Taft earned a Seventh Circuit victory for client Jose Segoviano, Jr., who had been charged in a two-count indictment with various federal crimes. Before the district court, Segoviano had moved to suppress his statements and evidence uncovered by ATF agents, who had searched his home without a warrant while allegedly looking for a fugitive. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois denied this motion, and Segoviano pled guilty under a conditional plea agreement that allowed him to appeal that denial. 

Taft represented Segoviano on appeal in the Seventh Circuit, arguing that the district court erred in its decision. Taft asserted that law enforcement may never detain someone in his own home based only on reasonable suspicion and that Segoviano’s detention was not supported by reasonable doubt.

The Seventh Circuit agreed, finding that based on the totality of facts and circumstances, law enforcement did not have enough reasonable suspicion to detain Segoviano while questioning him. Although the Seventh Circuit did not reach the first argument, it strongly hinted that law enforcement might never Terry stop an individual in his own home.

The case has been remanded to the district court for further proceedings, but based on the Seventh Circuit’s decision, Segoviano expects all charges to be dismissed.

Taft Chicago partner Christopher Grohman represented Segoviano. Grohman is a partner in Taft’s Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense practice. He focuses his practice on defending corporations and individuals mired in government investigations and conducting internal investigations and compliance reviews to stave off government involvement. Grohman formerly served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.