The court of appeals reversed a judgment of the district court and remanded. The court held that the government failed to meet its burden of demonstrating that a defendant’s inculpatory statements to drug enforcement officials were not the product of concededly illegal searches of the defendant’s home and garage.
Pomona police received a tip from an anonymous source, later revealed to be Scott Shetler’s daughter, that Shetler was manufacturing and using methamphetamine in his home. Officers went to Shetler’s home shortly after 8:00 p.m. and noticed the garage door open. One officer smelled a chemical odor associated with possible methamphetamine production coming from the garage. The officers entered the garage and conducted a visual sweep. They did not find anyone inside or any evidence that methamphetamine was then being cooked. They did, however, see items known to be related to the production of methamphetamine.
