Opinion
CASE NO. 5:15-cr-00339
07-15-2020
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. LOWRELL NEAL, Defendant.
OPINION & ORDER
[Resolving Doc. 592] :
Defendant Lowrell Neal requests a reduced sentence under the compassionate release statute, 18 U.S.C. § 3582. The Government opposed Neal's petition. Neal replied.
Doc. 592. Neal filed his original petition pro se but filed his supplement and reply with counsel. Docs. 594, 596.
Doc. 595.
Doc. 596.
For the reasons stated below, the Court GRANTS Neal's motion for compassionate release.
I. Background
On January 8, 2016, Defendant Neal pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture containing heroin and 500 grams of a mixture containing cocaine. On April 14, 2016, this Court sentenced Neal to 105 months imprisonment with three years of supervised release. Neal had been arrested on September 21, 2015, and he received credit for the detention time.
Doc. 196.
Doc. 347.
On April 22, 2020 Neal filed the instant motion for compassionate release.
Doc. 592.
For the following reasons, the Court GRANTS IN PART Neal's motion for compassionate release.
II. Discussion
A. Exhaustion
The Court may modify a defendant's term of imprisonment upon a motion from a defendant once 30 days have expired since the warden of the defendant's facility received such a motion from the defendant. Neal states that he requested compassionate release in a letter to the Warden on April 16. Neal received a letter from the Elkton Warden, Mark Williams, dated April 27, 2020 acknowledging Neal's compassionate release petition and denying the request. Because more than 30 days have expired since Neal's request, he has satisfied the exhaustion requirement.
Doc. 592 at 15.
Doc. 596-1.
B. Eligibility
To grant compassionate release, the Court must find that "extraordinary and compelling reasons warrant such a reduction" and "that such a reduction is consistent with applicable policy statements issued by the Sentencing Commission." The Court must also consider the sentencing factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Under the compassionate release statute, the Court may "reduce the term of imprisonment and impose a term of probation or supervised release with or without conditions that does not exceed the unserved portion of the original term of imprisonment."
Id
Id
Neal argues that he suffers from medical conditions that put him at higher risk of serious medical consequences, including death, if he contracts COVID-19. Specifically, he states that he has asthma and sickle beta thalassemia. Neal correctly points out that his conditions are documented in his presentencing report. Additionally, Neal was included on the list of medically vulnerable Elkton inmates pursuant to this Court's order in Wilson v. Williams.
Doc. 594 at 1.
Doc. 277.
Wilson et al. v. Williams et al., No. 4:20-cv-00794-JG (N.D. Ohio April 30, 2020), ECF No. 35-1.
Neal's conditions, in conjunction with the Elkton COVID-19 conditions are extraordinary and compelling reasons that justify the grant of compassionate release. Because Neal is at a greater risk for medical complications if he contracts the virus and 25% of Elkton inmates are infected, Neal's health and life are in serious danger if he continues to serve his sentence at Elkton. Moreover, granting compassionate release here accords with 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) and the Sentencing Commission's policy statements.
Commentary to FSG § 1B1.13.
III. Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS Neal's request for compassionate release pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). The Court orders that Neal shall serve his remaining months of imprisonment on supervised release, with credit given for time served. The conditions of that supervised release include those originally imposed at Neal's sentencing, with the additional requirement of home incarceration with electronic monitoring. After Neal's period of supervised release with home confinement expires it is to be followed by the three years of supervised release imposed at Neal's sentencing, under the supervised release terms of his original sentence. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: July 15, 2020
Doc. 347. --------
s/ James S . Gwin
JAMES S. GWIN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE