United States v. Ball

962 F. Supp. 2d 11, 2013 WL 4483500, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 119772
CourtDistrict Court, District of Columbia
DecidedAugust 23, 2013
DocketCriminal Action No. 05-100 (RWR)
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 962 F. Supp. 2d 11 (United States v. Ball) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, District of Columbia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Ball, 962 F. Supp. 2d 11, 2013 WL 4483500, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 119772 (D.D.C. 2013).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

RICHARD W. ROBERTS, Chief Judge.

Defendants Antwuan Ball, Desmond Thurston, and Joseph Jones were convicted of distribution of cocaine base (“crack”) and are currently appealing their sentences in the court of appeals. The defendants moved for release pending their appeal. Because the defendants have not met their burden to show that they pose no flight risk or danger to the community during release or that their appeal raises a substantial question likely to result in a reversal, the defendants’ motion will be denied.

BACKGROUND

Eighteen people were indicted for a multitude of narcotics offenses and crimes of violence committed in the Congress Park area. Ball, the alleged leader, Thurston, and Jones were among the eighteen. Eight1 pled guilty to conspiring for thirteen years with Ball, Thurston, and Jones, to engage in narcotics racketeering. One2 was tried separately and convicted of, among other charges, engaging in a thirteen-year narcotics conspiracy with Ball, Thurston, and Jones; another3 pled guilty to engaging in a lengthy narcotics conspiracy with Ball and Thurston. Yet another4 pled guilty to manslaughter while armed.

Ball, Thurston, and Jones were tried together with others and convicted of multiple crack sales, but acquitted of conspiracy. Each defendant’s sentencing guidelines range, though, was calculated using as relevant conduct evidence of the 1.5 kilograms of crack cocaine involved in the conspiracy. Ball was convicted under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(l)(B)(iii) of one count of distribution of 11.6 grams of crack cocaine. His guidelines range was 292 to 365 months imprisonment. He was sentenced to 225 months in prison and 60 months of supervised release. Thurston was convicted under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) of two counts of unlawful distribution of a total of approximately 1.7 grams of crack cocaine. His guidelines range was 262 to 327 months imprisonment. He was sentenced to 194 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release on each count to be served concurrently. Jones was convicted under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) of two counts of unlawful distribution of a total of approximately 1.8 grams of crack cocaine. His guidelines range was 324 to 405 months imprisonment. He was sentenced to 180 months in prison and 72 months of supervised release on each count to be served concurrently. The defendants are currently appealing their sentences in the court of appeals.

The defendants move for release pending their appeal arguing that they are not flight risks and do not pose a danger to the [14]*14community, and that their appeals raise substantial questions of law which likely will result in reversal. The government opposes, arguing that none of the requirements for release pending appeal has been met.

DISCUSSION
The Bail Reform Act provides that “a person who has been found guilty of an offense and sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and who has filed an appeal” shall be detained unless the court finds “that the person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to the safety of any other person or the community if released” and “that the appeal is not for purpose of delay and raises a substantial question of law or fact likely to result in reversal.”

United States v. Perholtz, 836 F.2d 554, 555 (D.C.Cir.1988) (per curiam) (quoting 18 U.S.C. § 3143(b)). Generally, a judicial officer must detain any person found guilty of “an offense for which a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years or more is prescribed in the Controlled Substances Act[.]” 18 U.S.C. §§ 3142(f)(1)(C), 3143(b)(2). However, a person subject to detention under § 3143(b)(2) “who meets the conditions of release ... 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.” 18 U.S.C. § 3145(c). Here, it is undisputed that the defendants were convicted of offenses that trigger the mandatory detention provision. See Defs.’ Mem. of P. & A. Supporting Defs.’ Mot. for Release (“Defs.’ Mem.”) at 5; Govt.’s Opp’n to Defs.’ Mot. for Release at 5. Thus, § 3143 would normally bar release for these defendants. To qualify for release pending appeal, then, the defendants must show that the statutory requirements of 18 U.S.C. § 3143(b) are met and that there are “exceptional reasons” for release.5 See United States v. Jones, 800 F.Supp.2d 90, 93 (D.D.C.2011).

I. FLIGHT RISK AND DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY

For the defendants to qualify for release under the Bail Reform Act, the court must find “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 under section 3142(b) or (c)[.]” 18 U.S.C. § 3143(b). Under § 3142, the court is required to consider

(1) the nature and circumstances of the offense ...;
(2) the weight of evidence against the person;
(3) the history and characteristics of the person, including—
(A) the person’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 appearance at court proceedings; and
(4) the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person or the community that would be posed by the person’s release.

18 U.S.C. § 3142(g). “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.” [15]*15Fed.R.Crim.P. 46(c). The D.C. Circuit has recognized that “society is endangered when courts release those individuals onto the community whose past conduct indicates that they are likely to possess, control or distribute controlled substances.” United States v. Anderson, 670 F.2d 328, 330 (D.C.Cir.1982) (per curiam). In particular, the Anderson

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
962 F. Supp. 2d 11, 2013 WL 4483500, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 119772, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-ball-dcd-2013.