2 carried and what was in it is very definitely identified. Not only is there the allegation in the affidavit that “on all occasions where a brown paper bag is mentioned, it is believed by the undersigned that they contained number slips or other gambling paraphernalia”, but also on four other occasions mentioned in the affidavit Officer Evans saw slips placed in a paper bag and the bag folded. On the occasion when Jane Doe No. 2 went into 614 N Street, N. W. with a paper bag, there can be no doubt that the bag contained numbers slips. Her emergence without the bag, coupled with the other circumstances mentioned above, in the Court’s opinion warrants a finding of probable cause.
The motion is denied.
. Accardo v. United States, D.C.Cir., 1957, 247 F.2d 568.
. In United States v. Blok, 1951, 88 U.S. App.D.O. 326, 188 F.2d 1019, an employee was held to have standing to assert the improper search of her desk. For the rights of a servant, an employee living in another part of the building, see cases cited therein. On the rights of a guest Gaskins v. United States, 1955, 95 App.D.C. 34, 218 F.2d 47; and Jeffers v. United States, 1951, 342 U.S. 48, 72 S.Ct. 93, 96 L.Ed. 59. However, there is still doubt whether this allegation alone, without any allegation of possession or ownership, is sufficient.
. 1930, 282 U.S. 344, 51 S.Ct. 153, 75 L.Ed. 374.
. Chieftain Pontiac Corporation v. Julian, 1 Cir., 1954, 209 F.2d 657.
. D.C.1957, 149 F.Supp. 707.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- United States v. Gertrude ARRINGTON
- Status
- Published