I think that evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court, but since the authority did not obtain the evidence illegally, would it be probable cause for a search warrant?
I think so, and part of me is hoping for it. However, I'm obliged to say that we may be wrong on the admissibility point. I'm waiting on a Supreme Court case that justifies waiving the exclusionary rules, in a criminal trial, for evidence obtained illegally by a private citizen.