United States v. Terry Robbins, 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 13310

911 hang-up call leads officers to a property; caller identified as Carl A. Nelson, a business contact; 911 records did not reveal business association.
Officers Hoeger and Holst approach the residence, first at the front door, then walk the breezeway after failing to find occupants.
Gate to breezeway is described as wide open; officers deny opening it; district court credited their testimony on credibility.
odor of marijuana detected at the front door after a renewed knock; a K-9 indicated at the door, prompting a search warrant.
Following the state warrant, investigators uncover a marijuana growing operation with 297 plants; Robbins owned the property per county records.
Robbins moved to suppress the evidence; district court denied; Robbins pled guilty conditionally reserving appeal on suppression; sentence 120 months.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether warrantless entry into curtilage was reasonable	Robbins; entry intrudes curtilage	State; legitimate objective; limited intrusion	Yes; reasonable under circumstances
Whether the perimeter and knock-and-talk were permissible before warrant	Robbins; no consent; curtilage protected	State; minimal intrusion; no knock at front door after failed contact	Yes; reasonable under Raines/Anderson framework

United States v. Weston, 443 F.3d 661 (8th Cir. 2006) (curtilage includes home privacy; drive-by entry reasonable when limited)
United States v. Dunn, 480 U.S. 294 (1987) (defines curtilage and privacy expectations)
United States v. Raines, 243 F.3d 419 (8th Cir. 2001) (lawful entry when legitimate objective; limited intrusion)
United States v. Anderson, 552 F.2d 1296 (8th Cir. 1977) (entry into area where occupant is likely present may be justified)
United States v. Wells, 648 F.3d 671 (8th Cir. 2011) (knock-and-talk rule not extended to backyards without reason to believe occupant present)