LOUISE W. FLANAGAN, District Judge.
This matter is before the court on defendant's motions to suppress (DE 22, 23). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1), United States Magistrate Judge Robert B. Jones, Jr., issued memorandum and recommendation ("M&R"), wherein it is recommended that the court deny defendant's motions. (DE 35). Defendant timely filed objections to the M&R, and the government did not respond. In this posture, the issues raised are ripe for ruling.
Criminal complaint filed January 8, 2016, charged defendant with being an alien present in the United States after previously been removed, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a). Indictment filed February 2, 2016, charges the same offense. Defendant filed the instant motions on March 11, 2016, seeking to suppress evidence seized on January 6, 2016, from defendant's residence at 21 New Mexico Drive, Red Springs, North Carolina ("the residence"), including results of fingerprint identification and custodial statements. Evidentiary hearing was held before magistrate judge on April 26, 2016, at which defendant testified along with his then-fiancée, Ama Rylin Ama Anba Powell ("Powell"), who was present at the residence on January 6, 2016, and gave permission for officers to enter the home. The government presented testimony of special agent Bryan Moultis ("Moultis") and sheriff officer Jose Hernandez ("Hernandez"). The government submitted documents as exhibits at the suppression hearing, in addition to video camera footage of the entry into the residence and questioning of defendant, which footage was taken from a body camera on officer Hernandez.
In his motions to suppress, defendant argues that the warrantless search of his residence was conducted without valid consent or probable cause, and that defendant was detained and questioned without being informed of his rights under
The court incorporates herein by reference the statement of facts in the M&R (
The district court reviews de novo those portions of a magistrate judge's M&R to which specific objections are filed. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b). The court does not perform a de novo review where a party makes only "general and conclusory objections that do not direct the court to a specific error in the magistrate's proposed findings and recommendations."
In his objections, defendant argues that the M&R incorrectly considered facts bearing on Powell's consent to enter, as well as facts bearing upon whether defendant was detained and questioned in custody after officers entered the residence. Upon careful review of the M&R and the record in this case, the court adopts the analysis and conclusions of the M&R as its own. The M&R thoroughly and cogently reviews the evidence in this case bearing on both issues raised by defendant, accurately reflecting the video evidence of the officers' approach, entry, search, and questioning within the residence.
Powell gave "knowing and voluntary" consent for officers to enter the residence, in light of the totality of the circumstances.
Defendant points to other factors as demonstrating lack of consent, such as Hernandez' statements upon knocking that he was with "Publishers' Clearinghouse" and "open the door or we are going to knock it down." When these statements are viewed in context, however, in light of the officers' actions and tone of delivery as seen on the video recording, they do not show that Powell's consent was "coerced by threats or force, or granted only in submission to a claim of lawful authority."
In sum, the government has met its burden by a preponderance of the evidence that Powell gave knowing and voluntary consent for officers to enter the home.
Similarly based on a totality of the circumstances, defendant was not in custody at any point prior to his arrest on January 6, 2016, for purposes of
Defendant points to other factors as evidence of a custodial interrogation. For example, officers never told defendant that he was not under arrest or free to leave; agent Moultis instructed defendant to fill out an immigration field questionnaire; agent Moultis suggested by his questions that defendant was suspected of an immigration violation. These factors, however, when viewed in light of the other factors set forth above and detailed in the M&R, are not sufficient to transform the officers' visit into a custodial interrogation or to render defendant's statements involuntary.
In sum, defendant voluntarily gave statements to officers on January 6, 2016, and was not in custody when doing so. Therefore, officers were not required to give defendant
Based upon the foregoing, upon careful review of the M&R and the record, the court ADOPTS the recommendation of the magistrate judge as its own. Defendant's motions to suppress (DE 22, 23) are DENIED.
SO ORDERED.