United States v. Bell

197 F. Supp. 2d 192, 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4382, 2002 WL 413906
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Pennsylvania
DecidedMarch 15, 2002
DocketCriminal Action 98-509-1
StatusPublished

This text of 197 F. Supp. 2d 192 (United States v. Bell) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Bell, 197 F. Supp. 2d 192, 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4382, 2002 WL 413906 (E.D. Pa. 2002).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM & ORDER

KATZ, Senior District Judge.

On November 3, 1998, defendant Eric Bell pled guilty to one count of bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344. On January 28, 1999, this court imposed a sentence of 27 months of imprisonment consecutive to the defendant’s state sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered restitution to be paid in the amount of $57,800.88. Mr. Bell’s supervised release commenced on February 9, 2001. On April 12, 2001, this court set a schedule for the defendant to make monthly payments of $20.00 towards his outstanding restitution balance. On April 18, 2001, this court ordered that the defendant provide his probation officer with access to certain financial information and that he not open new lines of credit or make any new credit charges unless approved by the Probation Office. On July 26, 2001, this court tolled defendant’s supervision effective June 4, 2001 until August 2, 2001 because defendant was detained on a violation of state parole. On November 14, 2001, this court modified defendant’s supervised release by ordering defendant to serve a term of four months at a Community Treatment Center as soon as a bed became available, with no further term of supervised release imposed.

Now before the court is a petition for revocation of supervised release by the Probation Office dated February 7, 2002 as amended by the submission by the Probation Office dated February 12, 2002, and as further amended by the submission by the Probation Office dated March 12, 2002. Upon consideration of the submissions of the government attorney and the Probation Office, and after a hearing, the court makes the following findings of fact and conclusions of law.

Findings of Fact

1. A general condition of defendant’s supervised release as imposed on January 28, 1999 was that he refrain from any unlawful use of a controlled substance.

2. A modification condition of defendant’s supervised release as imposed on November 14, 2001 was that defendant serve a term of four months at a Community Treatment Center as soon as a bed date becomes available, with no further term of supervised release following the conclusion of that sentence.

3. On December 11, 2001,' the defendant was admitted to the Kintock Group.

4. On January 22, 2002, the defendant’s urinalysis specimen tested positive for marijuana.

*194 5. On February 1, 2002, Kintock Group discharged defendant as a program failure, because of his positive drug test.

6. Since the November 14, 2001 hearing before this court, the defendant has also submitted urinalysis specimens that tested positive for marijuana on the following dates: November 29, 2001, January 2, 2002, and February 5, 2002.

7. A general condition of defendant’s supervised release as imposed on January 28, 1999 is that he not commit another federal, state or local crime.

8. On March 9, 2002, defendant was arrested by the Philadelphia Police Department and charged with one count of driving under the influence. The arrest report states that the defendant was stopped by the police after his vehicle was observed drifting out of the traffic lane. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer noticed a cloud of smoke and the odor of marijuana coming from the car. The defendant failed a field sobriety test. A court hearing in this matter is scheduled for March 18, 2002.

9. The defendant informed his probation officer of the arrest on March 12, 2002, and admitted to smoking marijuana and to subsequently driving the car stopped by the police on March 9, 2002.

10. A special condition of defendant’s supervised release as imposed on April 12, 2001 is that he make monthly payments of $20.00 toward his restitution, pending further report by the Probation Office.

11. The defendant has made only two such payments toward his restitution, one paid in May, 2001 and another in October, 2001.

12. A general condition of defendant’s supervised release as imposed on January 28, 1999 is that defendant shall report to the Probation Office, as directed by the court or probation officer.

13. On November 21, 2001, U.S. Probation Officer John Lackey instructed the defendant to report to the Probation Office on November 27, 2001.

14. On November 27, 2001, the defendant failed to report to the Probation Office.

15. Another general condition of defendant’s supervised release as imposed on January 28, 1999 was that he work regularly at a lawful occupation unless excused by the probation officer for schooling, training, or other acceptable reasons.

16. At no time while he has been on supervised release has the defendant maintained consistent employment.

Conclusions of Law

1. Supervised release is governed by the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3583. In determining a modification of supervised release, the court is to consider the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(1). See 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e). These factors include the nature and circumstances of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need for the sentence to punish, deter, protect the public, and rehabilitate. See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). The court should also consider the types of sentences available, relevant policy statements, and the need to avoid sentencing disparities. See id.

2. If, after considering the foregoing factors, the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that the defendant has violated a condition of supervised release, the court may revoke supervised release. See 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e).

3. Upon finding that a defendant violated a condition of supervised release specifically by possessing a controlled substance, however, the court is required to revoke supervised release and impose a sentence that includes a term of imprison-

*195 U.S. v. BELL Cite as 197 F.Supp.2d 192 (E.D.Pa. 2002) 195 ment. See 18 U.S.C. § 3583(g); see also U.S.S.G. § 7B1.4 cmt. n. 5. However, the court shall consider whether the availability of appropriate substance abuse treatment programs, or an individual’s current or past participation in such programs, warrants an exception in accordance with United States Sentencing Commission guidelines from the rule of section 3583(g) when considering any action against a defendant who fails a drug test. See 18 U.S.C.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

United States v. Joseph Schwegel
126 F.3d 551 (Third Circuit, 1997)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
197 F. Supp. 2d 192, 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4382, 2002 WL 413906, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-bell-paed-2002.