State v. Syhavong

OPINION

ROBERT H. SCHUMACHER, Judge.

Appellant Lon Syhavong challenges the district court’s pretrial order admitting evidence found during a traffic stop, arguing the police impermissibly expanded the scope of the stop to initiate an investigation unrelated to the stop’s original purpose and unsupported by reasonable suspicion of other illegal activity. We reverse.

FACTS

Police officer Jeffrey Stearns stopped a car driven by Syhavong because the car had a broken right rear tail fight. Stearns approached the car and saw a woman sitting in the front passenger seat; there was a large black bag on…