Opinion
Cause No. IP 05-82-CR-07 M/F.
July 19, 2005
ENTRY AND ORDER OF DETENTION PENDING TRIAL SUMMARY
The defendant is charged in an Indictment returned by a federal grand jury on June 7, 2005 that charges her and nine other individuals in count one with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and/or distribute:
-50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base (crack cocaine), a Schedule II Narcotic Controlled Substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A)(iii) and 846; and/or
-5 kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II Narcotic Controlled Substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A)(ii) and 846.
On July 1, 2005, at the initial appearance, the government filed a written motion for detention pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 3142(e), (f)(1)(B), (f)(1)(C), and (f)(2)(A), on the grounds that the defendant is charged with an offense for which the maximum sentence is life imprisonment, a drug trafficking offense with the maximum term of imprisonment of ten years or more is prescribed in the Controlled Substances Act, and the defendant is a serious risk of flight, if released. The detention hearing was held on July 7, 2005. The United States appeared by Barry D. Glickman, Assistant United States Attorney. Ms. Gossett appeared in person and by her appointed counsel, Thomas A. Brodnik.
Based on the Indictment returned by the grand jury, there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the crime she is charged with in the Indictment. The probable cause finding gave rise to the presumptions that there is no condition or combination of conditions which will reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant or the safety of the community. The defendant did not rebut either the presumption that she is a danger to the community or the presumption that she is a risk of flight and, consequently, was ordered detained.
FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. The defendant is charged in an Indictment returned by a federal grand jury on June 7, 2005 that charges her and nine other individuals in count one with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and/or distribute:
-50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base (crack cocaine), a Schedule II Narcotic Controlled Substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A)(iii) and 846; and/or
-5 kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II Narcotic Controlled Substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A)(ii) and 846.
2. The penalty for count one in the indictment is a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment.See 21 United States Code, Sections 841(b)(1)(A)(ii) and 841(b)(1)(A)(iii).
3. The Court takes judicial notice of the indictment in this cause. The Court further incorporates the evidence admitted during the detention hearing, as if set forth here.
4. At the detention hearing, counsel for the defendant proceeded by proffer. Counsel for the Government called Detective Sergeant Garth Schwomeyer, Safe Streets Task Force, and examined him on all issues before the Court.
5. Because an Indictment has been returned, there is probable cause for the offense that the defendant is charged with in the indictment, and the rebuttable presumptions arise that the defendant is a serious risk of flight and a danger to the community. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e).
6. The Court admitted a Pre-Trial Services Report (PS3) regarding defendant Loronda Gossett on the issue of her release or detention. Ms. Gossett is age 25 (DOB 4-20-80). The PS3 indicates the following:
(A) On September 7, 2001, Ms. Gossett was charged with Possession of Marijuana in Genessee County, Michigan. On January 28, 2002, Ms. Gossett failed to appear for a court proceeding and a bench warrant was issued for her arrest. The bench warrant remains outstanding.
7. The defendant has failed to rebut the presumption that she is a serious risk of flight, and a danger to the community and any other person. Therefore, Loronda Gossett is ORDERED DETAINED.
8. When a motion for pretrial detention is made, the Court engages a two-step analysis: first, the judicial officer determines whether one of six conditions exists for considering a defendant for pretrial detention; second, after a hearing, the Court determines whether the standard for pretrial detention is met. United States v. Friedman, 837 F.2d 48, 49 (2nd Cir. 1988).
A defendant may be considered for pretrial detention in only six circumstances: when a case involves one of either four types of offenses or two types of risks. A defendant is eligible for detention upon motion by the United States in cases involving (1) a crime of violence, (2) an offense with a maximum punishment of life imprisonment or death, (3) specified drug offenses carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years or more, or (4) any felony where the defendant has two or more federal convictions for the above offenses or state convictions for identical offenses, 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(1), or, upon motion by the United States or the Court sua sponte, in cases involving (5) a serious risk that the person will flee, or (6) a serious risk that the defendant will obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice, or threaten, injure, or intimidate, a prospective witness or juror. Id., § 3142(f)(2); United States v. Sloan, 820 F.Supp. 1133, 1135-36 (S.D. Ind. 1993). The existence of any of these six conditions triggers the detention hearing which is a prerequisite for an order of pretrial detention. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e). The judicial officer determines the existence of these conditions by a preponderance of the evidence. Friedman, 837 F.2d at 49. See United States v. DeBeir, 16 F.Supp.2d 592, 595 (D. Md. 1998) (serious risk of flight); United States v. Carter, 996 F.Supp. 260, 265 (W.D.N.Y. 1998) (same). In this case, the United States moves for detention pursuant to § 3142(f)(1)(B), (C), and (f)(2)(A) and the Court has found these bases exist.
Once it is determined that a defendant qualifies under any of the six conditions of § 3142(f), the court may order a defendant detained before trial if the judicial officer finds that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the appearance of the person as required and the safety of any other person and the community. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e). Detention may be based on a showing of either dangerousness or risk of flight; proof of both is not required. United States v. Fortna, 769 F.2d 243, 249 (5th Cir. 1985). With respect to reasonably assuring the appearance of the defendant, the United States bears the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence. United States v. Portes, 786 F.2d 758, 765 (7th Cir. 1985); United States v. Himler, 797 F.2d 156, 161 (3rd Cir. 1986); United States v. Vortis, 785 F.2d 327, 328-29 (D.C. Cir.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 841, 107 S.Ct. 148, 93 L.Ed.2d 89 (1986); Fortna, 769 F.2d at 250; United States v. Chimurenga, 760 F.2d 400, 405-06 (2nd Cir. 1985); United States v. Orta, 760 F.2d 887, 891 n. 20 (8th Cir. 1985); United States v. Leibowitz, 652 F.Supp. 591, 596 (N.D. Ind. 1987). With respect to reasonably assuring the safety of any other person and the community, the United States bears the burden of proving its allegations by clear and convincing evidence. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f); United States v. Salerno, 481 U.S. 739, 742, 107 S.Ct. 2095, 2099, 95 L.Ed.2d 697 (1987); Portes, 786 F.2d at 764; Orta, 760 F.2d at 891 n. 18; Leibowitz, 652 F.Supp. at 596; United States v. Knight, 636 F.Supp. 1462, 1465 (S.D. Fla. 1986). Clear and convincing evidence is something more than a preponderance of the evidence but less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Addington v. Texas, 441 U.S. 418, 431-33, 99 S.Ct. 1804, 1812-13, 60 L.Ed.2d 323 (1979). The standard for pretrial detention is "reasonable assurance"; a court may not order pretrial detention because there is no condition or combination of conditions which would guarantee the defendant's appearance or the safety of the community. Portes, 786 F.2d at 764 n. 7; Fortna, 769 F.2d at 250; Orta, 760 F.2d at 891-92.
9. A rebuttable presumption that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the defendants' appearance or the safety of any other person and the community arises when the judicial officer finds that there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed an offense under (1) the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.; the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, 21 U.S.C. § 951 et seq., or the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, 46 U.S.C. App. § 1901 et seq., for which a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years is prescribed; (2) 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); (3) 18 U.S.C. § 956(a); or (4) 18 U.S.C. § 2332b. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e).
This presumption creates a burden of production upon a defendant, not a burden of persuasion: the defendant must produce a basis for believing that he will appear as required and will not pose a danger to the community. Although most rebuttable presumptions disappear when any evidence is presented in opposition, a § 3142(e) presumption is not such a "bursting bubble". Portes, 786 F.2d at 765; United States v. Jessup, 757 F.2d 378, 383 (1st Cir. 1985). Therefore, when a defendant has rebutted a presumption by producing some evidence contrary to it, a judge should still give weight to Congress' finding and direction that repeat offenders involved in crimes of violence or drug trafficking, as a general rule, pose special risks of flight and dangers to the community. United States v. Dominguez, 783 F.2d 702, 707 (7th Cir. 1986) (presumption of dangerousness); United States v. Diaz, 777 F.2d 1236, 1238 (7th Cir. 1985); Jessup, 757 F.2d at 383.
The Court has found the presumptions arise in this case and have not been rebutted.
10. If the defendant had rebutted the presumptions, the Court would consider the evidence presented on the issue of release or detention weighed in accordance with the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g) and the legal standards set forth above. Among the factors considered both on the issue of flight and dangerousness to the community is the defendant's character, physical and mental condition, family ties, employment, financial resources, length of residence in the community, community ties, past conduct, history relating to drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and record concerning appearances at court proceedings. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g)(3)(A). The presence of community ties and related ties have been found to have no correlation with the issue of safety of the community. United States v. Delker, 757 F.2d 1390, 1396 (3rd Cir. 1985); S.Rep. No. 98-225, 98th Cong., 1st Sess. at 24, reprinted in 1984 U.S. Code Cong. Admin. News 3182, 3207-08.
11. In this regard, the Court finds and concludes that the evidence in this case demonstrates the following:
a. From July of 2004, continuing through June 0f 2005, the defendant and other individuals were involved in a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for obtaining and transporting large amounts of cocaine to the Southern District of Indiana. The defendant was and active and integral member of the charged conspiracy.
b. The defendant's bond in a related state case was posted, in part, by Avery Beeks, a co-defendant and the source of supply of the majority of cocaine in this case. Beeks posted the titles of 5 or 6 motor vehicles as collateral for the bond. The motor vehicles are subject to criminal forfeiture in this cause.
c. The evidence demonstrates a strong probability of conviction.
d. The mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years on count one, when coupled with the fact that the defendant has failed to appear for a prior court proceeding, substantially increases the seriousness of her risk for flight.
The Court having weighed the evidence regarding the factors found in 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g), and based upon the totality of evidence set forth above, concludes that if the defendant had rebutted the presumptions in favor of detention, she nevertheless, would be detained, because she is a serious risk of flight and clearly and convincingly a danger to the community.
WHEREFORE, Loronda Gossett is hereby committed to the custody of the Attorney General or his designated representative for confinement in a corrections facility separate, to the extent practicable, from persons awaiting or serving sentences or being held in custody pending appeal. She shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity for private consultation with defense counsel. Upon order of this Court or on request of an attorney for the government, the person in charge of the corrections facility shall deliver the defendant to the United States Marshal for the purpose of an appearance in connection with the Court proceeding.