United States v. Walker

30 F. Supp. 2d 829, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20299, 1998 WL 910049
CourtDistrict Court, M.D. Pennsylvania
DecidedDecember 29, 1998
Docket4:CR-97-0012
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 30 F. Supp. 2d 829 (United States v. Walker) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, M.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. Walker, 30 F. Supp. 2d 829, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20299, 1998 WL 910049 (M.D. Pa. 1998).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

McCLURE, District Judge.

BACKGROUND:

On January 15, 1997, a grand jury sitting in the Middle District of Pennsylvania returned a two-count indictment charging defendant Lawyer Lee Walker with assaulting a federal employee with a dangerous weapon (Count One) and assault on a federal employee (Count Two). Walker was an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania, at the time of the - incident. On March 26, 1997, Walker entered a plea of guilty to a two-count superseding information which charged possession of a prohibited object (Count One) and assault on a federal employee (Count Two). He was sentenced on June 24, 1997, to a period of incarceration of 77 months. In determining that sentence, the court applied a 3-level enhancement to Walker’s offense level under U.S.S.G. § 3A1.2(b).

The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed and remanded for resentencing because the record did not support a factual finding that Walker’s victim was a “corrections officer” under the Guidelines. United States v. Walker, 149 F.3d 238 (3d Cir.1998). A hearing was held on December 9,1998, and sentencing has been deferred pending issuance of a memorandum setting forth findings of fact and conclusions of law arising from ' that hearing. Proposed findings of fact have been submitted by the parties, and the matter is ripe for resolution.

DISCUSSION:

I. INITIAL SENTENCING AND OPINION OF THIRD CIRCUIT

On July 30, 1996, Walker was an inmate at USP-Lewisburg assigned to work on the food service detail. At about 10:30 a.m. on that date, Walker was informed by Donald Reed, the Food Service Supervisor, that Walker’s immediate supervisor, David Wa-deck, had complained about Walker’s performance and that he (Walker) would no longer be employed in his position. Wadeck’s job title was, and is, Cook Supervisor.

At about 11:45 a.m., Wadeck was retrieving meal trays to send to the segregation unit when he felt something hit him from behind. He had been struck by Walker, who used a steel food service ladle or paddle in the attack. When Walker attempted to *831 strike Wadeck again, Wadeck was able to grab the paddle, and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, Walker kicked Wadeck several times in the head and ribs. Wadeck was able to reach up and pull down Walker’s pants, at which time Walker’s attack ended and he left the area. Wadeck summoned assistance from other correctional staff, and Walker was found in the inmate dining area and taken to the Lieutenant’s office. Wadeck suffered lacerations to his left hand and his head.

Walker was charged with the assault and pled guilty. At sentencing, we found that the attack was provoked by Wadeck’s use of the word “punk” 1 in addressing Walker, and not due to Wadeck’s status as a government employee. However, we found that Wadeck was a “corrections officer” and that Walker’s attack created a substantial risk of serious bodily injury. We therefore enhanced the offense level under the Sentencing Guidelines by 3 levels.

The applicable provision reads:

If—
(b) during the course of the offense or the immediate flight therefrom, the defendant or a person for whose conduct the defendant is otherwise accountable, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that a person was a law enforcement or corrections officer, assaulted such officer in a manner creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury,
increase by 3 levels.

U.S.S.G. § 3A1.2(b) (emphasis added).

The Third Circuit reversed, holding that there was insufficient evidence on the record to support a finding that Wadeck was acting as a corrections officer at the time of the assault. Cf. United States v. Hillstrom, 988 F.2d 448 (3d Cir.1993) (record insufficient to support finding that federal prison camp and community corrections centers were not “similar” facilities under U.S.S.G. § 2Pl.l(b)(3)). 2 It remanded, directing that we hold a hearing, as we deemed appropriate, to determine whether Wadeck was a corrections officer as defined for purposes of § 3A1.2(b). That definition, as determined by the Third Circuit is:

any person so titled, any person, however titled, who spends significant time guarding prisoners within a jail or correctional institution, or in transit to or from or within a jail or correctional institution, and all other persons assaulted while actually engaged in guarding prisoners.

149 F.3d at 242.

We turn to the question of whether a Cook Supervisor at USP-Lewisburg is a “corrections officer” for purposes of § 3A1.2(b).

II. FINDINGS OF FACT

1. David M. Wadeck is employed as a Cook Supervisor at USP-Lewisburg.

2. After being hired about 9 years ago, Wadeck worked as a Corrections Officer 3 for about 10 months.

3. Wadeck’s training for the position of Corrections Officer included the standard course at the BOP facility in Glynco, Georgia.

4. Wadeck took special training for the position of Cook Supervisor at BOP facilities in Forth Worth, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

5. The training for the position of Cook Supervisor included training in security.

6. “Security” for purposes of the position of Cook Supervisor includes:

(a) ensuring that all inmates assigned to work in the kitchen area at USP-Lewis- *832 burg are at their assigned stations during working hours; 4
(b) tracking implements, such as knives, which may be used as weapons;
(c) ensuring that all “confined items,” or foods that may be used to ferment alcohol or the use of which must otherwise be controlled, are not removed from the kitchen area;
(d) responding to emergencies; 5 and
(e) writing reports which may lead to the imposition of discipline on inmates.

7. Like Corrections Officers, Wadeek receives hazardous duty pay.

8. A Cook Supervisor does not actually prepare food except in “lock-down” situations.

9. A Cook Supervisor is charged with supervising inmates who are employees in the kitchen area of USP-Lewisburg, and does not supervise other BOP employees.

10. The “kitchen area” at USP-Lewis-burg includes the kitchen, storeroom, freezer, bakery, staff dining room, and main inmate dining hall (known as “main line”).

11.

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Related

United States v. Lawyer Lee Walker
202 F.3d 181 (Third Circuit, 2000)
United States v. Walker
Third Circuit, 2000

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
30 F. Supp. 2d 829, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20299, 1998 WL 910049, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-walker-pamd-1998.