People v. Lau CA4/3

FACTS

Three witnesses testified at trial, none called by the defense. We summarize below relevant portions of the testimony. On the afternoon of February 26, 2012, Deputy Sheriff Mark Baltodano was working in an area known for prostitution and drug use in the City of Stanton. Baltodano observed defendant leave room 408 at the motel and walk down a flight of

2 stairs with a male companion. Defendant consented to the search of her room. Baltodano found a number of items that appeared to belong to individuals other than 1 defendant. Baltodano discovered a prescription bottle with 20 Alprazolam pills, a baggie containing four Vicodin pills, two baggies containing a substance that appeared to be methamphetamine, and three glass methamphetamine pipes. Baltodano also located a scale and baggies commonly used for packaging drugs. During a post-arrest interrogation, defendant admitted to acting as a “middleman” in drug transactions. Defendant explained that the scale and baggies in her room allowed the suppliers to weigh the drugs she distributed to buyers. Defendant stated that when she and the male individual came into contact with Baltodano and his partner, they were on their way to…