United States of America v. Jtton Edward Watson, aka J’ttonAli One Eye El Bey

Cincinnati, Ohio criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with f felony possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).



Motion to suppress s evidence obtained from a vehicle search conducted on December 5, 2020,

arguing that the initial traffic stop, his warrantless arrest, and the subsequent search of his vehicle

violated his Fourth Amendment rights.



Denied



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It is well settled that a police officer may conduct a traffic stop when the officer has probable cause to believe that a traffic violation has occurred. Whren v. United States, 517 U.S. 806, 810 (1996). "Probable cause is a reasonable ground for belief supported by less than prima facie proof but more than mere suspicion.” United States v. Blair, 524 F.3d 740, 748 (6th Cir. 2008). An officer satisfies the requirements of probable cause when, at the moment the officer seeks the arrest, "the facts and circumstances within [the officer's] knowledge and of which [he] had reasonably trustworthy information [are] sufficient to warrant a prudent man in believing that the [individual] had committed or was committing an offense.” Beck v. Ohio, 379 U.S. 89, 91 (1964). If an officer has probable cause to believe that a traffic violation has occurred, the stop is permissible "regardless of whether this was the only basis or merely one basis for the stop.” United States v. Bradshaw, 102 F.3d 204, 210 (6th Cir. 1996) (quoting United States v. Ferguson, 8 F.3d 385, 391 (6th Cir.1993)). In this case, the district court held that Officer Wisecup had probable cause to stop Watson for driving past the stop bar at a traffic light, in violation of Ohio Revised Code § 4511.13.

Defendant was found guilty.



Affirmed