Opinion
1:12 cr 59-1
11-06-2012
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. CONNER WILLIAM GRAY.
ORDER
THIS CAUSE coming on to be heard and being heard before the undersigned at the close of a Rule 11 proceeding that was held before this court on October 19, 2012. At that time the Court presented the issue of whether or not Defendant should be detained pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a)(2). This matter further came before the Court pursuant to a written Notice (#85) and oral motion made by counsel for Defendant requesting that Defendant continue to be released on terms and conditions of pretrial release pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3145(c). Defendant was present with his attorney, Eric J. Foster and the government was present and represented through Assistant United States Attorney David Thorneloe. From the arguments of counsel for Defendant and the arguments of the Assistant United States Attorney and the records in this cause, the Court makes the following findings:
Findings. On June 5, 2012 a bill of indictment was issued charging Defendant with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)and 846. On October 19, 2012, the undersigned held and inquiry, pursuant to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and accepted a plea of guilty of Defendant to that crime. At the end of the Rule 11 proceeding, the Court presented the issue of whether or not Defendant should now be detained, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a)(2).
Discussion. 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a)(2) provides as follows:
(2) The judicial officer shall order that a person who has been found guilty of an offense in a case described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of subsection (f)(1) of section 3142 and is awaiting imposition or execution of sentence be detained unless ----
(A)(i) the judicial officer finds there is a substantial likelihood that a motion for acquittal or new trial will be granted; or
(ii) an attorney for the Government has recommended that no sentence of imprisonment be imposed on the person; or
(B) the judicial officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or the community.
From an examination of the records in this cause, it appears Defendant has now entered a plea of guilty on October 19, 2012 to the crime of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 846. That crime is one of the crimes that is referenced under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(1)(C). The undersigned made an inquiry of Assistant United States Attorney David Thorneloe as to whether or not there was going to be a recommendation that no sentence of imprisonment be imposed upon the Defendant. Mr. Thorneloe advised the Court that such a recommendation could not be made in this matter. As a result of the plea of guilty of Defendant, the undersigned cannot find there is a substantial likelihood that a motion for acquittal or new trial will be granted. Based upon the statements of Mr. Thorneloe, it appears that no attorney for the government has recommended or will recommend that no sentence of imprisonment be imposed upon Defendant. It would thus appear that the undersigned is required to apply the factors as set forth under 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a)(2) which require the detention of Defendant.
Defendant's counsel filed a written Notice (#85) of counsel's intent to request that the Court finds that exceptional reasons exist that would merit the continued release of defendant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3145(c). That statute provides as follows:
(c) Appeal from a release or detention order.---
An appeal from a release or detention order, or from a decision denying revocation or amendment of such an order, is governed by the provisions of section 1291 of title 28 and section 3731 of this title. The appeal shall be determined promptly. A person subject to detention pursuant to section 3143(a)(2) or (b)(2), and who meets the conditions of release set forth in section 3143(a)(1) or (b)(1), may be ordered released, under appropriate conditions, by the judicial officer, if it is clearly shown that there are exceptional reasons why such person's detention would not be appropriate.
In October 2009 United States District Judge Martin Reidinger instructed the undersigned to conduct the exceptional circumstances determination as set forth by the above referenced statute.
The definition of what constitutes exceptional circumstances is set forth in United States v.Vilaiphone, 2009 WL 412958 (February 19, 2009 W.D.N.C.). In Vilaiphone Judge Reidinger stated:
Courts generally have defined "exceptional reasons" as circumstances which are "clearly out of the ordinary, uncommon, or rare." See United States v. Larue, 478 F.3d 924, 926 (8th Cir. 2007) (finding defendant's compliance with terms of pretrial release, lack of criminal record, payment of child support, and continued employment were not exceptional reasons warranting release); United States v. Lea, 360 F.3d 401, 403 (2d Cir. 2004) ("Exceptional circumstances exist where there is 'a unique combination of circumstances giving rise to situations that are out of the ordinary.'") (quoting United States v. DiSomma, 951 F.2d 494, 497 *2d Cir. 1991)). The fact that the Defendant has cooperated with the Government and has complied with the terms and conditions of his pretrial release do not constitute exceptional reasons warranting his continued release pending sentencing. See United States v. Little, 485 F.3d 1210, 1211 (8th Cir. 2007) ("It is not exceptional to expect every defendant to timely appear in court and to obey the court's order concerning pretrial conditions of release. Nor it is clearly out of the ordinary, uncommon or rare for defendants to cooperate in the investigation of their criminal acts."). Similarly, the Defendant's lack of a significant criminal history and his gainful employment, while commendable, do not rise to the level of "exceptional reasons." See Lea, 360 F.3d at 403-04 ("There is nothing 'exceptional about going to school, being employed, or being a first-time offender, either separately or in combination."). Finally, while the Court is cognizant of the hardships that the Defendant's detention will create for his immediate family, such hardships are common to nearly every case involving a term of imprisonment and thus do not qualify as "exceptional reasons" under § 3145(c). See United States v. Garcia, 340 F.3d 1013, 1022 (9th Cir. 2003) ("Hardships that commonly result from imprisonment do not meet the standard."); United States v. Mahabir, 858 F.Supp 504, 508 (D.Md. 1994)("A defendant's incarceration regularly creates difficulties for him and his family. Courts have found that such purely personal considerations do not constitute exceptional reasons within the meaning of Section 3145(c).")
At the hearing Defendant presented testimony to the Court which showed that Defendant has spent a considerable period of time undergoing inpatient treatment for substance abuse and now is undergoing outpatient treatment. Defendant has been diligent in his treatment and is working hard to become substance free for the remainder of his life. Further evidence was presented by Defendant through Defendant's father who testified that Defendant has worked hard in both inpatient and outpatient treatment to successfully control his substance abuse addictions.
The undersigned has compared the contentions of Defendant with the definition of "exceptional circumstances" by Judge Reidinger as set forth in Vilaiphone. The undersigned commends Defendant for his successful completion of inpatient and his hard work in ongoing outpatient treatment to defeat his addiction. However, the undersigned cannot find that the circumstances regarding Defendant are "clearly out of the ordinary, uncommon, or rare." The undersigned encounters many defendants who attend both inpatient or outpatient substance abuse therapy and counseling and work hard to become substance free. The government, through Mr. Thorneloe, objects to the continued release of Defendant. It is the government's contention that the circumstances regarding Defendant's treatment do not meet the definition of "exceptional circumstances." The undersigned agrees with the contention of the government and cannot find that the treatment of Defendant constitute exceptional circumstances as set forth in Vilaiphone.
ORDER
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED, that the terms and conditions of pretrial release of the Defendant are hereby REVOKED and it is ORDERED the Defendant be detained pending sentencing in this matter.
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Dennis L. Howell
United States Magistrate Judge