United States v. Rodgers

738 F. Supp. 156, 1990 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6767, 1990 WL 74652
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Pennsylvania
DecidedMay 30, 1990
DocketCrim. No. 90-00210
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 738 F. Supp. 156 (United States v. Rodgers) 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. Rodgers, 738 F. Supp. 156, 1990 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6767, 1990 WL 74652 (E.D. Pa. 1990).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

RAYMOND J. BRODERICK, District Judge.

On April 2, 1990, a federal magistrate issued an arrest warrant for the defendant, Charles Rodgers, on the charge of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and phenyl-2-propanone in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846. Rodgers was placed in custody on April 4th. Two days later, the magistrate held a detention hearing and concluded that the defendant should be held without bail pending trial. On April 11th, Rodgers filed a motion to reconsider. The magistrate filed his written findings on April 18th and denied the motion to reconsider on April 19th. On May 1st, a grand jury charged Rodgers with “knowingly and willfully aid[ing], abet[ting], and counselling] the attempt to manufacture approximately one and one-half pounds of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II non-narcotic controlled substance.” On May 11th, the defendant then filed with this Court a motion for revocation of the detention order, to which the Government replied on May 16th. The Court held a full evidentiary hearing on May 25th to consider the matter. For the reasons that follow, the defendant’s motion now will be denied.

The Bail Reform Act of 1984, Pub.L. 98-473, §§ 202-10, 98 Stat. 1976-87 (codified at 18 U.S.C. §§ 3141-50), governs the pretrial detention of those charged with criminal misconduct. The Act contains both procedural and substantive components. Although the rules of evidence in criminal trials “do not apply to the presen[157]*157tation and consideration of information at a detention hearing,” United States v. Delker, 757 F.2d 1390, 1396 (3d Cir.1985), the Act does afford a defendant “an opportunity to testify, to present witnesses on his own behalf, to cross-examine witnesses who appear at the hearing and to present information by proffer or otherwise.” 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f). The statute directs the Court to focus on certain factors in ascertaining whether any condition or combination of conditions placed upon the accused’s release would reasonably assure that the person will appear at trial and will not pose a danger to others. The Court must consider the nature of the crime charged, the weight of the evidence against the defendant, the defendant’s background, including familial, financial, and residential ties to the community, the accused’s past involvement in criminal activity, and the danger to the community if the defendant were released before trial. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g).

Because Congress has concluded that persons charged with serious drug offenses pose a heightened risk of flight to avoid prosecution and a special threat to the community, S.Rep. No. 225, 98th Cong., 1st Sess. 20, 23-24 (1983), reprinted in 1984 U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News 3182, 3203, 3206, 3207; United States v. Perry, 788 F.2d 100, 113 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 864, 107 S.Ct. 218, 93 L.Ed.2d 146 (1986); United States v. Jessup, 757 F.2d 378, 385-86 & appendix B (1st Cir.1985), the Act erects a rebuttable presumption that

no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the appearance of the person as required and the safety of the community if the judicial officer finds that there is probable cause to believe that the person committed 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.).

18 U.S.C. § 3142(e). This provision shifts to the defendant only the burden of production on the issues of flight risk and future dangerousness. United States v. Carbone, 793 F.2d 559, 560 (3d Cir.1986). The Government bears the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant constitutes a threat to the community’s safety or by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant will not appear at trial. United States v. O’Brien, 895 F.2d 810, 815 (1st Cir.1990); United States v. Jackson, 845 F.2d 1262, 1264 n. 3 (5th Cir.1988); United States v. Himler, 797 F.2d 156, 161 (3d Cir.1986); Perry, 788 F.2d at 114-15; United States v. Fortna, 769 F.2d 243, 251 (5th Cir.1985). The Government’s burden, however, is not activated until the accused has introduced sufficient evidence to rebut the statutory presumption. See Perry, 788 F.2d at 115; see also United States v. Prosper, 809 F.2d 1107, 1111 (5th Cir.1987); Carbone, 793 F.2d at 561-62 (Garth, J., dissenting); United States v. Alatishe, 768 F.2d 364, 371 (D.C.Cir.1985).

In this case, Section 3142(e)’s presumption plainly applies. Rodgers is accused of violating 18 U.S.C. § 2(a) and 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). If convicted for aiding and abetting the attempted manufacture of 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, the defendant will receive, by statutory directive, a sentence of ten years to life in prison. 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(l)(A)(viii) & 846; United States v. Baker, 883 F.2d 13, 15 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 110 S.Ct. 517, 107 L.Ed.2d 518 (1989). Because a grand jury has indicted him on this charge, probable cause to believe that he committed the offense exists. Trosper, 809 F.2d at 1110; United States v. Hurtado, 779 F.2d 1467, 1477-79 (11th Cir.1985); United States v. Contreras, 776 F.2d 51, 52 (2d Cir.1985); United States v. Hazime,

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
738 F. Supp. 156, 1990 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6767, 1990 WL 74652, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-rodgers-paed-1990.