The Tucson home of Carlos Espinoza was searched pursuant to a warrant which had been based on the information of a confidential informant. The informant had observed Espinoza in possession of heroin and cocaine. There was no mention of appellant Ida Camargo. When the warrant was executed by the police, heroin was found in the dresser drawers and marijuana in a small bottle on top of the dresser. Camargo said that she was the common-law wife of Espinoza. Espinoza claimed that all of the contraband was his. This was contradicted at trial by Camargo’s testimony that she knew of the marijuana, but not of the heroin.
Both were tried for possession of heroin for sale and possession of marijuana. Espinoza was convicted on both counts. Camargo was found guilty of possession of marijuana only.
The Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment of guilt of both appellants Espinoza and Camargo, modifying the sentences imposed only as to the conditions of Espinoza’s probation. State v. Carmargo,
I. Appellant Camargo
Appellant Camargo contends that the trial judge committed error in refusing to require the state to disclose the identity of its confidential informant to her. We disagree.
The defendant bears the burden of showing that the informant is likely to have evidence bearing on the merits of the case. State ex rel. Berger v. Superior Court,
II. Appellant Espinoza
Appellant Espinoza first contends that the search warrant was invalid due to the unreliability of the confidential informant and the staleness of the information, and that his motion to suppress the evidence should have been granted.
In considering the constitutionality of a search warrant based on an informant’s tip, the primary issue is whether the information is inherently reliable. State ex rel. Flournoy v. Wren,
Espinoza was sentenced to serve from two to four years in the Arizona State Prison for the possession of marijuana and placed on probation for ten years for the possession of heroin for sale. The trial judge ordered as conditions of probation that Espinoza be turned over to federal officers for deportation proceedings at the beginning of the probationary period and that he not reenter the United States during that time. The Court of Appeals held that the trial court could not order Espinoza to be deported nor could it condition probation upon not reentering the United States for a period of time.
The federal power over aliens is exclusive and supreme in matters of their deportation and entry into the United States. Hines v. Davidowitz,
The judgments of guilt of both appellants and their sentences are affirmed, except that the conditions of probation of Espinoza are modified as set forth above.
