Opinion
Criminal Case No. 12-MJ-00118-DLW
04-06-2012
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. 1. JUAN RAMON LOERA-SANDOVAL, Defendant.
Magistrate Judge David L. West
FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND REASONS
FOR ORDER OF DETENTION
THIS MATTER came before the Court for a detention hearing on April 6, 2012. Present were the following: Dondi Osborne, Assistant United States Attorney, Steven Wells, counsel for the Defendant, and the Defendant. Also present was Greg Saiz, Probation/Pretrial Services Officer. The Court heard testimony, reviewed the Pretrial Services' report and heard the arguments of counsel.
In order to sustain a motion for detention, the government must establish that (a) there is no condition or combination of conditions which could be imposed in connection with pretrial release that would reasonably insure the Defendant's presence for court proceedings; or (b) there is no condition or combination of conditions which could be imposed in connection with pretrial release that would reasonably insure the safety of any other person or the community. The former element must be established by a preponderance of the evidence, while the latter requires proof by clear and convincing evidence.
If there is probable cause to believe that the Defendant committed an offense which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of over 10 years and is an offense prescribed by the Controlled Substances Act, a rebuttable presumption arises that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the appearance of the person as required and the safety of the community.
The Bail Reform Act 18 U.S.C §3142(g), directs the court to consider the following factors in determining whether there are conditions of release that will reasonably assure the appearance of the Defendant as required and the safety of any other person and the community:
• the nature and circumstances of the offense charged, including whether the offense is a crime of violence or involves a narcotic drug;
• the weight of the evidence against the person;
• the history and characteristics of the person, including -
• the person's character, physical and mental condition, family ties, employment, financial resources, length of residence in the community, community ties, past conduct, history relating to drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and record concerning appearance at court proceedings; and• the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person or the community that would be posed by the person's release.
• whether at the time of the current offense or arrest, the person was on probation, on parole, or on other release pending trial, sentencing, appeal, or completion of sentence for an offense under Federal, State or local law; and
The Government is requesting detention in this case. In making my findings of fact, I have taken judicial notice of the information set forth in the Pretrial Services Report and the Affidavit attached to the Criminal Complaint, and have considered the arguments of counsel. I further note that during the detention hearing on April 6, 2012, Defendant did not challenge the United States' request for detention. Weighing the statutory factors set forth in the Bail Reform Act, I find the following:
First, the Defendant was charged in a Criminal Complaint under 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and (b)(2), Illegal Re-Entry of a Removed Alien (subsequent to conviction for aggravated felony). The Court has found and concluded that probable cause exists that the Defendant committed the charged offense.
Second, the Defendant is a citizen of Mexico and has been deported from the United States multiple times for entering the United States illegally, there is an I.C.E. detainer placed on the Defendant and the Defendant has no work or family ties to the District of Colorado.
Finally, the Defendant's criminal record includes numerous prior deportation proceedings. The Defendant has used 9 aliases, had 3 prior failures to appear and 4 probation violations and prior aggravated felony conviction. The United States has not argued that the Defendant poses a threat to the community. However, in light of the Defendant's criminal history and his immigration status, I find, by a preponderance of evidence, that no condition or combination of conditions of release will reasonably assure the appearance of the Defendant.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Defendant be committed to the custody of the Attorney General for confinement in a corrections facility separate, to the extent practicable, from persons awaiting or serving sentences or being held in custody pending appeal; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Defendant be afforded reasonable opportunity for private consultation with counsel; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, on order of a Court of the United States or on request of an attorney for the Government, the person in charge of the corrections facility in which the Defendant is confined deliver Defendant to the United States Marshal for the purpose of an appearance in connection with a Court proceeding.
BY THE COURT:
David L. West
United States Magistrate Judge