United States v. Hernandez

375 F. Supp. 2d 1173, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28148, 2004 WL 3403126
CourtDistrict Court, D. New Mexico
DecidedDecember 23, 2004
DocketCR 03-1890 JB
StatusPublished

This text of 375 F. Supp. 2d 1173 (United States v. Hernandez) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. New Mexico primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Hernandez, 375 F. Supp. 2d 1173, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28148, 2004 WL 3403126 (D.N.M. 2004).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

BROWNING, District Judge.

THIS MATTER comes before the Court on the Defendant’s Objections to Presen-tence Report, filed December 17, 2004 (Doc. 246). The Court held a sentencing hearing on this matter December 20, 2004. Based on the reasons stated at the sentencing, and consistent with those reasons, the Court will amend the PSR to resolve Hernandez’ objections.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Court records indicate that Hernandez admitted committing the offense of Possession of Marijuana Under One Ounce and that the state court found him to be a delinquent child. According to the Consent Decree filed June 2, 1998: “The Child has freely and voluntarily admitted to or declared the intention not to contest being a delinquent child in need of care or rehabilitation as alleged in the Delinquency Petition by committing the following delinquent act: lesser included ct 1: poss marijuana under 1 oz.” The state court placed Hernandez on supervised probation for a period of six months.

The Probation Officer contacted a representative of the Children’s Court Division *1174 and learned the state court had not dismissed the case. The representative stated that the state court adjudicated Hernandez delinquent and sentenced him to a six month term of probation. Hernandez, however, presented to the Court an Order of Dismissal from the Second Judicial District Court, Children’s Court Division, County of Bernalillo, State of New Mexico, dated December 17, 2004.

PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Paragraphs 20 and 21 of the PSR state:

20. Pretrial Services records indicate that on February 10, 2004, the defendant reported to his Pretrial Services officer that his fiancé called the Albuquerque Police Department on February 7, 2004 and filled a report accusing him of pushing her. Furthermore, on February 18, 2004, the defendant’s State probation Officer, Jack Brodeur, contacted Pretrial Services and advised that he had received a copy of a police report regarding a gang related shooting which occurred in the early morning hours of January 1, 2004. Mr. Brod-eur noted the defendant and his fian-cé were named in the police report as individuals who where present at the party where the shooting occurred (it is noted they were not charged with any offense). However, Mr. Brodeur indicated the defendant was in violation of his state probation because he was associated with gang members and because weapons and drug paraphernalia were confiscated from the party (Mr. Brodeur initiated revocation proceedings and the defendant was required to serve 48 hours in jail, commencing on March 16, 2004). As a result of the aforementioned incidents, the defendant was placed back on electronic monitoring on February 19, 2004.
21. On May 3, 2004, an Information Report/Request to Modify Conditions of Release, was submitted to the Court. This report indicated that on April 21, 2004, the defendant contacted his Pretrial Services officer from University of New Mexico Hospital and advised that an unknown individual had taken four shots at him, hitting the defendant once in his left arm. Based on his non-compliance, his related gang affiliations coupled with the aforementioned shooting, Pretrial Services recommended that the defendant be placed at the La Pasada Half- ' way House in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Court adopted the recommendation of Pretrial Services and on May 4, 2004, the defendant arrived at the La Pasada Halfway House. As of this writing, he continues to reside at La Pasada and he is in compliance with all program rules and policies. Furthermore, he has maintained steady employment throughout his stay at the halfway house and attends weekly substance abuse counseling sessions at The Evolution Group.

Paragraphs 105, 111, and 115 state:

105. According to agents, the investigation revealed that at one point, Michael Hernandez was Nunez’ main runner and “right hand man.” On August 28, 2002, in Call B648, Hernandez and Nunez had a conversation about Nunez’ friends. Nunez then asked Hernandez how much “she” gave Hernandez the other day. Hernandez said it was 900. The next day, August 29, 2002, in Call A 373, Hernandez called and “YoYo” Aguilar answered., Hernandez said he was waiting for Nunez and asked if Aguilar knew whether Nunez had anything for Hernandez. Aguilar said he would ask Nunez. Then, from Calls A384 and B738 later that evening, it *1175 appears that Nunez met with Hernandez. On September 3, Hernandez called Nunez several times, reaching voice mail each time. He finally asked Nunez to call him. The next day, September 4, 2002, after several more attempts to reach Nunez, Hernandez left another message asking Nunez to call, saying it was already Wednesday and he had it all set for yesterday.
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111. Jose Refugio Aguilar and Gerald Marcos Trujillo were identified as Nunez’ two main runners. Aguilar often carried one of Nunez’ cellular phones and he and Nunez were in constant contact about social activities and the drug business. Trujillo was also in constant contact with Nunez regarding social activities and the drug business. Agents noted both Aguilar and Trujillo would deliver cocaine and pick up money, at Nunez’ direction. Agents also learned both Aguilar and Trujillo had their own crack cocaine businesses on the side. Based on the offense conduct, it is determined Jose Refugio Aguilar is accountable for 563.1 net grams of cocaine base. This figure includes 357.9 grams of cocaine base sold on September 23, 2002; and 205.2 grams sold on October 1, 2002. During both transactions, it appears Aguilar was assisting and working under the direction of Jose Nunez. It is noted Jose Refugio Aguilar also engaged in several telephone conversations in which drug quantities and transactions were discussed. However, based on the information available, additional drug quantities could not be determined.
* * * * * *
115. Michael Hernandez, who was identified as being Nunez’ former “right hand man,” engaged in several telephone conversations with Nunez regarding drug transactions and quantities. The Plea Agreement as to Michael Hernandez, stipulates he is accountable for between four and five grams of cocaine base.

Paragraphs 118 and 123 provide:

118. The defendant submitted the following written statement to the United States Probation Office:
“I am writing to acknowledge my responsibility for my actions to which I recently pled guilty. I had a telephone call with Jose Nunez Cabrera on approximately 29, 2002. I called Mr. Nunez Cabrera, but spoke to Refugio ‘YoYo’ Aguilar in order to help me to obtain a small quantity of crack cocaine which I planned on selling in order to support my drug habit. I was, at the time, addicted to heroin and was using this illegal means to obtain funds to purchase heroin. I was not part of the organization operated by Jose Nunez Cabrera, and was not aware of the manner in which it operated. I knew that Mr. Nunez Cabrera was a drug dealer and I went to him to get small amounts of crack cocaine. The only activity I engaged in with him was to buy crack cocaine to resell to support my drug habit.

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Bluebook (online)
375 F. Supp. 2d 1173, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28148, 2004 WL 3403126, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-hernandez-nmd-2004.