Opinion
4:19-CR-20667
09-18-2024
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. ELIJAH R. WASHINGTON, Defendant.
ORDER OF DETENTION PENDING SUPERVISED RELEASE VIOLATION HEARING
Curtis Ivy, Jr. United States Magistrate Judge
I. Procedural Background
On October 9, 2020, a Judgment was entered by United States District Judge Laurie J. Michelson, in which Defendant was sentenced to a total term of 30 months imprisonment for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). (ECF No. 24).
Defendant's term of supervised release began on or about November 6, 2021. (ECF No. 25). District Judge Michelson issued a warrant for Defendant's arrest based on a violation of supervised release conditions pursuant to an order of this court.
Defendant was arrested in connection with that warrant. On September 18, 2024, Defendant was brought before the Court on an initial appearance for the alleged violation of supervised release conditions.
Counsel for Defendant was appointed and present at the initial appearance. Defendant later exercised his right to a detention hearing. A detention hearing was held on September 18, 2024.
II. Detention or Release Standards
As to detention or release, Rule 32.1(a)(6) provides that the magistrate judge may release or detain a defendant under 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a) (the Bail Reform Act) pending further proceedings.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a)(1), the court shall order the defendant be detained unless persuaded by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is not likely to flee or pose a danger if released under § 3142(b) or (c). Under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32.1(a)(6) “[t]he burden of establishing by clear and convincing evidence that the person will not flee or pose a danger to any person or to the community rests with the person.”
III. Detention Findings.
The Court's findings and reasons for ordering detention, were stated on the record at the September 18, 2024, hearing and are fully incorporated by reference here. The Court finds that it is not persuaded by clear and convincing evidence that Defendant is unlikely to flee or pose a danger if released under § 3142(b) or (c). This evidence was discussed on the record in support of the Court's reasoning and includes, but is not limited to, evidence that: (1) Washington has a history of failing to comply with the terms of his supervision; (2) Washington's criminal history reflects arrests related to assault & battery for threatening a previous girlfriend's father, and weapons possession; and (3) Washington threated the brother of the alleged victim, later posting on social media a firearm. Given his poor adjustment to terms of supervision, his criminal history, and his continued possession of firearms as a prohibited person, there is a concern related to a danger to the community. For the combination of factors in this narrative, as well as those stated on the record, detention pending the supervised release violation hearing is warranted.
IV. Order
I ORDER the detention of Defendant without bail pending his supervised release violation hearing before District Judge Laurie J. Michelson.