Warrantless Search – Suppression of Evidence

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7^th Circuit Court of Appeals

Case Name: United States of America v. Travis Beechler

Case No.: 21-3379

Officials: Rovner, Hamilton, and St. Eve, Circuit Judges.

Focus: Warrantless Search – Suppression of Evidence

A jury convicted Travis Beechler of drug trafficking and firearms offenses based on evidence gathered pursuant to a home detention compliance check. Beechler alleged that the search was an unlawful warrantless law enforcement search disguised as a home detention compliance check, and thus violated his Fourth Amendment rights. Viewing the totality of the circumstances, Beechler’s expectation of privacy was minimal, and the government’s legitimate needs were significant; therefore, the Seventh Circuit agrees with the district court that the search did not violate his Fourth Amendment rights. The Seventh Circuit also affirms the district court’s denial of Beechler’s motion for a judgment of acquittal and for a new trial and affirms the district court’s sentencing decision.

Affirmed.

Decided 05/19/23

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