Opinion
No. 3:16-cr-373-M (12)
12-07-2017
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. SONYA NICOLE WOODSON, Defendant.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER OF DETENTION
In the Order Accepting Report and Recommendation of the United States Magistrate Judge Concerning Plea of Guilty, dated November 13, 2017, Chief Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn has referred this matter to the undersigned United States magistrate judge for a hearing to determine whether it has been clearly shown that there are exceptional circumstances under 18 U.S.C. § 3145(c) why Defendant Sonya Nicole Woodson should not be detained under 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a)(2) and whether it has been shown by clear and convincing evidence that Defendant Sonya Nicole Woodson is not likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or the community if released under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(b) or (c). See Dkt. No. 508.
Background
Defendant is set for sentencing before Chief Judge Lynn on February 28, 2018. See Dkt. No. 500. "[W]hether a defendant should be released pending trial and whether a defendant should be released pending sentencing or appeal are distinct inquiries governed by different provisions of the Bail Reform Act." United States v. Lee, 31 F. App'x 151, No. 01-30876, 2001 WL 1747632, at *1 (5th Cir. Dec. 4, 2001).
"The provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3143 govern release pending sentencing or appeal." FED. R. CRIM. P. 46(c). 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a)(2) dictates that the Court "shall order that a person who has been found guilty of an offense in a case described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of subsection (f)(1) of section 3142 and is awaiting imposition or execution of sentence be detained unless - (A)(i) the judicial officer finds there is a substantial likelihood that a motion for acquittal or new trial will be granted; or (ii) an attorney for the Government has recommended that no sentence of imprisonment be imposed on the person; and (B) the judicial officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or the community." 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a)(2).
Defendant filed a motion for continued pretrial release in which she identifies the exceptional circumstances under 18 U.S.C. § 3145(c) that she contends justify her continued release post-conviction and in which she addresses whether she is likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or the community if released under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(b) or (c) pending sentencing. See Dkt. No. 587.
The Court held a hearing on December 7, 2017 on the matters referred by Chief Judge Lynn, at which Defendant appeared in person and through counsel and the government's counsel appeared. See Dkt. No. 600.
Legal Standards and Analysis
As a preliminary matter, Defendant is subject to mandatory detention under Section 3143(a)(2) because she has, on a guilty plea, now been adjudged guilty of a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. See Dkt. Nos. 364, 365, 393, & 508. That is "an offense in a case described in subparagraph (A) ... of subsection (f)(1) of section 3142," specifically, "an offense for which a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years or more is prescribed in the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.)."
Defendant therefore must be detained pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a)(2) unless she meets the conditions of release set forth in Section 3143(a)(2) or 18 U.S.C. § 3145(c). Release of "a person who has been found guilty of an offense in a case described in [18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(1)(A)] and is awaiting imposition or execution of sentence" requires that "the judicial officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or the community." 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a)(2)(B); see also United States v. Morrison, 833 F.3d 491, 506 (5th Cir. 2016) ("The decision to detain Jacqueline after conviction is a common one because of the presumption in favor of detention that attaches to a convicted defendant. See 18 U.S.C. § 3143."); United States v. Lopez, 504 F. App'x 297, 298 (5th Cir. 2012) ("A defendant who has been convicted 'shall ... be detained' pending sentencing 'unless the judicial officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to the safety of any other person or the community if released.' Thus, there is a presumption against release pending sentencing." (footnotes omitted)). As the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has repeatedly recognized, Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 46(c) and Section 3143(a)(1) impose a burden on a convicted defendant seeking release pending sentencing to show by clear and convincing evidence that she or he is not a flight risk or a danger to the community. See 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a)(1); FED. R. CRIM. P. 46(c) ("The burden of establishing that the defendant will not flee or pose a danger to any other person or to the community rests with the defendant."); United States v. Lockett, 549 F. App'x 269 (mem.), No. 13-11097, 2013 WL 6623771, at *1 (5th Cir. Dec. 17, 2013).
Further, Defendant must meet the conditions of release set forth in Section 3143(a)(2)(A) or 3145(c). Defendant cannot, and does not claim that she can, satisfy the Section 3143(a)(2)(A) showing that there is a substantial likelihood that a motion for acquittal or new trial will be granted or that an attorney for the government has recommended that no sentence of imprisonment be imposed on Defendant.
18 U.S.C. § 3145(c) provides that "[a] person subject to detention pursuant to [18 U.S.C. §] 3143(a)(2) or (b)(2), and who meets the conditions of release set forth in [18 U.S.C. §] 3143(a)(1) or (b)(1), may be ordered released, under appropriate conditions, by the judicial officer, if it is clearly shown that there are exceptional reasons why such person's detention would not be appropriate." As reflected in the Report and Recommendation Concerning Plea of Guilty [Dkt. No. 393], Section 3145(c) provides an alternative basis for pre-sentencing release under "exceptional circumstances," so long as Defendant also makes the required showing under Section 3143(a)(1) and 3143(a)(2)(B) - that is, by clear and convincing evidence that Defendant is not likely to flee or pose a danger to the safety of any other person or the community if released under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(b) or 3142(c) pending sentencing. See United States v. Carr, 947 F.2d 1239, 1240 (5th Cir. 1991).
The Court finds that Defendant has made the required showing that she is not likely to flee or pose a danger to the safety of any other person or the community if continued on release. As Defendant explains in her motion.
Ms. Woodson is scheduled for sentencing on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. She entered her plea of guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment on October 17, 2017. She has been on conditions of release from August 24, 2016 to November 2017. Those conditions have been followed by the Defendant.Dkt. 587 at 1-2.
Ms. Woodson has acknowledged her guilt and knows that she is facing a sentence of incarceration. Counsel is respectfully asking the Court to Continue Conditions of Release and allow Ms. Woodson to return to her home in Dallas, Texas until sentencing. In support of this request, counsel would direct the Court to the following factors in determining Ms. Woodson's release pending sentencing. First, Ms. Woodson has gainful employment. She works for Aries Shuttle at DFW Airport in a supervisory role on the morning shift. Second, Ms. Woodson has worked at Aries since April 2014. She has been steadily employed for the last 13+ years. Allowing her to continue to work will help her support her family and give them some financial means when she begins her sentence. Ms. Woodson has one child who is 11 years old for whom she is the primary caregiver. She supports him not only through her work but also with insurance. She is very active in his life. Third, Ms. Woodson's grandmother's health is such that she is no longer able to drive. Ms. Woodson takes care of her when needed and transports her to any appointments or errands that are necessary. Fourth, Ms. Woodson has multiple grandchildren who live locally. She keeps her grandchildren on Fridays and Saturdays while their parents are working. It is apparent that Ms. Woodson is an integral part of her immediate family members' lives. Finally, this Court can put in place conditions of release that meet the requirements of 18 U.S.C. §§ 3141 and 3142.
The issue of Defendant's presentencing release therefore turns on whether "it is clearly shown that there are exceptional reasons why [Defendant's] detention [pending sentencing] would not be appropriate." 18 U.S.C. § 3145(c). In support of that showing, Defendants asserts that her "[c]ounsel has conferred with the Assistant United States Attorney in this case, and she is not opposed to Ms. Woodson continuing on Pre-Trial Release" and "that a combination of factors set out [above] give this Court support for finding exceptional circumstances exist to allow continued release." Dkt. No. 587 at 3. But,
[i]f the Court decides to not continue Ms. Woodson on Pre-Trial Release or set new conditions of release, counsel asks that, in the Alternative, the Court allow Ms. Woodson to return home for a period of time to get her affairs in order. This Court has the authority and may "by subsequent order, permit the temporary release of the person, in the custody of a United States Marshal or another appropriate person, to the extent that the judicial officer determines such release to be necessary for preparation of the person's defense or for another compelling reason." 18 U.S.C.A. § 3142. In light of her pending incarceration and her current responsibilities, a period of time to wrap up her affairs with and for her family is reasonable. We believe that Ms. Woodson is not a threat to society, nor is she likely to flee based on her current family situation and her gainful employment.Id. at 3.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has explained that the "exceptional reasons" provision "was added to § 3145(c) with the mandatory detention provisions of § 3143(a)(2) and (b)(2) and was apparently designed to provide an avenue for exceptional discretionary relief from those provisions." Carr, 947 F.2d at 1240. The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit offers a working definition of "exceptional reasons": "a unique combination of circumstances giving rise to situations that are out of the ordinary." United States v. DiSomma, 951 F.2d 494, 497 (2d Cir. 1991). That court also explained that, in assessing reasons proffered as the basis for release under Section 3145(c), "a case by case evaluation is essential." Id. The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has similarly explained that "'exceptional' means 'clearly out of the ordinary, uncommon, or rare.'" United States v. Little, 485 F.3d 1210, 1211 (8th Cir. 2007) (citation omitted). One court has explained that, "to avoid emasculating the mandatory detention statute[,] 'exceptional reasons review is limited to determining whether remanding the defendant to custody until sentencing would be tantamount to subjecting individuals to unjust detention.'" United States v. Thomas, No. 10-cr-229, 2010 WL 3323805, at *2 (D.N.J. Aug. 20, 2010) (quoting United States v. Christman, 712 F. Supp. 2d 651, 655 (E.D. Ky. 2010)).
District courts in this circuit have noted a variety of circumstances that do not rise to the level of exceptional. See United States v. Cyrus, No. 10-0228-04, 2010 WL 5437247, at *1-*2 (W.D. La. Dec. 27, 2010) (need to "secure his home and attend to other personal matters" were not exceptional reasons justifying release pending sentencing); United States v. Douglas, 824 F. Supp. 98, 99-100 (N.D. Tex. 1993) (defendant's cooperation with the government that subjected him to potential retaliation by co-defendants and his attempts at rehabilitation did not constitute exceptional reasons); United States v. Dempsey, No. 91-098, 1991 WL 255382, at *1-*2 (E.D. La. Nov. 19, 1991) (poor health, emotional and mental problems, and need to properly prepare his business and his family for his long absence were not exceptional circumstances); United States v. Scott, No. 1:95-CR-80-1, 1995 WL 723752, at *1-*2 (E.D. Tex. Nov. 22, 1995) (need to assist parent was a purely personal reason that was no more exceptional than those routinely rejected by courts); see also United States v. Landry, No. CR 15-32-JWD-SCR, 2015 WL 5202458, at *2-*4 (M.D. La. Sept. 4, 2015); United States v. Posada, 109 F. Supp. 3d 911, 912-16 (W.D. Tex. 2015).
The facts that Defendant urges as exceptional circumstances, including her compliance with all of her conditions of pretrial release, are certainly commendable. But the Court determines - as have many other courts when presented with similar arguments for presentencing release - that Defendant's proffered reasons for continuing her release are not, in and of themselves or taken together, a unique combination of circumstances giving rise to a situation that is out of the ordinary.
Under Section 3145(c), a defendant who is compliant with her release conditions and doing everything that she should is - however commendable - not so out of the ordinary and, in that sense, "exceptional" among defendants who are on release at the time that they are found guilty as to justify an exception to Section 3142(a)(2)'s rule of mandatory detention. See generally United States v. Bernard, No. 1:12-cr-00022-JAW-02, 2013 WL 145582, at *2 (D. Me. Jan. 14, 2013) ("One way of thinking about compliance with the terms of pretrial release and a lack of significant criminal history is that they make out a necessary but not sufficient showing for release under § 3145(c).").
And many other courts have concluded that most proffered reasons for continuing release - including the reasons that Defendant offers here - are not, in and of themselves or taken together, a unique combination of circumstances giving rise to a situation that is out of the ordinary. See United States v. Velarde, 555 F. App'x 840, 841 (10th Cir. 2014) (noting that "'the cases establish that mere personal reasons, including caring for a family or gainful employment, are not 'exceptional''" (quoting United States v. Miller, 568 F. Supp. 2d 764, 774 (E.D. Ky. 2008) (collecting cases))); United States v. Nickell, 512 F. App'x 660, 661 (8th Cir. 2013) (finding that a defendant's taking care of his children and remaining gainfully employed did not constitute exceptional reasons); United States v. Mahoney, 627 F.3d 705, 706 (8th Cir. 2010) ("It is well settled that compliance with the terms of pretrial release is commendable but does not justify release under section 3145(c)."); Little, 485 F.3d at 1211 ("It is not exceptional to expect every defendant to timely appear in court and to obey the court's order concerning pretrial conditions of release."); United States v. Larue, 478 F.3d 924, 925 (8th Cir. 2007) (concluding that a defendant's release pending sentencing was improper because "compliance with the terms of his pretrial release, his lack of a criminal record, his payment of child support, and his ongoing employment are commendable, but they are not are not clearly out of the ordinary, uncommon, or rare" (citation and internal quotation marks omitted)); United States v. Lea, 360 F.3d 401, 403-04 (2d Cir. 2004) ("There is nothing 'exceptional about going to school, being employed, or being a first-time offender, either separately or in combination.")); United States v. Mostrom, 11 F.3d 93, 95 (8th Cir. 1993) (holding that "compliance with pretrial supervision and gainful employment up until the date of sentencing are not, in and of themselves, 'exceptional reasons why such person's detention would not be appropriate'").
Conclusion
Accordingly, the Court finds that it has not been clearly shown that there are exceptional circumstances under 18 U.S.C. § 3145(c) why Defendant Sonya Nicole Woodson should not be detained under 18 U.S.C. § 3143(a)(2), and so Defendant Sonya Nicole Woodson will be detained pending sentencing.
It is therefore ORDERED that Defendant Sonya Nicole Woodson be committed to the custody of the Attorney General and United States Marshal for further proceedings. As ordered at the hearing, Defendant Sonya Nicole Woodson must report to and surrender at the U.S. Marshal's Service at 1100 Commerce Street, 16th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75242 on Monday, December 18, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. It is ORDERED that Defendant Sonya Nicole Woodson, while being so held, be afforded reasonable opportunity for private consultation with counsel.
SO ORDERED.
DATED: December 7, 2017
/s/_________
DAVID L. HORAN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
See also Posada, 109 F. Supp. 3d at 915-16 ("Similarly, none of Posada's reasons rise to an 'exceptional' level. Notably, the question presented is whether there are any 'exceptional reasons' in the case which would permit Posada to escape the otherwise mandatory requirement of § 3143(a)(2) - that he be immediately confined following sentencing for the qualifying offense he committed. It is his burden to show that 'exceptional reasons' exist why his detention would be inappropriate, not why his release would be appropriate. Each of his proffered reasons may, on its own, be an appropriate reason for release, but none is an 'exceptional reason' for why his detention would be inappropriate given the statutory mandate. Each reason involves a purely personal matter that individually, and in combination, is no more out of the ordinary and no more unique than those of other persons subject to detention. It is a natural, if unfortunate, byproduct of the criminal justice system that one's personal affairs will be disrupted and that others beyond the defendant, most likely family, will feel the effects of his incarceration. See United States v. Scott, No. 1:95-CR-80-1, 1995 WL 723752, at *2 (E.D. Tex. Nov. 22, 1995) (finding that the need to assist an infirm parent did not demonstrate an 'exceptional reason' because 'a defendant's incarceration regularly creates difficulties for him and his family' (quoting United States v. Mahabir, 858 F. Supp. 504, 508 (D. Md.1994))). However, this does not alter the personal nature of those effects and disruptions. That the government does not oppose the relief sought and that Posada has complied with all of the terms of his pretrial release are also unremarkable and unexceptional reasons. In regards to the latter, the Court expects all individuals who avail themselves of pretrial release to comply with the conditions of their bond. That Posada has done so is commendable, but it is not an exceptional reason to delay his detention. In fact, Posada has already enjoyed the fruits of his labor by remaining out on bond while his case was pending. As to the former, like the other reasons Posada advances, the government's non-opposition is a reason why release would be appropriate, but not a reason why his immediate detention would be inappropriate in light of Congress' explicit preference for immediate detention.").