Drug Convictions Overturned Because Search Ruled Illegal

A pair of Costa Mesa men caught with a bomb, several pounds of marijuana and other drugs had their convictions overturned by an appellate court because of an illegal police search.

Citing an unspecified parole violation, 15 federal, state and local law enforcement agents entered Michael Patrick Marvich’s Costa Mesa home on Jan. 25, 1990, with a warrant for Collin Lee Quick’s arrest. Quick and Marvich, 51 and 74 at the time, were handcuffed before police conducted a sweep of the home.

During the sweep, one officer kicked a large trash bag in a closet “to see if anyone was under it.” It opened, revealing marijuana. The 4th District Court of Appeal in Santa Ana ruled the search was improper because the suspects were in custody and there was no apparent threat that required a sweep.

Quick’s attorney Ernest Eady said he believed that his client was targeted by police because he was a pilot who had a prior drug conviction.

Marvich’s attorney, Roger Hanson, was not available for comment Friday. The Orange County district attorney’s office and Costa Mesa police declined to comment Friday.