United States v. Nuñez-Guerrero

28 F. Supp. 3d 118, 2014 WL 2937924
CourtDistrict Court, D. Puerto Rico
DecidedJune 24, 2014
DocketCriminal No. 13-401 (GAG)
StatusPublished

This text of 28 F. Supp. 3d 118 (United States v. Nuñez-Guerrero) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Puerto Rico primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Nuñez-Guerrero, 28 F. Supp. 3d 118, 2014 WL 2937924 (prd 2014).

Opinion

ORDER OF DETENTION PENDING TRIAL

JUSTO ARENAS, United States Magistrate Judge.

The defendant Luis A. Nuñez-Guerrero is charged in two counts of a three-count third superceding indictment dated December 11, 2007. Eight other defendants and he are charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute approximately 229.5 kilograms (gross weight) of cocaine, a Schedule II, Narcotic Drug Controlled Substance, and of conspiring to import the same amount of cocaine into the United States from a place outside thereof, in violation of in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 963. (Docket No. 146). The government seeks detention of this defendant pending trial.

Under 18 U.S.C. § 3141 et seq., judicial officers are required to release a defendant arrested for federal offenses on personal recognizance or an unsecured appearance bond, 18 U.S.C. § 3142(b); set the least restrictive conditions necessary to ensure defendant’s appearance at all court proceedings, 18 U.S.C. § 3142(c); or under the Bail Reform Act of 1984, upon motion of the government, and finding by the court of, inter alia, flight risk, and/or dangerousness to any person or to the community, order the defendant detained without bond. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e). United States v. Agosto-Vives, 757 F.Supp.2d 110, 111 (D.P.R.2010).

The detention hearing was held yesterday, June 23, 2014. The United States proffered information related to the defendant’s participation in the enterprise, focusing on his role as off loader of a shipment of cocaine at a cay off the coast of Puerto Rico. Furthermore, as the result of a court authorized wire interception, the defendant, a legal resident of the United States, is heard speaking about his role in the importation of the cocaine during a telephone conversation.

Under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(b), a court, in making a determination regarding detention, must evaluate the risk of the defendant’s flight, the risk to the safety of any other person, and the risk to the safety of the community. In circumstances when detention is not mandated by the court, the court is nonetheless empowered to impose conditions on release. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(c).

Pursuant to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g) a court, in assessing the risks noted in 18 U.S.C. § 3142(b), shall consider the following: (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense charged; (2) the weight of the evidence as to guilt; (3) the history and characteristics of the accused, including family ties, past history, financial resources and employment; and (4) the nature and seriousness of the dan[120]*120ger to any person or the community that would be posed by a release. United States v. Morales-Sanabria, 832 F.Supp.2d 127, 130 (D.P.R.2011); United States v. Rivera-Ibarrondo, 743 F.Supp.2d 81, 83 (D.P.R.2010). During the course of a hearing conducted pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3142, the government typically retains the burden of persuading the court that “ ‘no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure’ defendant’s presence at trial.... ” United States v. Perez-Franco, 839 F.2d 867, 870 (1st Cir.1988) (quoting United States v. Palmer-Contreras, 835 F.2d 15, 17-18 (1st Cir.1987)). For its part, the government is required to offer clear and convincing evidence of dangerousness; and a preponderance of the evidence to prove risk of flight. See United States v. Patriarca, 948 F.2d 789, 792-93 (1st Cir.1991); United States v. Graham, 2014 WL 468969 at *1 (D.R.I. Feb. 6, 2014); United States v. Doe, 2012 WL 3668132 at *1 (D.N.H. Aug. 23, 2012). Facts necessary to find that no combination will reasonably assure the safety of any person and the community require satisfaction of the “clear and convincing” standard. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(2). See United States v. Rodriguez-Romero, 18 F.Supp.3d 116, 118-20, 2014 WL 1891138 at *2 (D.P.R. May 13, 2014).

In specific instances, delineated in 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e), a presumption arises that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the appearance of a defendant and the safety of the community. Among the instances where a presumption arises is the situation where,

the judicial officer finds that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the appearance of the person as required and the safety of any other person and the community, such judicial officer shall order the detention of the person before trial. an offense for which a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years or more is prescribed in the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or chapter 705 of title 46[.]

18 U.S.C. § 3142(e)(1), (e)(3)(A). The defendant faces a term of imprisonment of ten years to life if convicted.

The indictment itself constitutes probable cause to believe that the offenses charged have been committed and that the defendant Luis A. Nuñez-Guerrero has committed them. Further, the offenses charged against the defendant are ones for which a maximum term of imprisonment is ten years or more, as prescribed in the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq., and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.) See United States v. Dillon, 938 F.2d 1412, 1417 (1st Cir.1991).

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Bluebook (online)
28 F. Supp. 3d 118, 2014 WL 2937924, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-nunez-guerrero-prd-2014.