BUENA PARK

A Santa Ana Superior Court judge Wednesday threw out a suit filed last year by Pastor Wiley Drake of the First Baptist Church that alleged police violated his civil rights by searching church premises without a proper warrant. The judge determined the police acted appropriately when they searched the church during the 1997 arrest of Warren Clewell, a homeless man living there who had failed to register as a sex offender. Police said the search was conducted with Clewell’s consent.

“I believe the judge found that the entire suit was ludicrous and without merit, and I’m very pleased,” said Police Chief Richard Tefank, who was named in the suit. Drake, who filed the case along with two church security guards, said he plans to appeal the decision.