United States v. Darry Jackson

68 F.3d 475

NOTICE: Sixth Circuit Rule 24(c) states that citation of unpublished dispositions is disfavored except for establishing res judicata, estoppel, or the law of the case and requires service of copies of cited unpublished dispositions of the Sixth Circuit.
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Darry JACKSON, Defendant-Appellant.

No. 95-1855.

United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit.

Oct. 12, 1995.

1

Before: KENNEDY and MOORE, Circuit Judges; and POTTER, District Judge.*

2

The defendant appeals a district court order detaining him pending trial in this drug conspiracy case. The defendant has filed a brief in support of release; the government has filed a brief in opposition.

3

According to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3142(e), a defendant shall be detained pending trial if, after a hearing, the judicial officer finds that no condition or set of conditions will assure the defendant's appearance and the safety of the community. The factors to be considered in determining whether to release a defendant pending trial are set forth in 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3142(g) and include: the nature and circumstances of the offense charged; the weight of the evidence against the person; and the nature and seriousness of the danger posed by the defendant's release. Subject to rebuttal by the defendant, there is a presumption in favor of pretrial detention if the judicial officer finds there is probable cause to believe that the person committed an offense for which a potential maximum term of ten years or more is prescribed by the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Sec. 801 et seq. 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3142(e); see also United States v. Strong, 775 F.2d 504, 506-07 (3rd Cir.1985); S.Rep. No. 98-225, 98th Cong., 2d Sess. 12-13, reprinted in 1984 U.S. Code Cong. & Ad. News 3182, 3195-96. A finding that pretrial detention is warranted shall not be disturbed on appeal unless clearly erroneous. United States v. Hazime, 762 F.2d 34 (6th Cir.1985).

4

The defendant does not dispute that the statutory presumption in favor of pretrial detention is triggered in this case. He claims, however, that he has offered evidence sufficient to rebut the presumption. The mere presentation of some evidence contrary to the presumption in Sec. 3142(e) does not automatically destroy it, and, "in making its ultimate decision, the court may still consider the finding by Congress that drug offenders pose a special risk of flight and dangerousness to society." United States v. Hare, 873 F.2d at 798; see also United States v. Martir, 782 F.2d 1141, 1146 (2nd Cir.1986). Upon review of the briefs and the transcript of the district court's detention hearing, we conclude that the district court did not err in denying pretrial release.

5

It therefore is ORDERED that the district court's order denying release is affirmed.

*

The Honorable John W. Potter, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio, sitting by designation