No search warrant, no evidence in child porn case

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - A Grand Rapids man has dodged a child pornography case because authorities looked at his computer at a Best Buy without a search warrant.

The state appeals court agrees with a Kent County judge who suppressed the evidence and dismissed charges against a 26-year-old man.

He was charged in 2011 after Best Buy employees fixing his laptop saw suspicious file names and called police. A sheriff’s deputy says he found child pornography on the hard drive. The hard drive and accessories were seized.

In a 3-0 decision last week, the appeals court says it’s not a tough call. The court says authorities searched the computer without permission or a warrant.

Defense attorney Joshua Blanchard praised the decision. An email seeking comment was sent to the prosecutor.