United States v. Montgomery

310 F. Supp. 3d 637
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. North Carolina
DecidedApril 18, 2018
DocketNO. 5:17–HC–2084–BO
StatusPublished

This text of 310 F. Supp. 3d 637 (United States v. Montgomery) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. North Carolina primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Montgomery, 310 F. Supp. 3d 637 (E.D.N.C. 2018).

Opinion

TERRENCE W. BOYLE, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

This cause comes before the Court following petitioner's motion to commit respondent, Kevin Montgomery, as a sexually dangerous person pursuant to the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, 18 U.S.C. § 4248. For the reasons that follow, the Court finds that Mr. Montgomery is not sexually dangerous and orders his release from commitment.

BACKGROUND

Petitioner ("the government") instituted this civil action pursuant to Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 4248(a), seeking to commit respondent Kevin Montgomery ("respondent" or "Mr. Montgomery") as a sexually dangerous person pursuant to the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 ("the Act"). The government filed a certificate stating that mental health personnel for the Federal Bureau of Prisons ("BOP") had examined the respondent and issued a preliminary determination that he was a sexually dangerous person within the meaning of the Act [DE 1]. Such certificate stayed the respondent's release from federal custody pending a hearing to determine whether the respondent qualifies for commitment as a sexually dangerous person. The government's petition was filed on April 21, 2017. Respondent's projected release date was November 6, 2017.

On October 11, 2017, the Court conducted an evidentiary hearing in this matter pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4247(d). The parties filed proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law on October 4 and 5, 2017. Pursuant to Rule 52(a)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and after due consideration of the evidence presented and arguments of counsel, the Court adopts in part respondent's findings of fact and conclusions of law as filed on October 4, 2017. Specifically, the Court adopts sections A (Mr. Montgomery's Background), B (Substance Abuse History), C (Medical History), D (Criminal History), and E (Institutional Adjustment). The Court now holds that the government has failed to satisfy its burden to show by clear and convincing evidence that Respondent is sexually dangerous to others as defined by the Adam Walsh Act.

DISCUSSION

To order the commitment of a respondent pursuant to § 4248, a court must conclude, after an evidentiary hearing at which the government bears the burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence, that the respondent is as "sexually dangerous person" as defined by the Act. The government must show that (1) the respondent has engaged in or attempted to engage in sexually violent conduct or child molestation; (2) that the respondent suffers from a serious mental illness, abnormality, or disorder; and (3) as a result of which he would have serious difficulty in refraining from sexually violent conduct or child molestation if released. 18 U.S.C. § 4248(d).). "[C]lear and convincing has been defined as evidence of such weight that it produces in the mind of the trier of *641fact a firm belief or conviction, without hesitancy, as to the truth of the allegations sought to be established, and, as well, as evidence that proves the facts at issue to be highly probable." Jimenez v. DaimlerChrysler Corp. , 269 F.3d 439, 450 (4th Cir. 2001) (internal quotation marks, citations, and alterations omitted). If the Court finds that the government has satisfied its burden, the individual must be committed to a suitable facility for mental treatment until he is determined to no longer be sexually dangerous to others. 18 U.S.C. § 4248(d).

1. Whether the respondent has engaged or attempted to engage in sexually violent conduct or child molestation.

At the outset, the government must demonstrate that respondent has engaged or attempted to engage in sexually violent conduct or child molestation. 18 U.S.C. § 4248(d). The Court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that respondent has engaged or attempted to engage in sexually violent conduct. Specifically, respondent pleaded guilty to fourth degree sexual assault in 1996, second degree rape in 1997, misdemeanor sexual abuse in 2010, and attempted first degree sexual abuse in 2011. These convictions are sufficient to establish that the government has met its burden on prong one.

2. Whether the respondent currently suffers from a serious mental illness, abnormality, or disorder.

To meet its burden on the second prong, the government must prove by clear and convincing evidence that respondent "suffers from a serious mental illness, abnormality, or disorder." 18 U.S.C. § 4248(d). Civil commitment is limited to individuals whose mental illness renders them dangerous beyond their control. United States v. Francis , 686 F.3d 265, 275 (4th Cir. 2012). The determination of whether an individual's mental illness rises to the level of a sexually dangerous person is fact specific as viewed by expert psychiatrists and psychologists. Id.

Although the phrase "serious mental illness, abnormality, or disorder" is not specifically defined, the Fourth Circuit has instructed courts that labeling a respondent with a "diagnosis" is merely a starting point and that "the true thrust of the § 4247(a)(6) inquiry [is] whether, on a case-specific basis, the respondent's underlying condition constitutes a serious functional impairment." United States v. Caporale , 701 F.3d 128, 137 n.4 (4th Cir. 2012). The Court in Caporale further noted that "a mental disorder or defect need not necessarily be one so identified in the DSM in order to meet the statutory requirement."

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
310 F. Supp. 3d 637, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-montgomery-nced-2018.