United States v. Rivera

GÓMEZ, District Judge

MEMORANDUM OPINION

(October 23, 2014)

Before the Court is defendant Jahmal A. Rivera’s motion to suppress. The central question presented by the motion is whether a post-flight checkpoint erected at the St. Thomas airport to screen only passengers arriving from St. Croix for guns and drugs, absent a warrant or individualized suspicion, was permissible under the Fourth Amendment.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On April 29, 2014, Jahmal Rivera (defendant or “Rivera”) boarded a nonstop commuter flight from St. Croix to St. Thomas. Prior to boarding, *625in accordance with airline…