Opinion
23-529
10-24-2024
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOSE VELEZ-THOMAS
Christopher Fell Assistant U.S. Attorney Saverio Viggiano, Esq. Counsel for Defendant
Christopher Fell Assistant U.S. Attorney
Saverio Viggiano, Esq. Counsel for Defendant
ORDER FOR A CONTINUANCE
HON. KAREN M. WILLIAMS UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
This matter having come before the Court on the joint application of Philip R. Sellinger, United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey (by Christopher Fell, Assistant U.S. Attorney), and defendant Jose Velez-Thomas (by Saverio Viggiano, Esq.), for an order granting a continuance of the proceedings in the above-captioned matter from the date this Order is signed through and including January 9, 2025, to permit defense counsel the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation in this matter and to allow the parties to continue plea negotiations; and the defendant being aware that he has the right to have the matter brought to trial within 70 days of the date of his appearance before a judicial officer of this court pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 3161(c); and the defendant, through his attorney, having consented to this continuance; and for good and sufficient cause shown, IT IS THE FINDING OF THIS COURT that this action should be continued for the following reasons:
(1) Both the United States and the defendant seek additional time to engage in plea negotiations, which would render any subsequent trial of this matter unnecessary;
(2) The defendant has consented to the aforementioned continuance;
(3) The grant of a continuance likely will conserve judicial resources; and;
(4) As a result of the foregoing, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 3161(h)(7), the ends of justice served by granting the continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial.
WHEREFORE, it is on this 24th day of October, 2024;
ORDERED that this action be, and it hereby is, continued from the date this Order is signed through and including January 9, 2025; and it is further ORDERED that the period from the date this Order is signed through and including January 9, 2025, and shall be excludable in computing time under the Speedy Trial Act of 1974.