Partially obscured registration sticker on license tag provides reasonable suspicion for traffic stop

SEARCH & SEIZURE United States v. Orduna-Martinez, No. 07-3298, ___ F.3d ___ (10th Cir. Apr. 3, 2009)(Kansas). Appeal of conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), based on claim that district court improperly denied motion to suppress drug evidence found during traffic stop. HELD: District court did not err by denying defendant’s motion to suppress cocaine. Kansas trooper had reasonable suspicion of criminal activity sufficient to justify traffic stop based on partial obstruction of registration decal on defendant’s vehicle’s Ohio license plate. Registration decal is part of license plate and under Kansas law all of license plate must be legible. Read the opinion here.