Opinion
CRIMINAL W-15-CR-016-ADA
03-13-2024
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. OTIS CORTEZ WILLIAMS
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
JEFFREY C. MANSKE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
TO: THE HONORABLE ALAN D ALBRIGHT, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
The undersigned submits this Report and Recommendation to the district judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Rule 1 of Appendix C of the Local Court Rules of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Local Rules for the Assignment of Duties to United States Magistrate Judges. Before the Court is the petition of the United States Probation Office recommending the revocation of the Defendant's term of supervision. The district judge referred the matter to the undersigned for the preparation of a report and recommendation.
I. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
The Defendant was found guilty of Possession of Visual Depictions of Sexual Activities by Minors in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B), 2252A(b)(2), and 2256(8)(A). The Court sentenced the Defendant to 120 months custody, a five-year term of supervised release, a $100.00 special assessment); and $3,000.00 restitution. On August 11, 2023, the Defendant was released to his term of supervision. On February 15, 2024, the United States Probation Office filed a Petition for Warrant or Summons for Offender Under Supervision, alleging the Defendant violated the terms of his release and seeking a show-cause hearing as to why the Defendant's supervised release should not be revoked. The petition alleged the Defendant violated the terms of his release in the following instances:
Violation Number 1: The defendant violated a special condition, in that, on or about February 14, 2024, the defendant was unsuccessfully discharged from the residential reentry center due to violating the rules and regulations of the center.
Violation Number 2: The defendant violated a special condition, in that, on or about February 13, 2024, the defendant admitted to viewing sexually explicit material on his cellular device.
Violation Number 3: The defendant violated a special condition, in that, on or about February 13, 2024, the defendant admitted to unauthorized internet access.
Violation Number 4: The defendant violated a special condition, in that, on or about February 13, 2024, the defendant admitted to associating with children under the age of 18 without the approval of his probation officer.
II. FINDINGS OF THE COURT
At the hearing, the Defendant pleaded true to the violations, and offered mitigating testimony. The government presented evidence that would support a finding of true, by a preponderance of the evidence, as to the violations.
1. The Defendant violated the conditions of his supervision as alleged in the petition.
2. The Defendant was competent to make the decision to enter a plea to the allegations.
3. The Defendant had both a factual and rational understanding of the proceedings against him.
4. The Defendant did not suffer from any physical or mental impairment that would affect his ability to fully understand the charges against him or the consequences of his plea.
5. The Defendant has not had any injury that would affect his judgment in entering a plea or that would affect his understanding of the basis, consequences, or effect of his plea.
6. The Defendant was sane and mentally competent to stand trial for these proceedings.
7. The Defendant was sane and mentally competent to assist his attorney in the preparation and conduct of his defense.
8. The Defendant received a copy of the petition naming him, and he either read it or had it read to him.
9. The Defendant understood the petition and the charges alleged against him and had the opportunity to discuss the petition and charges with his attorney.
10. The Defendant understood that he had the right to present evidence and to cross-examine witnesses at the hearing.
11. The Defendant freely, intelligently, and voluntarily entered his plea to the allegations.
12. The Defendant understood his statutory and constitutional rights and desired to waive them.
III. RECOMMENDATION
The undersigned has carefully considered all the arguments and evidence presented by the parties and RECOMMENDS that the Defendant be remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal for ninety days followed by a four-year term of supervised release. As special conditions of supervised release, the Defendant shall reside in a residential re-entry center for a term of up to 180 days, upon bedspace being made available. The Court requests that the placement be made in the Austin, Texas area. The Defendant shall undergo a mental health evaluation and participate in whatever counseling is deemed appropriate. The original conditions of supervised release shall be re-imposed.
IV. WARNINGS
The parties may file objections to this Report and Recommendation. A party filing objections must specifically identify those findings or recommendations to which objections are being made. The district court need not consider frivolous, conclusive, or general objections. See Battles v. United States Parole Comm'n, 834 F.2d 419, 421 (5th Cir. 1987).
A party's failure to file written objections to the proposed findings and recommendations contained in this Report within fourteen (14) days after the party is served with a copy of the Report shall bar that party from de novo review by the district judge of the proposed findings and recommendations in the Report and, except upon grounds of plain error, shall bar the party from appellate review of unobjected-to proposed factual findings and legal conclusions accepted by the district judge. See 28 U.S.C. 636(b)(1)(C); Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 150-53 (1985); Douglass v. United Services Automobile Association, 79 F.3d 1415, 1428-29 (5th Cir. 1996) (en banc).