UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JTTON EDWARD WATSON aka J’ttonAli One Eye El Bey - Articles

All Content

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JTTON EDWARD WATSON aka J’ttonAli One Eye El Bey

Posted by: Azya Thornton on Jul 9, 2025

Court: 6th Circuit Court (Published Opinions)

Attorneys 1: ON BRIEF: Gregory A. Napolitano, LAUFMAN & NAPOLITANO, LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio, for Appellant.

Attorneys 2: ON BRIEF: Mary Beth Young, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, Columbus, Ohio, for Appellee.

Judge(s): COLE, GIBBONS, and BUSH, Circuit Judges

Court Appealed: United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio at Cincinnati

JULIA SMITH GIBBONS, Circuit Judge. Having voluntarily waived his right to a jury trial under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 23(a), Defendant Jtton Edward Watson1 was found guilty of felony possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) at the conclusion of a bench trial. On appeal, Watson challenges the district court’s denial of his motion to suppress evidence obtained from a vehicle search conducted on December 5, 2020, arguing that the initial traffic stop, his warrantless arrest, and the subsequent search of his vehicle violated his Fourth Amendment rights. He also challenges his conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), arguing that the conviction was not supported by sufficient evidence. We conclude that the district court did not err in denying Watson’s motion to suppress because (i) the initial traffic stop was supported by probable cause, (ii) Watson’s arrest was supported by probable cause, and (iii) the search of Watson’s vehicle was permissible under the automobile exception. Additionally, Watson’s conviction was supported by sufficient evidence. Accordingly, we affirm.

Attachments: