State v. Roggenbuck
387 S.W.3d 376
| Mo. | 2012Background
- Detective obtained a search warrant for Roggenbuck's residence and computer based on an informant's claim of sexual abuse by Roggenbuck and presence of child pornography.
- Warrant application described alleged abuse, Roggenbuck's residence setup, and alcohol kept to coax behavior with boys; psychologist observed a large amount of alcohol and a massager at the home.
- Forensic analysis recovered five different child-pornography images saved in a My Pictures folder under a user account named 'Robin,' with a Roggenbuck photo also present.
- Roggenbuck was convicted by a jury of five counts of possession of child pornography and sentenced as a prior and persistent offender to five consecutive seven-year terms.
- Roggenbuck moved to suppress the evidence, challenged double jeopardy, and challenged admission of resumes as hearsay related to the computer evidence.
- The trial court denied suppression and Roggenbuck’s other challenges; on appeal, the court affirmed the judgment.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probable cause for search warrant | Roggenbuck argues the affidavit failed to show probable cause. | Roggenbuck contends the magistrate erred in relying on improper or insufficient facts. | Probable cause supported the warrant; court did not err in denying suppression. |
| Double jeopardy and unit of prosecution | Five convictions violate double jeopardy as a single possession of multiple images. | Counts were separate offenses because images were acquired at different times; jury need not find timing. | No double jeopardy violation; each time-separated possession constituted a separate offense. |
| Admission of resumes as hearsay | Resumes and related computer evidence corroborate possession by linking access and control. | Resume evidence is hearsay and prejudicial to guilt. | Resumes were not hearsay and admissible to show access and control; no abuse of discretion. |
Key Cases Cited
- State v. Neher, 213 S.W.3d 44 (Mo. banc 2007) (probable cause standard and deference to issuing magistrate)
- Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213 (U.S. Supreme Court 1983) (probable cause requires practical, common-sense assessment)
- State v. Berry, 801 S.W.2d 64 (Mo. banc 1990) (great deference to initial probable cause ruling)
- State v. Norman, 133 S.W.3d 151 (Mo. App. 2004) (standard for reviewing suppression rulings)
- Liberty, 370 S.W.3d 537 (Mo. banc 2012) (plain error review for unpreserved double jeopardy claims; unit of prosecution analysis)
- State v. Sanchez, 186 S.W.3d 260 (Mo. banc 2006) (unit-of-prosecution considerations for multiple offenses)
- Glover v. State, 225 S.W.3d 425 (Mo. banc 2007) (constructive possession and control over premises)
- State v. Warren, 304 S.W.3d 796 (Mo. App. 2010) (evidence of access and control in joint-occupancy settings)
- State v. Taylor, 238 S.W.3d 145 (Mo. banc 2007) (elements of offense and jury trial requirements)
