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Date: 05-11-2020
Case Style:
STATE OF OHIO, v.
BLAKE A. QUAKER
Case Number: 1-19-33
Judge: Vernon L. Preston
Court: IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
ALLEN COUNTY
Plaintiff's Attorney: Jana E. Emerick
Defendant's Attorney:
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This case arises from a March 29, 2018 traffic stop of Quaker’s vehicle
on Interstate 75 in Allen County, Ohio. When approaching Quaker’s vehicle,
Trooper Bryan Holden (“Trooper Holden”), the law enforcement officer who
stopped the vehicle, detected the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from within the
vehicle. Thereafter, Trooper Holden asked Quaker to exit the vehicle and secured
him in the backseat of his patrol vehicle. When Trooper Holden opened the
passenger side door of the vehicle, he observed an open dominoes container
containing what Trooper Holden recognized as raw marijuana residue. Law
enforcement officers conducted a search of the passenger compartment and trunk of
the vehicle. During the search of the trunk, law enforcement officers located a black
backpack. Inside the backpack, law enforcement officers discovered a clear
vacuum-sealed bag wrapped in a t-shirt and duct tape containing what law
enforcement officers suspected to be opioids. The package was seized, and its
contents were later identified as fentanyl.
{¶3} On May 17, 2018, the Allen County Grand Jury indicted Quaker on one
count of aggravated possession of drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), (C)(1)(c),
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a second-degree felony. (Doc. No. 4). On May 25, 2018, Quaker appeared for
arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the charge in the indictment. (Doc. No. 11).
{¶4} On August 21, 2018, Quaker filed a motion to suppress evidence. (Doc.
No. 27). In his motion, Quaker argued that the law enforcement officers exceeded
their authority by searching the trunk of the vehicle.1
(Id.). A hearing on Quaker’s
suppression motion was conducted on October 2, 2018. (Doc. No. 39). On October
5, 2018, the trial court denied Quaker’s motion to suppress evidence. (Id.).
{¶5} On January 28, 2019, Quaker filed a “Motion for Leave to File Delayed
Motion to Suppress Stop Instanter.”2
(Doc. No. 72). On February 5, 2019, the trial
court granted Quaker’s motion to file the delayed suppression motion. (Doc. No.
75). The following day, Quaker filed additional authority regarding the motion to
suppress the stop. (Doc. No. 77). On February 11, 2019, the State filed its response
to Quaker’s motion to suppress the traffic stop. (Doc. No. 79). A hearing on
Quaker’s second suppression motion was held on February 14, 2019. (Doc. No.
86). On February 15, 2019, Quaker filed supplemental briefing in reply to the
1
In the August 21, 2018 motion to suppress, Quaker also challenges the validity of the initial stop of his
vehicle by law enforcement. (See Doc. No. 27). However, at the hearing on October 2, 2018, Quaker’s trial
counsel conceded that Quaker was not challenging the initial stop of the vehicle. (Oct. 2, 2018 Tr. at 49-50).
(See Doc. No. 39). 2
On January 28, 2019, Quaker also filed a “Motion for Leave to Filed Delayed Motion to Suppress Statement
Instanter,” in which he argued that certain statements he made during the encounter should be suppressed
because the Miranda warnings he received were incomplete. (Doc. No. 73). On February 5, 2019, the trial
court granted Quaker’s motion to file the delayed motion to suppress statements. (Doc. No. 75). On February
14, 2019, the trial court heard both suppression motions filed on January 28, 2019. (Doc. No. 86). On March
8, 2019, the trial court granted Quaker’s motion to suppress statements, in part. (Id.). Because Quaker does
not challenge the issues raised in his January 28, 2019 motion to suppress the statements, we will not further
address this motion.
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State’s response. (Doc. No. 82). On March 8, 2019, the trial court denied Quaker’s
motion to suppress the stop of the vehicle. (Doc. No. 86).
{¶6} On March 28, 2019, Quaker, under a negotiated plea agreement,
withdrew his not guilty plea and entered a plea of no contest to the count in the
indictment. (Doc. Nos. 89, 90). In exchange, the State agreed to make no
sentencing recommendation. (Doc. No. 89). The trial court accepted Quaker’s no
contest plea, found him guilty, and ordered a presentence investigation. (Doc. No.
90). On May 10, 2019, the trial court sentenced Quaker to four years’ imprisonment.
(Doc. No. 94).
{¶7} On June 4, 2019, Quaker filed a notice of appeal. (Doc. No. 99). He
raises three assignments of error for our review, which we will address together.
Assignment of Error No. I
The trial court erred in overruling the defendant-appellant’s
motion to suppress as law enforcement lacked reasonable
suspicion to stop the defendant-appellant.
Assignment of Error No. II
The trial court erred in overruling the defendant-appellant’s
motion to suppress as law enforcement lacked probable cause to
conduct a warrantless search of the defendant-appellant’s vehicle.
Assignment of Error No. III
The trial court erred in overruling the defendant-appellant’s
motion to suppress as law enforcement lacked probable cause to
arrest the defendant-appellant.
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{¶8} In his first assignment of error, Quaker argues the trial court erred by
denying his motion to suppress the stop of the vehicle because Trooper Holden did
not have reasonable and articulable suspicion that he was operating the motor
vehicle in violation of the law. (Appellant’s Brief at 12). Specifically, Quaker
argues that because Trooper Holden did not have probable cause to stop the vehicle
for a violation of R.C. 4511.34, which is commonly referred to as “following too
close,” the trial court erred by concluding that the stop of his vehicle was
constitutionally valid. (Id. at 12-15). In his second assignment of error, Quaker
argues that the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress because law
enforcement lacked probable cause to conduct a warrantless search of his vehicle.
(Id. at 15). Specifically, Quaker contends that law enforcement did not have
probable cause to search the trunk of the vehicle because law enforcement did not
detect the odor of raw marijuana in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. (Id.
at 15-18). In his third assignment of error, Quaker argues that the trial court erred
in overruling his motion to suppress because law enforcement did not have probable
cause to arrest him. (Id. at 18-19).
{¶9} The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees
“[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,
against unreasonable searches and seizures * * *.” “‘The primary purpose of the
Fourth Amendment is to impose a standard of reasonableness upon the exercise of
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discretion by law enforcement officers in order to “safeguard the privacy and
security of individuals against arbitrary [governmental] invasions.”’” State v. Kerr,
3d Dist. Allen No. 1-17-01, 2017-Ohio-8516, ¶ 12, quoting State v. Carlson, 102
Ohio App.3d 585, 592 (9th Dist.1995), quoting Delaware v. Prouse, 440 U.S. 648,
654, 99 S.Ct. 1391 (1979). “‘The Fourth Amendment does not proscribe all stateinitiated searches and seizures; it merely proscribes those which are unreasonable.’”
Id., quoting Florida v. Jimeno, 500 U.S. 248, 250, 111 S.Ct. 1801 (1991), citing
Illinois v. Rodriguez, 497 U.S. 177, 110 S.Ct. 2793 (1990). “Thus, ‘[t]he touchstone
of the Fourth Amendment is reasonableness.’” Id., quoting Jimeno at 250.
{¶10} “Temporary detention of individuals during the stop of an automobile
by the police, even if only for a brief period and for a limited purpose, constitutes a
‘seizure’ of ‘persons’ within the meaning” of the Fourth Amendment. Whren v.
United States, 517 U.S. 806, 809-810, 116 S.Ct. 1769 (1996), citing Prouse at 653,
99 S.Ct. 1391, United States v. Martinez-Fuerte, 428 U.S. 543, 556, 96 S.Ct. 3074
(1976), and United States v. Brignoni-Ponce, 422 U.S. 873, 878, 95 S.Ct. 2574
(1975). Accordingly, “[a]n automobile stop is * * * subject to the constitutional
imperative that it not be ‘unreasonable’ under the circumstances.” Id. at 810. An
automobile stop based on probable cause that a criminal violation, including a minor
traffic violation, has occurred or was occurring “is not unreasonable, and * * * an
officer who makes a traffic stop based on probable cause acts in an objectively
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reasonable manner.” Dayton v. Erickson, 76 Ohio St.3d 3, 11-12 (1996). In this
context, “[p]robable cause, ‘means less than evidence which would justify
condemnation,’ so that only the ‘probability, and not a prima facie showing of
criminal activity is the standard of probable cause.’” State v. Gonzales, 3d Dist.
Seneca Nos. 13-13-31 and 13-13-32, 2014-Ohio-557, ¶ 18, quoting State v. George,
45 Ohio St.3d 325, 329 (1989).
{¶11} Concerning the stop of Quaker’s vehicle, the trial court found, in
relevant part, as follows:
At the hearing, [Trooper] Holden testified that he was in his patrol car
in a stationary position in the median of I-75 when the defendant
passed him in the far right southbound lane. The defendant at that
time was approximately 1 ½ to 2 car lengths behind another vehicle.
The road conditions were wet, as it was raining outside. The initial
sighting of the defendant by the trooper is not visible on State’s
Exhibit 1 as the recording begins 90 seconds before the trooper turned
on his lights to actually initiate the traffic stop. However, the video
does reveal the wet road condition, the fact it was raining, and the
defendant behind another vehicle at a fairly short distance. The
trooper also testified that he was able to pace the defendant’s speed at
65-68 mph, that the posted speed limit in that area is 70 mph, and that
Case No. 1-19-33
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he has been trained that a vehicle should keep one car length of
distance from another vehicle for every 10 miles of speed in ideal
conditions in order to ensure adequate space and time to stop if
necessary.
(Doc. No. 86).
{¶12} We conclude that competent, credible evidence supports the trial
court’s findings with respect to the circumstances surrounding the stop of Quaker’s
vehicle. At the February 14, 2019 suppression hearing, Trooper Holden, a canine
handler and interdiction officer with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, testified that
on March 29, 2018, he was in his patrol vehicle sitting stationary in the median
crossover of Interstate 75 in Allen County, Ohio patrolling the two lanes of
southbound traffic when he observed two vehicles in the right-hand lane approach
his location. (Feb. 14, 2019 Tr. at 6-9). Trooper Holden testified that the vehicles
attracted his attention because the small passenger car was closely trailing the SUV
despite the fact that the left lane of traffic was “wide open” and clear of traffic. (Id.
at 9). Trooper Holden testified that when the small passenger vehicle passed his
location, the vehicle was trailing the SUV at a distance of approximately one and
one-half to two car lengths. (Id.).
{¶13} Trooper Holden testified that shortly after the vehicles passed his
location, he began to pursue the small passenger vehicle. (Id. at 9-10). Trooper
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Holden stated that by the time he caught up to the small passenger vehicle, it had
increased the distance between it and the SUV in front of it to a distance of
approximately two to two and one-half car lengths. (Id. at 10). Trooper Holden
testified that the speed limit of the area is 70 miles per hour, and that although he
did not initially check the speed of the small passenger vehicle, he subsequently
paced the passenger vehicle and determined that it was traveling at a speed of
approximately 65 to 68 miles per hour. (Id. at 12). Trooper Holden testified that at
the time of his observations, it was raining, and he described the roads as “fairly
wet.” (Id. at 7-8). Trooper Holden stated that he initiated a traffic stop of the small
passenger vehicle for following the SUV too closely. (Id. at 10). He identified
Quaker as the driver and sole occupant of the small passenger vehicle. (Id. at 8-9).
{¶14} Trooper Holden described a general guideline he uses to assist in
determining whether a vehicle is traveling too close to the vehicle in front of it. (Id.
at 16-18). According to Trooper Holden, under this guideline, for every ten miles
per hour that a vehicle is traveling, a vehicle should give itself one car length of
space between it and the vehicle in front of it. (Id. at 18). Trooper Holden stated
that the guideline is “based on pretty ideal conditions,” including a dry roadway.
(Id. at 19). According to Trooper Holden, rain increases stopping distance and can
increase reaction time. (Id.).
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{¶15} Trooper Holden testified that his patrol vehicle is equipped with a
camera that was in working order on the day of the incident and identified State’s
Exhibit 1 as his patrol vehicle footage of the incident. (Id. at 13). (See State’s Ex.
1). Trooper Holden stated that the computer system saves and uploads the video
footage starting ninety seconds before he activates his overhead lights. (Feb. 14,
2019 Tr. at 13-14). He further testified that State’s Exhibit 1 did not include his
initial observation of the two vehicles because it occurred more than 90 seconds
before he activated his overhead lights to initiate the stop of Quaker’s vehicle. (Id.
at 14). (See State’s Ex. 1).
{¶16} State’s Exhibit 1 begins as Trooper Holden’s vehicle is traveling
southbound on Interstate 75. (State’s Ex. 1). In the dashboard footage, two vehicles
are depicted traveling in the right lane of travel. (Id.). In the video recording, a
small gray vehicle is seen closely following a dark-colored SUV. (Id.). As the
recording continues, the small gray vehicle increases the distance between the
vehicle and the dark-colored SUV it is trailing. (Id.). In addition, the recording
reflects that in the time preceding the stop of the vehicle, it was raining and the
windshield wipers of Trooper Holden’s patrol vehicle were activated. (Id.).
{¶17} Therefore, competent, credible evidence supports the trial court’s
factual findings concerning Trooper Holden’s stop of Quaker’s vehicle. See State
v. Craw, 3d Dist. Mercer No. 10-17-09, 2018-Ohio-1769, ¶ 36, citing State v.
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Thompson, 7th Dist. Jefferson Nos. 98 JE 28 and 98 JE 29, 2001 WL 69197, *5-6
(Jan. 24, 2001). Based on these findings, the trial court concluded that the stop of
Quaker’s vehicle was constitutionally permissible because Trooper Holden
provided “specific and articulable facts” to warrant the stop of Quaker’s vehicle for
a violation of R.C. 4511.34 and had probable cause to believe that Quaker
committed a traffic violation. (Doc. No. 86).
{¶18} We conclude that the trial court did not err by holding that Trooper
Holden had probable cause to stop Quaker’s vehicle for a violation of R.C. 4511.34.
Since the required reasonable articulable suspicion standard is a lower standard than
that of probable cause, it is clear that Trooper Holden had a basis for initiating a
traffic stop of Quaker’s vehicle. See State v. Mays, 119 Ohio St.3d 406, 2008-Ohio4539 ¶ 23.
{¶19} R.C. 4511.34 provides in pertinent part:
The operator of a motor vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley shall not
follow another vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley more closely than
is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such
vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley, and the traffic upon and the
condition of the highway.
R.C. 4511.34(A). “Although R.C. 4511.34(A) does not provide a specific standard
for determining when a motorist is following another vehicle more closely than is
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reasonable and prudent, numerous courts have concluded that a motorist’s failure to
follow another vehicle at a distance greater than one car length for every ten miles
per hour the motorist’s vehicle is traveling may, in some circumstances, indicate
that the motorist is in violation of R.C. 4511.34.” State v. Holmes, 3d Dist. Allen
No. 1-18-52, 2019-Ohio-2485, ¶ 29, citing State v. Ward, 4th Dist. Washington No.
10CA30, 2011-Ohio-1261, ¶ 16-17, State v. Kelly, 188 Ohio App.3d 842, 2010-
Ohio-3560, ¶ 18-20 (12th Dist.), State v. Stokes, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 07AP-960,
2008-Ohio-5222, ¶ 24-25, State v. Meza, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-03-1223, 2005-
Ohio-1221, ¶ 19, and United States v. Dukes, 257 Fed.Appx. 855, 858 (6th
Cir.2007). “However, regardless of this ‘car-length’ standard, ‘[a]s is clear, the
statute is couched in relative terms, and violations depend upon the circumstances
of a given case.’” Id., quoting State v. Mason-Cowan, 10th Dist. Franklin No.
11AP-261, 2012-Ohio-1074, ¶ 7, citing State v. Gonzalez, 43 Ohio App.3d 59, 62
(6th Dist.1987). “‘An officer’s direct observation that a vehicle is following another
vehicle too closely provides probable cause to initiate a lawful traffic stop.’” Id.,
quoting Kelly at ¶ 15, citing State v. Perry, 12th Dist. Preble No. CA2004-11-016,
2005-Ohio-6041, ¶ 12.
{¶20} Here, the record supports the trial court’s findings that Trooper Holden
observed Quaker’s vehicle following the SUV vehicle at a distance of one and onehalf to two car lengths and that Quaker’s vehicle was traveling in excess of 65 miles
Case No. 1-19-33
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per hour as it trailed the SUV. Given that Trooper Holden observed Quaker’s
vehicle following another vehicle at a close distance and at a high speed while it
was raining, Trooper Holden had enough information to determine that, when
considering the speed of Quaker’s vehicle and the condition of the highway, there
was a sufficiently high probability that Quaker was not following the vehicle at a
reasonable and prudent distance. Thus, because the stop of Quaker’s vehicle was
supported by probable cause, the trial court did not err by concluding that the stop
was constitutionally valid. See Holmes at ¶ 30 (holding that a law enforcement
officer had probable cause to initiate a traffic stop of the defendant’s vehicle for a
violation of R.C. 4511.34 where the vehicle maintained less than two car lengths’
distance behind a commercial vehicle during rainy weather conditions).
{¶21} Nevertheless, Quaker argues that the trial court erred because Trooper
Holden’s testimony is inconsistent with State’s Exhibit 1. Specifically, Quaker
argues that State’s Exhibit 1 depicts the two relevant vehicles as they pass under an
overpass, and that based upon the time that elapsed between the two vehicles
reaching the overpass, his vehicle had to be traveling more than one and one-half to
two car lengths behind the SUV it was trailing. We disagree.
{¶22} Trooper Holden testified that while sitting stationary in the median, he
initially observed Quaker traveling one and one-half to two car lengths behind an
SUV. Trooper Holden stated that he then pulled onto the highway and followed
Case No. 1-19-33
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Quaker for some time before initiating the stop. Moreover, Trooper Holden testified
that the footage depicted in State’s Exhibit 1 began 90 seconds before he activated
his lights and initiated the stop of Quaker’s vehicle. He further clarified that the
initial violation was not depicted in State’s Exhibit 1 because it occurred more than
90 seconds prior to the time he activated his lights. Trooper Holden also testified
that Quaker eventually slowed down and increased the distance between his vehicle
and the vehicle in front of him. Thus, we do not find that Trooper Holden’s
testimony is inconsistent with State’s Exhibit 1.
{¶23} Quaker also argues that Trooper Holden’s stop of Quaker’s vehicle
was improper because “most vehicles passing by the scene of the traffic stop and on
the other side of the highway maintained the same distance between vehicles, and
usually much less, than the clearance of [Quaker’s] vehicle.” (Appellant’s Brief at
14). We disagree. First, as detailed above, Trooper Holden testified that the initial
violation was not depicted in State’s Exhibit 1. Thus, we cannot compare the
distances maintained by traffic observed in State’s Exhibit 1 to Trooper Holden’s
initial observation of Quaker’s vehicle. Moreover, even if other vehicles depicted
in State’s Exhibit 1 were following too closely, that does not mean that Quaker was
not following too close or that probable cause did not exist to initiate a traffic stop
of Quaker’s vehicle.
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{¶24} Having concluded that the trial court did not err by holding that
probable cause supported the stop of Quaker’s vehicle, we next determine whether
the trial court erred by holding that the warrantless search of Quaker’s vehicle was
constitutional.
{¶25} Concerning the search of Quaker’s vehicle, the trial court found, in
relevant part, as follows:
As the passenger car passed his location he noticed that the driver
concealed his head and face behind the pillar of the vehicle between
the front and back seat and never looked over at the officer. He also
noticed that the left lane was free of traffic as the Defendant’s vehicle
was following closely as set forth.
Upon approaching what was found to be the Defendant’s vehicle and
upon entering into a discussion with the driver he could smell the odor
of burnt marijuana coming from the subject vehicle. Information was
provided by the driver with respect to who had rented the agreement
[sic] and the Trooper became aware of the fact that the rental
agreement was expired and that the driver was not the renter.
The Trooper asked Defendant to exit the vehicle and undertook a pat
down of defendant for his own safety. The Trooper noticed two
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comparatively large hard objects on the Defendant which turned out
to be wads of cash in smaller bills.
Inside the vehicle was a [dominoes] box that can clearly be seen in the
Exhibits numbered 2 and 3. The [dominoes] box was stuffed near the
bottom of the seat described at the base of the seat near a hard portion
of the same. The Trooper saw raw marijuana residue inside the
[dominoes] box. The Trooper advised the driver, Defendant herein,
that he could smell the odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside
the vehicle and that he would be [conducting] a probable cause search
of the vehicle. A second Trooper, Trooper Stewart, arrived at the
scene to assist in the probable cause of the search of the vehicle. The
search of the trunk of the vehicle indicated that there was a backpack
inside the trunk. The backpack contained t-shirts and a hard object
which upon the Trooper’s procurement appeared to be a drug related
substance based upon the way it was packaged and from its
appearance. The Defendant was put under arrest.
(Doc. No. 39).
{¶26} We conclude that competent, credible evidence supports the trial
court’s findings with respect to the circumstances surrounding the search of
Quaker’s vehicle. At the October 2, 2018 suppression hearing, Trooper Holden
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testified that after he initiated the stop of Quaker’s vehicle, he approached the
vehicle from the passenger-side door so that he was not exposed to the highway
traffic. (Oct. 2, 2018 Tr. at 9-10). Trooper Holden stated that upon making contact
with Quaker he immediately detected the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from
the inside passenger compartment. (Id. at 10). Upon request for his identification,
Quaker provided Trooper Holden his Tennessee driver’s license and a rental
agreement for the vehicle. (Id. at 11). Upon inspection of the rental agreement,
Trooper Holden noticed that the rental agreement was expired by one day. (Id. at
12). Additionally, Trooper Holden observed that Quaker was not the party named
on the rental agreement. (Id. at 11). Moreover, no additional drivers were named
on the rental agreement. (Id. at 12). Trooper Holden stated that Quaker explained
to him that the party to the rental agreement was his girlfriend, Marquita Webb
(“Webb”). (Id.). Trooper Holden testified that in his experience, an expired, thirdparty rental agreement can be an indicator of criminal activity. (Id. at 12-14).
{¶27} Trooper Holden asked Quaker to exit the rental vehicle and sit in the
backseat of his patrol vehicle, and he asked Quaker to bring his phone so that they
could call Webb regarding whether Quaker had her permission to drive the vehicle.
(Id. at 15-16). Trooper Holden testified that he then walked Quaker to the front of
the patrol vehicle and conducted a pat down. (Id. at 16). During the pat down, he
felt two “large wads” in Quaker’s front pants pockets that he suspected were wads
Case No. 1-19-33
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of currency. (Id.). Trooper Holden testified that carrying large amounts of currency
can be an indicator of criminal activity. (Id.). Trooper Holden did not remove the
items from Quaker’s pockets at that time. (Id.).
{¶28} Once Quaker was seated in Trooper Holden’s patrol vehicle, Trooper
Holden informed him that he was going to search the vehicle because he could smell
burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. (Id. at 17). Trooper Holden
observed that Quaker’s passenger side window was rolled down, despite the fact
that it was raining. (Id. at 18). Trooper Holden informed Quaker that he was going
to roll up Quaker’s passenger window, and Quaker indicated that it was permissible
for Trooper Holden to do so. (Id. at 18-19). Thereafter, Trooper Holden opened the
passenger side door of Quaker’s car. (Id. at 19). Upon opening the door, he
immediately observed a dominoes case without a lid on it pushed against the base
of the passenger seat and the door. (Id. at 19-22). Trooper Holden observed raw
marijuana residue on top of the dominoes inside the case. (Id. at 22-23). In support
of his observation that the dominoes case contained raw marijuana residue or
“shake,” Trooper Holden testified that through his employment, he has observed
raw marijuana residue “too many [times] to count,” but “no less than five hundred
times.” (Id. at 23-24, 26). In fact, Trooper Holden keeps raw marijuana residue in
his patrol vehicle as a training aid for his canine, so he sees it “quite frequently.”
(Id. at 23).
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{¶29} Once additional law enforcement officers arrived on the scene, they
conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle on the roadside. (Id. at 26).
Trooper Holden testified that, aside from the raw marijuana residue in the dominoes
case that he previously observed, he did not find additional contraband in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle. (Id.). While searching the trunk of the
vehicle, Trooper Holden located a black backpack. (Id.). When Trooper Holden
opened the backpack, he observed several brand new white t-shirts. (Id. at 27-28).
Trooper Holden squeezed the t-shirts and found a “hard object” inside one. (Id. at
28). When Trooper Holden looked inside, he discovered a vacuum sealed bag,
approximately the size of a baseball, wrapped in duct tape. (Id.). Trooper Holden
looked inside through the vacuum-sealed packaging, and observed a “chalk greylike substance” which, through his training and experience, he suspected to be
heroin. (Id.). The State also presented photos of the black backpack and its
contents. (Id. at 27-31). (See State’s Exs. 4-6).
{¶30} After the law enforcement officers located the suspected contraband
in the backpack, they placed Quaker under arrest and transported him to their post.
(Oct. 2, 2018 Tr. at 31-32). Trooper Holden testified that a preliminary test was
performed on the substance at post, which came back with a presumptive positive
result for opiates. (Id. at 31). The crime lab subsequently conducted more thorough
testing on the substance and determined it was fentanyl. (Id.).
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{¶31} In addition to Trooper Holden’s testimony, the State provided Trooper
Holden’s dashboard footage of the events. (Id. at 4). (See State’s Ex. 1). The
dashboard footage is consistent with Trooper Holden’s testimony of the events. (See
State’s Ex. 1).
{¶32} Based on these findings, the trial court concluded that law enforcement
officers had probable cause to search the passenger compartment and trunk of
Quaker’s vehicle. (Doc. No. 39). Specifically, the trial court concluded that the
odor of burnt marijuana and visual finding of raw marijuana residue in the dominoes
case, “coupled with (1) the traffic violation, (2) the furtive motion of the defendant
in moving behind the center post, (3) the existence of an expired rental agreement,
(4) the wad of currency and (5) the rental agreement being in another name other
than the defendant constitute the [sic] sufficient probable cause for a search of the
entire vehicle.” (Id.).
{¶33} We conclude that the trial court did not err by holding that law
enforcement had probable cause to conduct a warrantless search of the passenger
compartment and trunk of Quaker’s vehicle. “‘“Once a law enforcement officer has
probable cause to believe that a vehicle contains contraband, he or she may search
a validly stopped motor vehicle based upon the well-established automobile
exception to the warrant requirement.”’” State v. Gartrell, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-
14-02, 2014-Ohio-5203, ¶ 57, quoting State v. Minyoung, 3d Dist. Van Wert No.
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15-11-11, 2012-Ohio-411, ¶ 25, quoting State v. Moore, 90 Ohio St.3d 47, 51
(2000). “‘“[T]he smell of marijuana, alone, by a person qualified to recognize the
odor, is sufficient to establish probable cause to search a motor vehicle, pursuant to
the automobile exception to the warrant requirement.”’” Id., quoting State v.
Runyon, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2010-05-032, 2011-Ohio-263, ¶ 14, quoting
Moore at 48. “‘“There need be no other tangible evidence to justify a warrantless
search of a vehicle.”’” Id., quoting Runyon at ¶ 14, quoting Moore at 48.
{¶34} However, “‘[a] trunk and a passenger compartment of an automobile
are subject to different standards of probable cause to conduct searches.’” Id. at ¶
58, quoting State v. Farris, 109 Ohio St.3d 519, 2006-Ohio-3255, ¶ 51. “‘The odor
of burnt marijuana in the passenger compartment of a vehicle does not, standing
alone, establish probable cause for a warrantless search of the trunk of the vehicle.’”
(Emphasis sic.) Id., quoting Farris at ¶ 52, citing United States v. Nielsen, 9 F.3d
1487 (10th Cir.1993). “‘However, where an officer detects a strong odor of raw
marijuana, but no large amount is found within the passenger compartment of the
vehicle, the officer has probable cause to search the trunk,’ including the trunk’s
contents.” (Emphasis sic.) Id., quoting State v. Price, 6th Dist. Sandusky No. S11-037, 2013-Ohio-130, ¶ 16, citing State v. Gonzales, 6th Dist. Wood No. WD-07-
060, 2009-Ohio-168 and United States v. Ross, 456 U.S. 798, 825, 102 S.Ct. 2157
(1982). “In addition, even the smell of burnt marijuana, if coupled with ‘other
Case No. 1-19-33
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evidence’ of drug activity, such as large amounts of cash, can serve as probable
cause justifying a search of an automobile’s trunk.” (Emphasis sic.) Id., quoting
Price at ¶ 19 and State v. Franklin, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99806, 2014-Ohio-1422,
¶ 24.
{¶35} Here, Quaker argues that “there was no action by [Quaker] that would
have created probable cause to allow the trooper to, without a warrant, search the
trunk of the vehicle.” (Appellant’s Brief at 16). In support of his position, Quaker
analogizes this case to State v. Farris, in which the Supreme Court of Ohio held
that, standing alone, the odor of burnt marijuana in the passenger compartment of a
vehicle does not establish probable cause for the warrantless search of the trunk of
the vehicle. Farris at ¶ 52. However, Quaker’s reliance on Farris is misplaced.
{¶36} In Farris, after initiating a traffic stop of Farris’s vehicle for speeding,
the law enforcement officer detected “a light odor of burnt marijuana” emanating
from inside the vehicle. Id. at ¶ 1. Thereafter, law enforcement officers searched
the passenger compartment and trunk of Farris’s vehicle. Id. at ¶ 5. Although the
officers found no contraband in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, law
enforcement officers found drug paraphernalia in the vehicle’s trunk, and Farris was
subsequently charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Id.
Farris filed a motion to suppress the drug paraphernalia seized from the search on
the basis that law enforcement officers did not have probable cause to search the
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trunk of the vehicle. Id. at ¶ 6. The trial court overruled Farris’s motion to suppress
and found that law enforcement officers had probable cause to search the trunk of
the vehicle based solely on the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the passenger
compartment. Id. The appellate court upheld the trial court’s decision with respect
to the search of the vehicle. Id. at ¶ 7. However, the Supreme Court of Ohio found
that aside from the odor of burnt marijuana in the vehicle, no other factors were
present to justify the search of the vehicle. Id. at ¶ 52. Accordingly, the Supreme
Court of Ohio reversed the appellate court’s decision with respect to the motion to
suppress the drug paraphernalia. Id. at ¶ 52-53.
{¶37} In contrast to the search at issue in Farris, although Trooper Holden
did detect the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the passenger compartment
of the vehicle, Trooper Holden also observed a number of additional indicators of
drug activity which, coupled with the smell of burnt marijuana, did provide law
enforcement officers with probable cause to conduct a search of the vehicle’s trunk.
In addition to the odor of burnt marijuana, Trooper Holden also observed marijuana
residue in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, he felt what he suspected to be
large wads of currency in Quaker’s pockets, and Quaker presented Trooper Holden
with an expired, third-party rental agreement for the vehicle. Thus, we find that law
enforcement officers did have probable cause to search both the passenger
compartment and trunk of the vehicle. See Gartrell, 2014-Ohio-5203, at ¶ 58.
Case No. 1-19-33
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{¶38} Accordingly, Quaker’s first and second assignments of error are
overruled.
{¶39} In Quaker’s third assignment of error, he argues that the trial court
erred in overruling his motion to suppress because law enforcement officers lacked
probable cause to arrest him. Specifically, Quaker argues that the vacuum packed,
duct-taped item found in the backpack did not provide the officers with probable
cause to arrest him because it was not field tested until after his arrest.
{¶40} However, we note that, in his motions to suppress or at the suppression
hearings, Quaker did not argue that law enforcement officers lacked probable cause
to arrest him. (See Doc. Nos. 27, 39, 72, 73, 86). In fact, the record is devoid of
any argument regarding the validity of his arrest. “‘It is well-settled law that issues
not raised in the trial court may not be raised for the first time on appeal because
such issues are deemed waived.’” State v. Born, 3d Dist. Hardin No. 6-17-13, 2018-
Ohio-350, ¶ 10, quoting State v. Barrett, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 11AP-375, 2011-
Ohio-4986, ¶ 13. Thus, because Quaker failed to raise the issue regarding his arrest
in the trial court, the matter is not properly before us on appeal.
{¶41} Accordingly, Quaker’s third assignment of error is overruled.
Outcome: Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the
particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: