Case Explained: UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JARED METZGER ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Filed: 2026-08-04 The sixth-circuit affirmed the denial of Jared Metzger’s motion to suppress evidence of child pornography obtained from his cell phone. The court held that officers acted in good faith reliance on a search warrant, applying the exception established in *United States v. Leon*. Although the warrant was issued for drug trafficking and did not explicitly list Metzger’s phone, the affidavit established a minimally sufficient nexus between the device and criminal activity by linking Metzger to a drug-trafficking scheme through his residence at the location, his use of associated vehicles containing a drug ledger, and a Facebook post likely made from the phone that alerted co-conspirators to police surveillance. The court further rejected a particularity challenge, noting that the warrant’s broad authorization to search all cell phones and their contents at the residence was reasonable given the circumstances and that officers immediately stopped the search upon discovering child pornography to obtain a new warrant. Because Metzger pled guilty while preserving his right to appeal, the conviction stands. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.