United States v. McKay

• Decision Date: 04 September 1924
• Docket Number: No. 6125.,6125.
• Citation: 2 F.2d 257
• Parties: UNITED STATES v. McKAY et al.
• Court: U.S. District Court — District of Nevada

2 F.2d 257 (1924)

UNITED STATES v. McKAY et al.

No. 6125.

District Court, D. Nevada.

September 4, 1924.

George Springmeyer, U. S. Atty., and Charles A. Cantwell, Asst. U. S. Atty., both of Reno, Nev., and George A. Whiteley, Asst. U. S. Atty., of Ely, Nev.

Hoyt, Norcross, Thatcher & Woodburn, of Reno, Nev., for defendants.

FARRINGTON, District Judge.

Defendants have filed a motion asking a review of the orders made by United States Commissioner Warren on an attempted traverse of the grounds on which a search warrant had been issued by the commissioner, authorizing the prohibition director and the prohibition agents for Nevada, or either or any of them, to search the premises known as James McKay's place in Reno, Nev. The affidavit for the search warrant was dated December 14, 1923, and signed "Frances Hall." Search was made December 16th, and a large amount of liquor seized.

In the affidavit affiant states that on or about December 2, 1923, she purchased from Mrs. James McKay on said premises intoxicating liquor containing one-half of 1 per cent. or more of alcohol by volume, and fit for use as a beverage, and that she then and there observed on said premises a large quantity of such liquor, which was then and there stored for the purpose of sale. The warrant was executed by one James Robb, general prohibition agent. January 8th the affidavit, search warrant, and return thereon were filed in this court. December 27, 1923, an information was filed charging defendants with the possession of whisky, wine, and beer on or about December 16, 1923, and averring that they were then maintaining a common nuisance on said premises. On the same day, December 27th, defendants were arrested and brought into the District Court for arraignment. Not until 2 days later, and 13 days or more after the search warrant had been executed, did the defendants present to the commissioner their traverse of the search warrant. In it they controverted and denied each and every of the grounds set forth and contained in said affidavit, and in the search warrant issued in pursuance thereof. The matter came on to be heard before the commissioner January 4th, 1924. The commissioner declined to grant the relief prayed, because the case was no longer within her jurisdiction.

The failure of defendants to demand an investigation of the grounds on which the search warrant issued for more than 13 days after its date and execution, and until after an information had been filed in the United States District Court, raises a serious question as to the power of the commissioner to act further in the matter. Defendants had certainly been afforded ample time within which to notify the commissioner and the district attorney that the grounds on which the search warrant was based were disputed. It is wholly inconsistent with recognized rules of legal procedure that a commissioner, after a case has been removed from his jurisdiction, can determine what evidence may and what may not be presented in court. The information charging defendants with a violation of the National Prohibition Act had been filed in court. The filing of that document was directed by the court after reading the affidavit of Prohibition Agent Smith, in which it was stated that in company with Agents Robb, Gloss, and Charlton he had searched said premises December 16, 1923, and had found therein whisky, wine, and beer. This affidavit was the evidence on which the court acted.

Can it be contended that the commissioner, after the information had thus been filed, had the power to suppress the proof on which it was based, and on which the court acted? If the commissioner has such power, when does the right to exercise it cease? Can he thus act during or after the trial on the information in the District Court? These questions answer themselves. A person from whose possession property is taken in execution of a search warrant has the undoubted right to avail himself of the remedies provided in sections 15 and 16, title 11, of the Espionage Act (Comp. St. 1918, Comp. St. Ann. Supp. 1919, §§ 10496¼o, 10496¼p), in so far as they are not modified or withdrawn by section 25, title 2, of the National Prohibition Act (Comp. St. Ann. Supp. 1923, § 10138½m), provided he acts with reasonable diligence, and before the court takes jurisdiction.

The objection that the officers designated in and to whom the search warrant was addressed were not authorized under the law to execute it is not well taken. Raine v. United States (C. C. A.) 299 Fed. 407; United States v. American Brewing Co. (D. C.) 296 Fed. 772-776; United States v. Montalbano (D. C.) 298 Fed. 667; United States v. Keller (D. C.) 288 Fed. 204; United States v. Daison (D. C.) 288 Fed. 199; United States v. Syrek (D. C.) 290 Fed. 820. According to the affidavit for search warrant, the sale of intoxicating liquor occurred December 2d; but the affidavit was not sworn to until December 14th, 12 days later. It is argued that the sale on the 2d is not evidence of possession 12 days later.

In section 11, title 11, of the Espionage Act (section 10496¼k), it is provided that "a search warrant must be executed and returned to the judge or commissioner who issued it within 10 days after its date; after the expiration of this time the warrant, unless executed, is void." The absence of such a limitation as to the lapse of time between the purchase of liquor and the making of an affidavit indicates that in the opinion of the Congress this was a matter which should be left to the discretion of the judge or commissioner, who determines whether there is or is not probable cause. There...