PA Supreme Court rules fake texts don't violate Wiretap Act

(Harrisburg) -- Pennsylvania's highest court says police acted properly when they used a suspect's cell phone to send texts to an alleged accomplice, pretending to be a partner in crime.

The Supreme Court has ruled the state police did not violate the Pennsylvania Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act during the 2007 investigation of a vehicle with Arizona plates stopped along Interstate 80 in Clearfield County.

The opinion says troopers recovered 35 pounds of marijuana, methamphetamine, a gun and a cell phone from the car driven by Michael Amodeo. The ruling says troopers got Amodeo's help to send faked messages to Stephen Lanier of Tucson, Ariz.

Lanier and codefendant Jeffrey Cruttenden were later arrested at a meeting spot and charged with drug offenses.

Messages seeking comment from their lawyers weren't immediately returned.