Vaughan v. State

Adams, Judge.

Gerald Vaughan was tried on stipulated facts and found guilty of trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. On appeal, he contends the trial court erred by denying his pre-trial motion to suppress. He contends an officer exceeded the scope of a pat-down search executed to determine whether he was in the possession of a weapon.

The facts are largely undisputed. On January 19, 2004, Officer James McDonald of the Snellville Police Department told Gwinnett County Police Officers Hurst and Boone that Vaughan was using and trafficking…