United States v. Valdez

BATCHELDER, Circuit Judge.

Defendant-Appellant Fernando R. Valdez appeals his conviction and sentence for aiding and abetting drug trafficking, arguing that the district court erred in denying his motion to suppress evidence. For the reasons that follow, we will AFFIRM the decision of the district court.

I

On March 8, 2001, Dan Moore, a Tennessee State Highway Patrol Trooper assigned to the Patrol’s Criminal Interdiction Team (whose purpose is to interdict drug shipments), observed a Volkswagon with Utah license plates traveling down Interstate 40 in Jackson, Tennessee. Trooper Moore became…