United States v. Romo-Sanchez

170 F. Supp. 2d 1127, 2001 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8304, 2001 WL 423070
CourtDistrict Court, D. Kansas
DecidedApril 23, 2001
Docket00-40112-04-DES
StatusPublished

This text of 170 F. Supp. 2d 1127 (United States v. Romo-Sanchez) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Kansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Romo-Sanchez, 170 F. Supp. 2d 1127, 2001 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8304, 2001 WL 423070 (D. Kan. 2001).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

SAFFELS, District Judge.

This matter is before the court on defendant Artemisa Romo-Sanchez’ Motion for Appeal of Order of Detention (Doc. 70) entered by United States Magistrate Judge Virginia A. Mathis on December 15, 2000 (Doc. 33). For the reasons set forth below, defendant’s motion is granted.

On November 29, 2000, the grand jury returned a two count indictment against Romo-Sanchez and three co-defendants. Count 1 charges that from October 8, 2000, to October 10, 2000, the defendant knowingly, willfully and unlawfully combined, conspired, confederated and agreed with her co-defendants and with others possessed with intent to distribute and dispense 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. Count 2 charges that on October 10, 2000, the defendant knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). Defendant was subsequently arrested in Arizona. Magistrate Judge Virginia A. Mathis held a detention hearing on December 15, 2000, at which time she ordered that the defendant be detained. The defendant filed a motion for appeal of Judge Mathis’s detention order.

Because the defendant has been charged with offenses for which there is a .maximum term of imprisonment of ten years or more, the government invoked the statutory rebuttable presumption that no conditions or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant as required and the safety of the community, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e). Judge Mathis determined that the rebuttable presumption had not been overcome, despite the fact that pretrial services report recommended that defendant be released with specific conditions. Defendant argues that the evidence does not support detention. In addition, defendant argues:

(1) Agent Tom Catana testified in contradiction to the statements taken from co-defendant Shirley Flores, which led the court to erroneously believe that the drugs were delivered to Flores by defendant;
(2) The vehicle driven by Flores was titled in her own name since June 10, *1128 2000, but Flores told authorities defendant gave her the keys to the vehicle before the deliveries, apparently on October 8 and 10; and
(3) The testimony that Flores called Romo-Sanehez at every state was not substantial or corroborated.

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3145(b), the defendant may appeal a magistrate’s detention order. A defendant detained by a magistrate judge may seek’ review before the district court. 18 U.S.C. § 3145(b). The district court conducts a de novo review of the magistrate judge’s pretrial detention order and must make its own determination if pretrial detention is proper or set conditions of release. See United States v. Rueben, 974 F.2d 580, 585-86 (5th Cir.1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 940, 113 S.Ct. 1336, 122 L.Ed.2d 720 (1993); United States v. Carlos, 111 F.Supp. 858, 859 (D.Kan.1991). The district court must ultimately decide the propriety of detention without deference to the magistrate judge’s conclusion. See United States v. Koenig, 912 F.2d 1190, 1192 (9th Cir.1990); United States v. Gaviria, 828 F.2d 667, 670 (11th Cir.1987); United States v. Miller, 625 F.Supp. 513, 521 (D.Kan.1985) (citing United States v. Leon, 766 F.2d 77, 80 (2d Cir.1985)).

Because defendant is charged with offenses 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., a statutory rebut-table presumption arises that no conditions of release will assure defendant’s appearance and the safety of the community. See 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e). 1 Under section 3142(e),

upon a finding of probable cause that the defendant has committed a federal drug offense carrying a maximum prison term of ten years or more, a rebuttable presumption arises that no conditions of release will assure defendant’s appearance and the safety of the community. Once the presumption is invoked, the burden of production shifts to the defendant. However, the burden of persuasion regarding risk-of-flight and danger to the community always remains with the government. The defendant’s burden of production is not heavy, but some evidence must be produced. Even if a defendant’s burden of production is met, the presumption remains a factor for consideration by the district court in determining whether to release or detain.

United States v. Stricklin, 932 F.2d 1353, 1354-55 (10th Cir.1991).

In assessing whether the government has satisfied its burden of persuasion, the court must consider factors expressly set out in 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g). These factors include:

(1) the nature and circumstances of the offense charged, including whether the offense is a crime of violence or involves a narcotic drug;
(2) the weight of the evidence against the person;
(3) the history and characteristics of the person, including'—
(A) the person’s character, physical and mental condition, family ties, employment, financial resources, length of residence in the community, community ties, past conduct, history relating to drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and record concerning appearance at court proceedings; and
(B) whether, at the time of the current offense or arrest, the person was on probation, on parole, or on other release pending trial, sentencing, appeal, or completion of sentence for an offense under Federal, State, or local law; and *1129 (4) the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person or the community that would be posed by the person’s release....

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Related

United States v. Heriberto Leon, A/K/A "Pupe"
766 F.2d 77 (Second Circuit, 1985)
United States v. Richard C. Koenig
912 F.2d 1190 (Ninth Circuit, 1990)
United States v. Jack Moody Stricklin, Jr.
932 F.2d 1353 (Tenth Circuit, 1991)
United States v. Mauricio Rueben and Gerardo Guerra
974 F.2d 580 (Fifth Circuit, 1992)
Application of United Electrical, Radio & M. Workers
111 F. Supp. 858 (S.D. New York, 1953)
United States v. Miller
625 F. Supp. 513 (D. Kansas, 1985)

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Bluebook (online)
170 F. Supp. 2d 1127, 2001 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8304, 2001 WL 423070, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-romo-sanchez-ksd-2001.