Dinkins appears in federal court to face drug-related charges
A 51-year-old Davenport man convicted last year in the death of a 10-year-old girl appeared Wednesday in federal court to face drug charges.
Henry Dinkins, who was convicted last year in Breasia Terrell’s death, appeared with his attorney Jack Dusthimer in an evidentiary hearing that lasted about an hour in the United States Courthouse, also known as the Federal Building, in downtown Davenport.
Motion to suppress
In a document filed electronically on Dec. 27, Dinkins asked for a motion to suppress evidence in a case that involves an April 25, 2019, Illinois traffic stop on Interstate 80. In a motion to suppress, a defendant claims that material in question was seized in violation of that person’s Constitutional rights.
Stephanie M. Rose, chief judge for the U. S. District Court – Southern District of Iowa, presided. Two Illinois State Troopers testified about the traffic stop on I-80 westbound at Mile Marker 66 on a van in which Dinkins was a passenger.
Trooper Nick Griggs said the Ford an “was weaving all over the roadway” before he pulled it over. The trooper said, after the van was pulled over, that the van was rocking back and forth. He added the rear passenger tire was shredded down to the belts and a piece of trim was hanging from the side of the van.
After a drug-sniffing K9 was brought to the scene, troopers found three bags with what turned out to be methamphetamine, the trooper said.
Dinkins, according to his attorney Jack Dusthimer, asserts there was no probable cause for the van to be pulled over and the search of the van violated his Fourth Amendment rights.
Dinkins, who often took notes on a yellow legal pad and conferred with Dusthimer throughout the hearing, was in handcuffs and shackles.
Judge Rose, who had heard and seen recordings of the traffic stop, said she will review them again, so until she sees differently, she denies Dinkins’ motion to suppress the evidence.
Dinkins and his family maintain his innocence in the Breasia Terrell case. Dinkins has appealed the conviction.
