Opinion
CR 20-00025-ODW
09-16-2022
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. Jonathan Aldemar Vasquez Mendoza akas:“Baby Joker” moniker Defendant
COUNSEL!MICHAEL L. BROWN, II, DFPD
COUNSEL"!MICHAEL L. BROWN, II, DFPD
In the presence of the attorney for the government, the defendant appeared in person on this date. Sept. 16 2022
PLEA [X] GUILTY, and the court being satisfied that there is a factual basis for the plea. [] NOLO CONTENDERE [ ] NOT GUILTY
FINDING There being a finding/verdict of GUILTY, defendant has been convicted as charged of the offense(s) of: Count 1: 18:922(g)(1): Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition
JUDGMENT AND PROB/COMM ORDER The Court asked whether there was any reason why judgment should not be pronounced. Because no sufficient cause to the contrary was shown, or appeared to the Court, the Court adjudged the defendant guilty as charged and convicted and ordered that: Pursuant to the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, it is the judgment of the Court that the defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a term of: 50 months on Count 1 of the Indictment.
It is ordered that the defendant shall pay to the United States a special assessment of $100, which is due immediately. Any unpaid balance shall be due during the period of imprisonment, at the rate of not less than $25 per quarter, and pursuant to the Bureau of Prisons' Inmate Financial Responsibility Program.
Pursuant to Guideline § 5E1.2(a), all fines are waived as the Court finds that the defendant has established an inability to pay any fine.
The Court has found that the property identified in the preliminary order of forfeiture is subject to forfeiture. The preliminary order is incorporated by reference into this judgment and is final.
The Court recommends that the Bureau of Prisons conduct a mental health evaluation of the defendant and provide all necessary treatment.
Upon release from imprisonment, the defendant shall be placed on supervised release for a term of three years under the following terms and conditions:
1. The defendant shall comply with the rules and regulations of the United States Probation & Pretrial Services Office and Second Amended General Order 20-04.
2. The defendant shall refrain from any unlawful use of a controlled substance. The defendant shall submit to one drug test within 15 days of release from custody and at least two periodic drug tests thereafter, not to exceed eight tests per month, as directed by the Probation Officer.
3. The defendant shall participate in mental health treatment, which may include evaluation and counseling, until discharged from the program by the treatment provider, with the approval of the Probation Officer..
4. As directed by the Probation Officer, the defendant shall pay all or part of the costs of the Court-ordered treatment to the aftercare contractors during the period of community supervision. The defendant shall provide payment and proof of payment as directed by the Probation Officer. If the defendant has no ability to pay, no payment shall be required.
5. During the period of community supervision, the defendant shall pay the special assessment in accordance with this judgment's orders pertaining to such payment.
6. The defendant shall not obtain or possess any driver's license, Social Security number, birth certificate, passport or any other form of identification in any name, other than the defendant's true legal name, nor shall the defendant use, any name other than the defendant's true legal name without the prior written approval of the Probation Officer.
7. The defendant shall cooperate in the collection of a DNA sample from himself.
8. The defendant shall submit the defendant's person, property, residence, vehicle, papers, or other areas under the defendant's control, to a search conducted by a United States Probation Officer or law enforcement officer. Failure to submit to a search may be grounds for revocation. The defendant shall warn any other occupants that the premises may be subject to searches pursuant to this condition. Any search pursuant to this condition will be conducted at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner upon reasonable suspicion that the defendant has violated a condition of his supervision and that the areas to be searched contain evidence of this violation.
9. The defendant shall not associate with anyone known to him to be a member of the Blythe Street Gang and others known to the defendant to be participants in the Blythe Street Gang's criminal activities, with the exception of the defendant's family members. The defendant may not wear, display, use or possess any gang insignias, emblems, badges, buttons, caps, jackets, or any other clothing that defendant knows evidence affiliation with the Blythe Street Gang, and may not display any signs or gestures that he knows evidence affiliation with the Blythe Street Gang.
10. As directed by the Probation Officer, the defendant shall not be present in any area known to the defendant to be a location where members of the Blythe Street Gang meet or assemble.
The Court authorizes the Probation Officer to disclose the Presentence Report, and any previous mental health evaluations or reports, to the treatment provider. The treatment provider may provide information (excluding the Presentence report), to State or local social service agencies (such as the State of California, Department of Social Service), for the purpose of the client's rehabilitation.
The Court recommends defendant to be housed in a Southern California facility.
It is further ordered that the defendant surrender himself to the institution designated by the Bureau of Prisons at or before 12 noon, on November 16, 2022. In the absence of such designation, the defendant shall report on or before the same date and time, to the United States Marshal located at the First Street U.S. Courthouse 350 W. First Street, Suite 3001, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), the Court shall impose a sentence sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to comply with the purposes set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection. The Court, in determining the particular sentence to be imposed, shall consider
The nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant;
2. The need for the sentence imposed
a. To reflect the seriousness of the offense; to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense;
b. To afford adequate deterrence to future criminal conduct;
c. To protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and
d. To provide the defendant with needed educational correctional treatment in the most effective manner.
3. The kinds of sentences available;
4. The guideline sentencing range;
5. The need to avoid unwarranted sentence disparities among defendants with similar records who have been found guilty of similar conduct.
In addition to the special conditions of supervision imposed above, it is hereby ordered that the Standard Conditions of Probation and Supervised Release within this judgment be imposed. The Court may change the conditions of supervision, reduce or extend the period of supervision, and at any time during the supervision period or within the maximum period permitted by law, may issue a warrant and revoke supervision for a violation occurring during the supervision period.
It is ordered that the Clerk deliver a copy of this Judgment and Probation/Commitment Order to the U.S. Marshal or other qualified officer.
The defendant must comply with the standard conditions that have been adopted by this court (set forth below).
STANDARD CONDITIONS OF PROBATION AND SUPERVISED RELEASE
While the defendant is on probation or supervised release pursuant to this judgment:
1. The defendant must not commit another federal, state, or local crime;
2. The defendant must report to the probation office in the federal judicial district of residence within 72 hours of imposition of a sentence of probation or release from imprisonment, unless otherwise directed by the probation officer;
3. The defendant must report to the probation office as instructed by the court or probation officer;
4. The defendant must not knowingly leave the judicial district without first receiving the permission of the court or probation officer;
5. The defendant must answer truthfully the inquiries of the probation officer, unless legitimately asserting his or her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination as to new criminal conduct;
6. The defendant must reside at a location approved by the probation officer and must notify the probation officer at least 10 days before any anticipated change or within 72 hours of an unanticipated change in residence or persons living in defendant's residence;
7. The defendant must permit the probation officer to contact him or her at any time at home or elsewhere and must permit confiscation of any contraband prohibited by law or the terms of supervision and observed in plain view by the probation officer;
8. The defendant must work at a lawful occupation unless excused by the probation officer for schooling, training, or other acceptable reasons and must notify the probation officer at least ten days before any change in employment or within 72 hours of an unanticipated change;
9. The defendant must not knowingly associate with any persons engaged in criminal activity and must not knowingly associate with any person convicted of a felony unless granted permission to do so by the probation officer. This condition will not apply to intimate family members, unless the court has completed an individualized review and has determined that the restriction is necessary for protection of the community or rehabilitation;
10. The defendant must refrain from excessive use of alcohol and must not purchase, possess, use, distribute, or administer any narcotic or other controlled substance, or any paraphernalia related to such substances, except as prescribed by a physician;
11. The defendant must notify the probation officer within 72 hours of being arrested or questioned by a law enforcement officer;
12. For felony cases, the defendant must not possess a firearm, ammunition, destructive device, or any other dangerous weapon;
13. The defendant must not act or enter into any agreement with a law enforcement agency to act as an informant or source without the permission of the court;
14. The defendant must follow the instructions of the probation officer to implement the orders of the court, afford adequate deterrence from criminal conduct, protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner.
The defendant must also comply with the following special conditions (set forth below).
STATUTORY PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO PAYMENT AND COLLECTION OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS
The defendant must pay interest on a fine or restitution of more than $2,500, unless the court waives interest or unless the fine or restitution is paid in full before the fifteenth (15th) day after the date of the judgment under 18 U.S.C. § 3612(f)(1). Payments may be subject to penalties for default and delinquency under 18 U.S.C. § 3612(g). Interest and penalties pertaining to restitution, however, are not applicable for offenses completed before April 24, 1996. Assessments, restitution, fines, penalties, and costs must be paid by certified check or money order made payable to “Clerk, U.S. District Court.” Each certified check or money order must include the case name and number. Payments must be delivered to:
United States District Court, Central District of California
Attn: Fiscal Department
255 East Temple Street, Room 1178
Los Angeles, CA 90012or such other address as the Court may in future direct.
If all or any portion of a fine or restitution ordered remains unpaid after the termination of supervision, the defendant must pay the balance as directed by the United States Attorney's Office. 18 U.S.C. § 3613.
The defendant must notify the United States Attorney within thirty (30) days of any change in the defendant's mailing address or residence address until all fines, restitution, costs, and special assessments are paid in full. 18 U.S.C. § 3612(b)(1)(F).
The defendant must notify the Court (through the Probation Office) and the United States Attorney of any material change in the defendant's economic circumstances that might affect the defendant's ability to pay a fine or restitution, as required by 18 U.S.C. § 3664(k). The Court may also accept such notification from the government or the victim, and may, on its own motion or that of a party or the victim, adjust the manner of payment of a fine or restitution under 18 U.S.C. § 3664(k). See also 18 U.S.C. § 3572(d)(3) and for probation 18 U.S.C. § 3563(a)(7).
Payments will be applied in the following order:
1. Special assessments under 18 U.S.C. § 3013;
2. Restitution, in this sequence (under 18 U.S.C. § 3664(i), all non-federal victims must be paid before the United States is paid):
Non-federal victims (individual and corporate),
Providers of compensation to non-federal victims,
The United States as victim;
3. Fine;
4. Community restitution, under 18 U.S.C. § 3663(c); and
5. Other penalties and costs.
CONDITIONS OF PROBATION AND SUPERVISED RELEASE PERTAINING TO FINANCIAL SANCTIONS
As directed by the Probation Officer, the defendant must provide to the Probation Officer: (1) a signed release authorizing credit report inquiries; (2) federal and state income tax returns or a signed release authorizing their disclosure and (3) an accurate financial statement, with supporting documentation as to all assets, income and expenses of the defendant. In addition, the defendant must not apply for any loan or open any line of credit without prior approval of the Probation Officer.
When supervision begins, and at any time thereafter upon request of the Probation Officer, the defendant must produce to the Probation and Pretrial Services Office records of all bank or investments accounts to which the defendant has access, including any business or trust accounts. Thereafter, for the term of supervision, the defendant must notify and receive approval of the Probation Office in advance of opening a new account or modifying or closing an existing one, including adding or deleting signatories; changing the account number or name, address, or other identifying information affiliated with the account; or any other modification. If the Probation Office approves the new account, modification or closing, the defendant must give the Probation Officer all related account records within 10 days of opening, modifying or closing the account. The defendant must not direct or ask anyone else to open or maintain any account on the defendant's behalf.
The defendant must not transfer, sell, give away, or otherwise convey any asset with a fair market value in excess of $500 without approval of the Probation Officer until all financial obligations imposed by the Court have been satisfied in full.
These conditions are in addition to any other conditions imposed by this judgment.
RETURN
I have executed the within Judgment and Commitment as follows:
Defendant delivered on ____to_____
Defendant noted on appeal on____
Defendant released on____
Mandate issued on____
Defendant's appeal determined on ___
Defendant delivered on___ to____ at ___the institution designated by the Bureau of Prisons, with a certified copy of the within Judgment and Commitment.
CERTIFICATE