Opinion
20 Cr. 78-3 (AT)
04-06-2020
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. STEFVON ELEY, Defendant.
ORDER :
Defendant, Stefvon Eley, is detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center, see Def. Letter at 13, ECF No. 80, awaiting trial on one count of racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962; two counts of attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959; and two counts of brandishing and discharging a firearm in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). See Indictment, ECF No. 1. Now before the Court is Defendant's application for temporary release on bail pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3142(i), based on: (1) the health risks posed by COVID-19, and (2) Sixth Amendment access to counsel. See generally Def. Letter.
The Court has authority to grant Defendant temporary release pursuant to § 3142(i), which provides that a court "may . . . permit the temporary release of the person, in the custody of a United States marshal or another appropriate person, to the extent that the judicial officer determines such release to be necessary for preparation of the person's defense or for another compelling reason." 18 U.S.C. § 3142(i). A court must, however, "balance the reasons advanced for such release against the risks that were previously identified and resulted in an order of detention. In turn, whether temporary release under § 3142(i) is proper requires the individualized analysis of the facts of each case." United States v. Chambers, 20 Cr. 135 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2020), ECF No. 70 at 2 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).
In reviewing Defendant's application, the Court has considered the factors under § 3142(g), which are: (1) "the nature and circumstances of the offense charged, including whether the offense is a crime of violence . . . or involves . . . a . . . firearm"; (2) "the weight of the evidence against the person"; (3) the history and characteristics of the person"; and (4) "the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person or the community that would be posed by the person's release." 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g).
The Court concludes that release is not appropriate, due to the dangerousness of the Defendant, who is alleged to have committed four shootings. Gov't Letter at 1, ECF No. 84; see also id. at 4-5 (summarizing evidence as including witness testimony, surveillance video, and recorded phone calls). Moreover, Defendant, who is 23 years old, does not suffer from any apparent medical conditions. See id. at 6. Last, Defendant's request for release is not compelled under the Sixth Amendment; with trial scheduled for nine months from now, this case is distinguishable from other instances in which an imminent evidentiary hearing may support a defendant's temporary release. See, e.g., United States v. Stephens, 15 Cr. 95, 2020 WL 1295155, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 19, 2020) (concluding that temporary release was justified in part to enable the defendant to prepare for an evidentiary hearing only six days away).
Accordingly, Defendant's application for temporary release is DENIED. The Clerk of Court is directed to terminate the motion at ECF No. 80.
SO ORDERED. Dated: April 6, 2020
New York, New York
/s/_________
ANALISA TORRES
United States District Judge