United States of America v. Gordon Reid

2022 DNH 031

• Court: District Court, D. New Hampshire
• Decided: March 14, 2022
• Docket: 05-cr-57-1-SM
• Status: Published

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

United States of America

v. Case No. 05-cr-57-1-SM Opinion No. 2022 DNH 031 Gordon Reid

ORDER

Defendant moves for “compassionate release” from

incarceration under the First Step Act, 18 U.S.C. §

3582(a)(1)(A) on grounds that he is at risk of contracting

serious illness due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and due

to a spinal stenosis condition.

The burden is on defendant to show that he is entitled to

relief, that is, 1) that extraordinary and compelling reasons

warrant a reduction in his sentence, and 2) such a reduction

would be consistent with the Sentencing Commission Policies

(though that is not strictly required under the First Step Act).

Defendant has not met that burden. With respect to COVID-

19 risks, the widespread distribution and ready availability of

highly effective preventative vaccines, and treatment protocols

have substantially ameliorated serious health risks due to

COVID-19 infection. The government also notes that defendant

has been vaccinated. Spinal stenosis, though painful and

sometimes debilitating, is a common condition, particularly

among older people, and one that is amendable to treatment by

1 the Bureau of Prisons in the same general manner as it would be

treated outside of prison.

But even if defendant could establish an extraordinary and

compelling reason warranting a reduction of his sentence, such a

reduction would not be consistent with the sentencing factors

described in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(e), nor in the Sentencing

Commission policies. Defendant’s offense of conviction and his

criminal history make it plain that he poses a significant and

continuing risk to the safety of the community.

Conclusion

Given the declining risks associated with COVID-19 spread,

the ready availability of effective vaccines, that defendant is

vaccinated, the availability of new and effective treatment, the

general and treatable nature of spinal stenosis and the

continuing danger to the safety of the community posed by

defendant, and for the reasons given in the government’s

opposition memorandum, the motion for compassionate release

(doc. no. 680) and supplemental motion for compassionate release

(doc. no. 686) under the First Step Act are necessarily denied.

SO ORDERED.

____________________________ Steven J. McAuliffe United States District Judge March 14, 2022

cc: Aaron G. Gingrande, AUSA David J. Haynes, Esq. U.S. Probation U.S. Marshal