State v. Townsend

SILBERMAN, Judge.

The State appeals an order suppressing physical evidence relating to charges against Ronnie Lee Townsend for possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Because the suppression issue was dispositive, the trial court dismissed the charges. We conclude that the search was valid as an inventory search and reverse the suppression order and remand for reinstatement of the charges.

A deputy obtained the evidence at issue during a search of Townsend’s vehicle following his arrest for violating his restricted driver’s license. In his motion to suppress, Townsend argued…