United States v. Saucedo, No. 11-2457 (7th Cir. 2012)
Annotate this CaseSaucedo’s tractor-trailer was stopped because its paper registration plate appeared to be expired. Trooper Miller confirmed that the plate had expired, advised Saucedo that he would conduct a safety inspection, and requested Saucedo’s driver’s license, logbook, and paperwork for the truck, trailer, and load. Saucedo produced his license and other paperwork; his trailer was empty. Miller ran Saucedo’s license and learned that it was invalid and that he had prior convictions for drug distribution and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Miller asked Saucedo whether he had any weapons or drugs. Saucedo volunteered that the trooper could “open it.” Miller asked Saucedo if he could search his truck and trailer; and Saucedo said, “yes.” Because Miller saw things that raised his suspicions, he contacted a canine unit for assistance. He escorted the passenger to an officer’s vehicle. In the cab he found what he thought was an alteration to a small alcove in the sleeper/bunk area behind the driver’s seat. He disassembled one screw, pulled back molding around the alcove, peered in, and found a hidden compartment in which he found 10 kilograms of cocaine. Sentenced to 240 months in prison, Saucedo appealed denial of his motion to suppress. The Seventh Circuit affirmed.
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