Opinion
No. 2:18-cr-00687 No. 2:18-cr-00379
01-27-2020
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MELISSA REYNOLDS, Defendant UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. GERMAINE KING, Defendant
OPINION & ORDER
On December 18, 2019, the Court sentenced Defendant Melissa Reynolds in Crim. No. 18-687. On January 7, 2020, the Court sentenced Defendant Germaine King in Crim. No. 18-379. Reynolds and King indicate that they are married, and their criminal convictions stem from joint activity.
Thereafter, on January 13, 2020, Reynolds filed a letter request asking that her and King's sentence be staggered because of her minor child, G.J., who resides with King and Reynolds; King's minor daughter, S.K., who resides with King and Reynolds several nights a week; and King's mother, N.F., who resides with King and Reynolds. The Government filed opposition, dated January 23, 2020, noting that Reynolds had failed to adequately demonstrate that no alternative living arrangements were available. In reply, Germaine King wrote that the reason for the request was due to financial responsibilities.
The Court agrees with the Government. King and Reynolds have failed to demonstrate that alternate living arrangements are not reasonably available. For example, G.J.'s father resides in the area and apparently has stable employment. Similarly, S.K.'s mother also resides in the area and has stable employment. Moreover, King and Reynolds' fail to sufficiently account for other family members as to N.F. Finally, Reynold's initially indicated that the request for staggered sentences was due to family living arrangements, but King in his reply emphasized a different reason, financial hardship. However, because G.J. resides with Reynolds and King, and because he may have to transfer schools if he is no longer able to reside with them, the Court will grant limited relief to ensure that G.J. is able to complete his current academic year at his school.
For the foregoing reasons, and for good cause shown,
It is on this 27th day of January, 2020, hereby
ORDERED that Melissa Reynolds, Crim. No. 18-687, shall not be designated by the Bureau of Prison to commence her sentence before July 1, 2020; and it is further
ORDERED that Reynolds and King's request for serving staggered sentences is otherwise DENIED; and it is further
ORDERED that this Opinion and Order shall be filed in both Crim. No. 18-687 and in Crim. No. 18-379; and it is further
ORDERED the Clerk's Office shall mail a copy of this Opinion and Order to Reynolds and to King.
s/ John Michael Vazquez
John Michael Vazquez, U.S.D.J.