Defendant was convicted, after stipulated bench trial, of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Court properly denied Defendant's motion to suppress evidence discovered during a traffic stop. Officer testified that female passenger told another officer that Defendant had concealed something in his buttocks. Defendant was then searched a 3rd time, and officer retrieved a Baggie, containing drugs. Police dog made positive alert on vehicle with Defendant inside, so that Defendant could be detained for reasonable amount of time while police did drug investigation. Officers may extend a traffic stop as long as extension is based on evidence leading to reasonable suspicion of other criminal activity. Defendant's initial consensual search did not dissipate reasonable suspicion Defendant was engaged in criminal activity. Searches were reasonable based on police dog's alert and the other information available to officers. (KNECHT and HOLDER WHITE, concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Motion to Suppress