Co-Owner of Computer Can Validly Consent to Search of Computer That Incriminated Other Owner of Child Pornography Charges
Kevin Stanley and his girlfriend, Tiana Stockbridge, lived together until the two broke up in 2004. While they were together, they co-owned a computer, which they each used. Stanley had a password to his “half” of the computer and his files. Stockbridge had a similar arrangement for her “half” of the computer.
In 2004, Stanley was arrested on state molestation charges and Stockbridge took possession of the computer. Stanley was then convicted and went off to prison. By giving the computer to Stockbridge, he hoped that he could get his files back when he returned from prison.
Two years later, the computer crashed and Stockbridge took the computer to her friend, David Trimm, to restore the functioning of the computer. As Trimm was fixing the computer, he noticed files that suggested child pornography on the unprotected parts of the hard drive. Trimm then asked Stockbridge for permission to turn over the computer to Stanley’s probation officer. Stockbridge agreed.
The probation officer then asked Stockbridge for permission to search the computer for illegal material. Stockbridge again agreed. A search of the computer did reveal child pornography and Stanley was later charged in federal court with possession of child pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C.
