{
  "id": 8520006,
  "name": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. LUTHER FOWLER",
  "name_abbreviation": "State v. Fowler",
  "decision_date": "1988-03-01",
  "docket_number": "No. 8728SC604",
  "first_page": "10",
  "last_page": "18",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "89 N.C. App. 10"
    }
  ],
  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.",
    "id": 14983,
    "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals"
  },
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": 5,
    "name_long": "North Carolina",
    "name": "N.C."
  },
  "cites_to": [
    {
      "cite": "352 U.S. 432",
      "category": "reporters:federal",
      "reporter": "U.S.",
      "case_ids": [
        6161761
      ],
      "weight": 2,
      "year": 1957,
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/us/352/0432-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "247 F. 2d 745",
      "category": "reporters:federal",
      "reporter": "F.2d",
      "case_ids": [
        397657
      ],
      "weight": 2,
      "year": 1957,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "752"
        },
        {
          "page": "753"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/f2d/247/0745-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "184 S.E. 2d 885",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.E.2d",
      "year": 1971,
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "279 N.C. 728",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "case_ids": [
        8572456,
        8572556,
        8572493,
        8572526,
        8572469
      ],
      "year": 1971,
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/nc/279/0728-01",
        "/nc/279/0728-05",
        "/nc/279/0728-03",
        "/nc/279/0728-04",
        "/nc/279/0728-02"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "183 S.E. 2d 820",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.E.2d",
      "year": 1971,
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "12 N.C. App. 487",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C. App.",
      "case_ids": [
        8550571
      ],
      "year": 1971,
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/nc-app/12/0487-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "194 S.E. 2d 154",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.E.2d",
      "year": 1973,
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "282 N.C. 674",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "case_ids": [
        8568553,
        8568656,
        8568599,
        8568696,
        8568733
      ],
      "year": 1973,
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/nc/282/0674-01",
        "/nc/282/0674-03",
        "/nc/282/0674-02",
        "/nc/282/0674-04",
        "/nc/282/0674-05"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "193 S.E. 2d 341",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.E.2d",
      "year": 1972,
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "16 N.C. App. 712",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C. App.",
      "case_ids": [
        8554462
      ],
      "year": 1972,
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/nc-app/16/0712-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "260 S.E. 2d 419",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.E.2d",
      "year": 1979,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "422",
          "parenthetical": "citations omitted"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "298 N.C. 759",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "case_ids": [
        8574073
      ],
      "year": 1979,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "763",
          "parenthetical": "citations omitted"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/nc/298/0759-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "320 S.E. 2d 31",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.E.2d",
      "year": 1984,
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "70 N.C. App. 403",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C. App.",
      "case_ids": [
        8522522
      ],
      "year": 1984,
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/nc-app/70/0403-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "77 L.Ed. 2d 1453",
      "category": "reporters:federal",
      "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d",
      "year": 1983,
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "463 U.S. 1237",
      "category": "reporters:federal",
      "reporter": "U.S.",
      "case_ids": [
        6264512,
        6263312,
        6263604,
        6263838,
        6263038
      ],
      "year": 1983,
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/us/463/1237-05",
        "/us/463/1237-02",
        "/us/463/1237-03",
        "/us/463/1237-04",
        "/us/463/1237-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "462 U.S. 213",
      "category": "reporters:federal",
      "reporter": "U.S.",
      "case_ids": [
        6187462
      ],
      "weight": 4,
      "year": 1983,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "238-39"
        },
        {
          "page": "548"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/us/462/0213-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "319 S.E. 2d 254",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.E.2d",
      "weight": 3,
      "year": 1984,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "257-58"
        },
        {
          "page": "258"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "311 N.C. 633",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "case_ids": [
        4681578
      ],
      "weight": 3,
      "year": 1984,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "638"
        },
        {
          "page": "638"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/nc/311/0633-01"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "analysis": {
    "cardinality": 742,
    "char_count": 17392,
    "ocr_confidence": 0.839,
    "pagerank": {
      "raw": 2.0446031217563963e-07,
      "percentile": 0.7505617122851564
    },
    "sha256": "1a3b1be8cf85328f26c7ee8b401c170af4959fb9136d6c10099850a1b968ed04",
    "simhash": "1:245228fa36405461",
    "word_count": 2766
  },
  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:39:00.818604+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
  },
  "casebody": {
    "judges": [
      "Judges Arnold and Johnson concur."
    ],
    "parties": [
      "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. LUTHER FOWLER"
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "ORR, Judge.\nI.\nOn appeal, defendant contends the information provided by the confidential informant in the two affidavits was insufficient to establish probable cause for issuance of a search warrant.\nWhen addressing defendant\u2019s contention, our Court is guided by the Supreme Court\u2019s decision in State v. Arrington, 311 N.C. 633, 319 S.E. 2d 254 (1984), which adopted the \u201ctotality of the circumstances\u201d analysis, set forth in Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 76 L.Ed. 2d 527, reh\u2019g denied, 463 U.S. 1237, 77 L.Ed. 2d 1453 (1983), for determining if probable cause existed for issuance of a search warrant based on information from an informant. State v. Walker, 70 N.C. App. 403, 320 S.E. 2d 31 (1984).\nThe standard applied for a totality of the circumstances analysis is stated as follows:\nThe task of the issuing magistrate is simply to make a practical, common sense decision whether, given all the circumstances set forth in the affidavit before him, including the \u2018veracity\u2019 and \u2018basis of knowledge\u2019 of persons supplying hearsay information, there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found in a particular place. And the duty of a reviewing court is simply to ensure that the magistrate had a \u2018substantial basis for . . . concluding]\u2019 that probable cause existed.\nIllinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. at 238-39, 76 L.Ed. 2d at 548; State v. Arrington, 311 N.C. at 638, 319 S.E. 2d at 257-58.\nThe Supreme Court of North Carolina further emphasized in Arrington \u201cthat great deference should be paid a magistrate\u2019s determination of probable cause and that after-the-fact scrutiny should not take the form of a de novo review.\u201d Arrington, 311 N.C. at 638, 319 S.E. 2d at 258.\nIn the present case, Detective Jenkins presented two affidavits to establish probable cause for the search of defendant\u2019s person and anal cavity. The first affidavit contained the following statements:\nWithin the past 48 hrs. Det. A. D. Jenkins with the Asheville Police Dept, interviewed a confidential informant. Informant stated that Luther Fowler was to leave on 10/22/86 in the evening, on a flight out of town to buy Dilaudid and would return within the next day or so. Informant has informed Affiant in the recent past of the actions of Luther Fowler, as to leaving town by airplane to buy Dilaudid, and would return in a day or so with a quanity [sic] of Dilaudid.\nOn 10/22/86 Det. J. S. Siske with the Asheville Police Dept, contacted a Piedmont Airlines reservation clerk in Winston-Salem, N.C. The clerk stated that they had a Luther Fowler on their reservation list, to depart the Asheville Airport at aprox. 6:00 p.m. on 10/22/86. The clerk stated that Luther Fowler cancelled the flight and wanted to book a flight for a departure of aprox. 1 hour later. The clerk stated that this flight was full and Fowler did not depart on 10/22/86. But did schedule a flight for 10/23/86 at 6:50 a.m. with a destination of Daytona Florida. The clerk stated that Luther Fowler was scheduled to return on 10/23/86 at aprox. 10:20 p.m.\nOn 10/23/86 Det. J. S. Siske talked with a clerk with Piedmont Airlines in Winston-Salem, N.C. and was told that Luther Fowler did board the 6:50 a.m. flight to Daytona Fla.\nOn aprox. 10/11/86 Det. A. D. Jenkins and Det. J. S. Siske while assisting patrol had the occasion to talk with Luther Fowler after being arrested for trespass, and while being intoxicated stated to Siske and Jenkins that he had just recently returned from Daytona, Fla. and offered to show the airline ticket.\nIn 1976 Luther Fowler was convicted for sale & delivery of Herion [sic], Cocaine, & Dilaudid in the state of N.C. Also convicted for Rape in 1956 and more recently for carrying a concealed weapon 8/27/86. Luther Fowler also has numerous other convictions in other states.\nThis affiant has received information in the recent past that Luther Fowler is a Dilaudid dealer.\nAn evaluation of the affidavit discloses for consideration by the magistrate the following factors: (1) defendant\u2019s present street reputation as a dilaudid dealer and his past conviction for dilaudid possession; (2) the informant\u2019s specific description, at an earlier time, as to how and when defendant purchased dilaudid; (3) the informant\u2019s tip describing the time and day of departure, the estimated day of return, and the mode of transportation to be used by defendant when he brought his next shipment of dilaudid to Asheville; (4) the police confirmation of all the details contained in the informant\u2019s tip; and (5) the further confirmation of defendant\u2019s departure on a flight from Asheville, North Carolina to Daytona Beach, Florida on 23 October 1986.\nThe second affidavit to establish probable cause was a continuance of the first affidavit and said:\nThe applicant swears to the following facts to establish probable cause for the issuance of this continuation of the original affidavit:\nIn addition to the original information contained in the application for search warrant of Luther E. Fowler, same confidential informant further informed applicant that Luther E. Fowler is known to transport Dilauded [sic] within his anal cavity.\nUpon execution of search warrant, Fowler was searched by applicant Det. Dayton, and Special Agent David Barnes. Upon examination of Fowler, Det. Dayton and Special Agent Barnes observed what appeared to be a lubricant in the direct area of the anal opening.\nIt is therefore requested that the search be expanded to include body cavities.\nThis affidavit was dated, sworn, and subscribed before a detached and neutral magistrate. It specifically referred to and incorporated the prior information given in the search warrant application and the first affidavit. In addition, the information received from the informant, that defendant transported drugs in his anal cavity, was supported by the police examination disclosing a lubricant at the opening of defendant\u2019s anal cavity.\nApplying the practical common sense approach mandated by the \u201ctotality of the circumstances\u201d analysis, this Court finds there was a substantial basis for the first magistrate\u2019s conclusion that defendant would possess dilaudid when he returned to the Ashe-ville Airport the evening of 23 October 1986 and for the second magistrate\u2019s conclusion that the dilaudid possessed by defendant was secreted in his anal cavity. Accordingly, we conclude adequate probable cause, based upon the informant\u2019s tip and the police investigation, existed for issuance of the search warrant.\nII.\nDefendant further argues issuance of the search warrant violated N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A. After reviewing this argument, we find it to be without merit and decline to discuss it.\nIII.\nFinally, defendant contends the search warrant, even if properly issued, was improperly executed; therefore, evidence disclosed pursuant to the warrant was improperly admitted at trial.\nDefendant presents two arguments in support of his contention. First, he contends the search exceeded the scope of the warrant because the warrant did not specifically list his body cavity as an area to be searched. We disagree.\nIt is not necessary under these facts for the face of the warrant to list the specific bodily area to be searched. \u201c[A] warrant may properly be construed with reference to the supporting affidavit for the purpose of sustaining the particularity of the description of the premises to be searched .... Such incorporation is proper, provided that the affidavit accompanies the warrant, and, in addition, the warrant uses suitable words of reference which will provide notice that the two documents are to be construed together so as to provide the requisite particularity of description.\u201d Brooks, Comr. of Labor v. Enterprises, Inc., 298 N.C. 759, 763, 260 S.E. 2d 419, 422 (1979) (citations omitted); State v. Shanklin, 16 N.C. App. 712, 193 S.E. 2d 341 (1972), cert, denied, 282 N.C. 674, 194 S.E. 2d 154 (1973); State v. Flowers, 12 N.C. App. 487, 183 S.E. 2d 820, cert. denied, 279 N.C. 728, 184 S.E. 2d 885 (1971).\nLanguage in the challenged warrant said \u201c[y]ou are commanded to search the premises, vehicle, person, and other place or item described in the application for the property and person in question.\u201d (Emphasis added.) The application for the search warrant specifically referred to the attached affidavit. The second affidavit \u201crequested that the search be expanded to include body cavities.\u201d\nThe second affidavit accompanied the warrant and the first affidavit, when defendant\u2019s body cavity was searched. Moreover, the language in the warrant and application incorporated the affidavit by reference and gave sufficient notice that the documents were to be construed together. For this reason, we find defendant\u2019s argument without merit.\nDefendant assigns error in his second argument to the manner in which the body cavity search was executed.\nInitially, the police asked defendant to submit to an abdominal x-ray to determine if he was concealing drugs in his anal cavity. Only after defendant refused to comply did police order a rectal exam.\nThe actual physical examination was conducted by a qualified physician, in a hospital emergency room, with the use of medically approved procedures.\n\u201cThis kind of examination is a routine one which countless persons have undergone. It is an uncomplicated and non-hazardous procedure.\u201d Blackford v. United States, 247 F. 2d 745, 752 (9th Cir. 1957).\nWe conclude, under these facts, that the rectal exam was properly conducted within the scope of the warrant.\nDefendant next argues that the physician, when removing the dilaudid, excessively probed his rectum with a finger and an instrument before administering an enema. The physician\u2019s actions, defendant contends, were performed without his consent and, thus, constituted an unreasonable search and seizure.\nThe intensity of the alleged probing is not supported by the physician\u2019s medical record, which states that after attempting to reach the dilaudid with a finger and an instrument, the physician administered an enema, which successfully dislodged the drugs.\nAfter review, we find that defendant was not under arrest at the time of the search; consequently, the immediate recovery of the dilaudid was necessary to justify his continued police detention. However, defendant was in custody pursuant to a valid search warrant authorizing a cavity search and seizure of dilaudid found therein, so defendant\u2019s consent was not required for conducting either the search or the removal. We further find that the dilaudid\u2019s removal was carried out by a qualified physician, in sterile medical surroundings, using approved medical procedures.\nWe refuse to accept defendant\u2019s argument that the rectal exam and the removal of drugs from his anal cavity are such an intrusion upon personal privacy and dignity as to be an inherently unreasonable search. As the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stated in Blackford, when faced with the same argument, \u201c[t]here is nothing in the Bill of Rights which makes body cavities a legally protected sanctuary for carrying narcotics. It is not per se violative of the Constitution to remove foreign matter from body cavities (Breithaupt v. Abram, [352 U.S. 432, 1 L.Ed. 2d 448 (1957)]) any more than it is to force a person with narcotics in a clenched fist to open his hand. It is necessary to inquire into the particular circumstances to determine whether in the precise case before the court, the search and subsequent seizure are unlawful.\u201d Blackford, 247 F. 2d at 753.\nIn the present case, the search and seizure were conducted pursuant to a valid warrant, and were performed by a physician in a hospital with the use of approved medical procedures. Defendant\u2019s constitutional rights were adequately protected by the utilization of proper procedure by the law enforcement officers in securing the search warrants and in executing the search.\nFor the reasons given above, this Court finds the rectal exam and the removal of the dilaudid did not constitute an unreasonable search and seizure, and overrules this assignment of error.\nThis Court holds that defendant received a fair trial free from prejudicial error.\nNo error.\nJudges Arnold and Johnson concur.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "ORR, Judge."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Attorney General Lacy H. Thornburg, by Assistant Attorney General John H. Watters, for the State.",
      "C. David Gantt, for defendant-appellant."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. LUTHER FOWLER\nNo. 8728SC604\n(Filed 1 March 1988)\n1. Searches and Seizures \u00a7 23\u2014 probable cause for issuance of search warrant-evidence sufficient\nThere was adequate cause for the issuance of a search warrant where the first affidavit disclosed defendant\u2019s present street reputation as a dilaudid dealer and his past conviction for dilaudid possession; the informant\u2019s specific description at an earlier time as to how and when defendant purchased dilaudid; the informant\u2019s tip describing the time and day of departure, the estimated day of return and the mode of transportation to be used by defendant when he brought his next shipment of dilaudid to Asheville; the police confirmation of all of the details contained in the tip; the further confirmation of defendant\u2019s departure on a flight from Asheville, North Carolina, to Daytona Beach, Florida; and the second affidavit specifically referred to and incorporated the prior information and added information received from the informant that the defendant transported drugs in his anal cavity and that a police examination had disclosed a lubricant at the opening of defendant\u2019s anal cavity.\n2. Searches and Seizures \u00a739\u2014 body cavity searched \u2014 scope of warrant not exceeded\nOfficers searching for dilaudid did not exceed the scope of a search warrant by a body cavity search where language in the challenged warrant said \u201cYou are commanded to search the premises, vehicle, person, and other place or item described in the application for the property and person in question,\u201d and the second affidavit accompanying the warrant \u201crequested that the search be expanded to include body cavities.\u201d\n3. Searches and Seizures \u00a7 39\u2014 body cavity search \u2014 properly executed\nA rectal examination was properly conducted within the scope of a search warrant where the police initially asked defendant to submit to an abdominal x-ray and ordered a rectal examination only after defendant refused to comply, and the actual examination was conducted by a qualified physician in a hospital emergency room with the use of medically approved procedures.\n4. Searches and Seizures \u00a7 39\u2014 rectal examination for narcotics pursuant to search warrant \u2014 not unreasonable search procedure\nA rectal examination and the removal of dilaudid did not constitute an unreasonable search and seizure where the search and seizure were conducted pursuant to a valid search warrant and were performed by a physician in a hospital with the use of approved medical procedures.\nAPPEAL by defendant from Downs, Judge. Order entered 5 May 1987 in Superior Court, BUNCOMBE County. Heard in the Court of Appeals 8 December 1987.\nDefendant was arrested for possession of dilaudid in violation of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 90-95(a)(l). At trial defendant moved to suppress evidence of ninety-three tablets of dilaudid discovered on his person prior to his arrest. After conducting a voir dire hearing, the trial court denied defendant\u2019s motion. Subsequently, defendant was found guilty of possession of dilaudid in violation of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 90-95(a)(3) and sentenced to an active term of four years.\nFrom the order denying defendant\u2019s motion to suppress, he appeals.\nAt the voir dire hearing on defendant\u2019s motion, the State\u2019s evidence tended to show the following.\nAsheville Police Detective A. D. Jenkins applied on 23 October 1986 for a warrant to search defendant\u2019s person for dilau-did. After reviewing Detective Jenkins\u2019 application and affidavit to establish probable cause, a magistrate issued the requested warrant.\nDetective Jenkins, with the aid of other officers, took defendant into custody on 23 October 1986 at the Asheville Airport and conducted a strip search of defendant\u2019s person in the airport security office.\nThe officers discovered no contraband during the strip search; however, an excessive amount of lubricant was found at the opening of defendant\u2019s anal cavity. When questioned, defendant denied the presence of contraband in his anal cavity. In response, the officers took defendant to Memorial Mission Hospital for further examination.\nWhile defendant was being transported from the airport to the hospital, Detective Jenkins filed a second affidavit to establish probable cause with a second magistrate requesting authorization for a search of defendant\u2019s anal cavity. The magistrate reviewed the affidavit, signed it, and returned it to Detective Jenkins.\nDetective Jenkins took the second affidavit, the first affidavit, and the search warrant to the Memorial Mission Hospital Emergency Room. After defendant refused to submit to an x-ray, a licensed medical doctor probed defendant\u2019s anal cavity with his finger. The rectal exam disclosed the presence of an object lodged in the cavity. The doctor, unable to retrieve the object by probing with either his finger or an instrument, performed an enema on defendant. This procedure produced a capsule containing ninety-three tablets of dilaudid. The discovery of the dilaudid resulted in defendant\u2019s arrest and subsequent conviction for possession of a controlled substance.\nAttorney General Lacy H. Thornburg, by Assistant Attorney General John H. Watters, for the State.\nC. David Gantt, for defendant-appellant."
  },
  "file_name": "0010-01",
  "first_page_order": 38,
  "last_page_order": 46
}
