United States v. Lucas Lacy

877 F.3d 790
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
DecidedDecember 12, 2017
Docket16-4046
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 877 F.3d 790 (United States v. Lucas Lacy) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Lucas Lacy, 877 F.3d 790 (8th Cir. 2017).

Opinion

BENTON, Circuit Judge.

Lucas J. Lacy was convicted of receiving and distributing child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(2). The district court 1 sentenced him to 60 months’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release. After prison, he violated the conditions of release. The court revoked the release, sentencing him to nine- months’ imprisonment and five 'years’ supervised release. He appeals. Having jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, this court affirms.

In December 2014, Lacy’s probation officer filed a petition for revocation, allegirig six release-condition violations. In April 2015, the officer amended the petition, adding violations: (7) failure to timely inform his probation officer that he was fired; and (8) unsuccessful discharge from sexual abuse treatment. Lacy admitted violations seven and eight. The government dismissed allegations one through six. The court continued disposition, allowing Lacy time to comply.

In March 2016, Lacy’s probation officer filed a second petition for revocation, alleging three new violations. In October 2016, the court held a revocation hearing. On the government’s motion, the court dismissed the second petition, proceeding only on the admitted violations (seven and eight). The court imposed a (government-requested) sentence of nine months and five years of supervised release. It reimpósed the “terms and conditions of his original supervised release” and added new conditions.

This court reviews a revocation sentencing decision “using the same standards” applied “to initial sentencing decisions.” United States v. Miller, 557 F.3d 910, 915-16 (8th Cir. 2009). “Absent an abuse of discretion,” this court “will not disturb a sentence imposed within the bounds of 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e), the statutory provision detailing parameters for modification or revocation of supervised release.” United States v. Holmes, 283 F.3d 966, 968 (8th Cir. 2002).

Lacy admits he violated the conditions of supervised release. But he believes the court abused its discretion by rejecting “a 180-day public law placement,” arguing that the “sentence of incarceration interrupts [his] progress without significantly advancing the other § 3553(a) goals.” At the revocation hearing, Lacy’s counsel said that the government’s recommendation of nine months’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release was not “unreasonable.” The district court agreed:

Well, I’m considering the defendant’s progress. And I appreciate the things that he’s noted about the progress he’s made with his substance abuse issues and the fact that he has been engaged in some gainful employment.
But there is certainly a pattern of the defendant not being in compliance with conditions of his supervised release and not working with the probation officer and not following directions. And failure to register as a sex offender for his place of residence is also a concern. Also there is a pattern of the defendant being given many opportunities to comply and failing to comply.
So I think that the recommendation by Probation is well-reasoned. I will impose a term of nine months’ incarceration to be followed by five years of supervised release.

The district court thus acknowledged Lacy’s progress but properly found it outweighed by the § 3553(a) factors. See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) (requiring consideration of “the history and characteristics of the defendant” and “the need for the sentence imposed” to “afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct” and “protect the public from further crimes of the defendant”). It did not abuse its discretion in sentencing him within the guidelines. See United States v. Ahlemeier, 391 F.3d 915, 923 (8th Cir. 2004) (affirming a nine month sentence for a defendant convicted of child pornography who violated conditions of release by failing to participate in treatment).

Lacy asserts his “conditions of release are unusually restrictive.” “A sentencing judge is afforded wide discretion when imposing terms of supervised release.” United States v. Crume, 422 F.3d 728, 732 (8th Cir. 2005). Still, conditions of supervised release “must meet the requirements of 18 U.S.C. § 3583(d).” United States v. Davis, 452 F.3d 991, 994 (8th Cir. 2006).

Section 3583(d) first requires that the condition be “reasonably related” to the nature and characteristics of the offense and the defendant, the deterrence of criminal conduct, the protection of the public from any further crimes of the defendant, and the defendant’s correctional needs. 18 U.S.C. §§ 3583(d)(1), 3553(a)(1), (a)(2)(B), (a)(2)(C), (a)(2)(D); United States v. Crume, 422 F.3d 728, 732-33 (8th Cir. 2005). Second, the condition must not involve any “greater deprivation of liberty than is reasonably necessary” to advance deterrence, protect the public from further crimes by the defendant, and promote the defendant’s correctional needs. 18 U.S.C. §§ 3583(d)(2), 3553(a)(2)(B), (a)(2)(C), (a)(2)(D). Finally, the condition must be consistent with any pertinent policy statements that the sentencing commission has issued. 18 U.S.C. § 3583(d)(3).

Id. at 994-95.

Lacy did not object to any conditions at his original sentencing or revocation hearing. “When a defendant fails to raise an objection to those terms [of supervised release] at sentencing,” this court reviews “for plain error.” United States v. Kerr, 472 F.3d 517, 521 (8th Cir. 2006). “Plain error occurs if the district court deviates from a legal rule, the error is clear under current law, and the error affects the defendant’s substantial rights,” United States v. Crose, 284 F.3d.911, 912 (8th Cir. 2002).

Lacy fails to specify which conditions he believes are invalid. Based on his cited cases, he appears to challenge the conditions restricting his access to pornography and the internet.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
877 F.3d 790, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-lucas-lacy-ca8-2017.