United States v. Ruiz, No. 13-1209 (7th Cir. 2015)
Annotate this CaseOfficers approached Ruiz’s car after they witnessed Ruiz engage in what they deemed to be suspicious behavior, including actions consistent with operating a “trap”—a concealed, non-factory compartment in a vehicle often used to hide drugs. Ruiz consented to the search of his car and then followed the officers to a nearby police station where he showed the officers two traps in his car loaded with heroin. Ruiz pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1), reserving the right to appeal the denial of his motion to suppress evidence. The Seventh Circuit affirmed, rejecting arguments that: the officers did not have reasonable suspicion to stop his vehicle; the stop exceeded its lawful purpose and ripened into a de facto arrest; the encounter with the officers was custodial, requiring the suppression of all statements he made prior to receiving Miranda warnings; and he did not consent voluntarily to go to the police station and open the traps.
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