(August 3, 2016, 10:15 AM EDT) -- LOS ANGELES — A police detective may testify on interpreting coded language in conversations between an alleged drug dealer and a confidential informant (CI), a California federal judge ruled July 29, refusing to exclude his testimony (United States of America v. Brian Sawyers, No. 15-00070, C.D. Calif.; 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 99688).

(Order available. Document #30-160812-017R.)

The U.S. government charged Brian Sawyers in a two-count indictment with distribution of cocaine base in the form of crack cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S. Code Section 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)(iii)....