Church of Scientology of California v. United States

The Church of Scientology of California appeals from a judgment denying its application under Rule 41(e), F.R.Crim.P., for the return of property seized under certain search warrants and for the suppression of the evidence seized. We conclude that we do not have jurisdiction, and dismiss the appeal.

On July 7, 1977, two search warrants were obtained authorizing search of certain offices of the Church, located in two buildings that it owns in Los Angeles. A similar warrant was obtained for a search of part of a building owned by the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington, D.C. The affidavits in support of the warrants were substantially identical, and so were the warrants, except for descriptions of the premises to be searched. There was a separate warrant for each place to be searched. The warrants were executed simultaneously at 9:00 a. m. Washington time, and at 6:00 a. m. Los Angeles time. Many files were examined at each place, in an effort to find the papers listed in 161 separate paragraphs of the warrants, and in paragraph 162 of each, which reads:

The Church asserts that more than 20,000 documents were seized. Motions to recover the seized documents were filed on…