UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.
OMAR ARANA,
Defendant.
Criminal Action No. 23-73-21 (CKK)
MEMORANDUM OPINION
(November 20, 2023)
Defendant Omar Arana is charged by indictment with conspiring to distribute, with others,
thousands of counterfeit pills of fentanyl. On November 16, 2023, Magistrate Judge Maria Audero
of the United States District Court for the Central District of California ordered Defendant to be
released with conditions pending trial. Minutes of Arrest On Out of District Warrant, ECF No. 5,
United States v. Arana, Case No. 23-mj-5938. Magistrate Judge Audero initially stayed the
detention order until 6:00 p.m. PT, November 17, 2023, before extending the stay until 12:00 p.m.
PT, today. Jd.
Before the Court is the Government’s [156] Emergency Motion for De Novo Review of
Magistrate’s Release Order and Request to Stay Defendants’ Release Pending De Novo Review.
The Government requests that the Court vacate the detention order and order Defendant detained
pending trial, or, in the alternative, stay the detention order pending the conclusion of the de novo
review process. The Government moves on an emergency basis on account of the limited stay
issued in this matter. Upon consideration of the pleadings,! the relevant legal authority, and the
pon p 8g gala
! The Court’s consideration has focused on:
e Minutes of Arrest On Out of District Warrant, ECF No. 5, United States v. Arana, Case
No. 23-mj-5938;
e The Government’s Emergency Motion for De Novo Review of Magistrate’s Release Order
and Request to Stay Defendants’ Release Pending De Novo Review, ECF No. 156
record before the Court, the Court shall GRANT the Government’s Motion, VACATE the prior
release order, and order Defendant held without bond pending trial and transported forthwith to
the District of Columbia.
I BACKGROUND
The factual record thus far is underdeveloped. There is no opinion, memorandum, or
statement of reasons attached to the Magistrate Judge’s detention order, and the Court has access
only to an audio recording of Defendant’s detention hearing. There, Magistrate Judge Audero’s
finding appeared to be based on Defendant’s limited criminal history. In an exercise of its
discretion, the Court will rule definitively upon the record presently before it, sparse as it is. See
United States v. Sheffield, 799 F. Supp. 2d 18, 29 (D.D.C. 2011) (BAH) (“The Court is free to use
in its analysis any evidence or reasons relied on by the magistrate judge, but it may also hear
additional evidence and rely on its own reasons.”) (cleaned up). As discussed further below, to
the extent newly-appointed local defense counsel discovers additional evidence or develops further
argument after consultation with his client, the Court welcomes motions for reconsideration, which
the Court would review “as justice requires.” See United States v. Caldwell, Crim. A. No. 21-181
(CKK), 2022 WL 168343, at *5 (D.D.C. Jan. 19, 2022). The Court makes this determination based
on the Government’s exceptionally strong showing here of danger to the community and risk of
flight.
A. Procedural Background
On March 9, 2023, the Government filed an indictment against Defendants Hector David
(“Motion” or “Mot.”) and exhibits therein;
e Defendant Arana’s Opposition to the Government’s Emergency Motion, ECF No. 164
(“Def.’s Opp’n’”); and
e An audio recording of the detention hearing in United States v. Arana, Case No. 23-mj-
5938 (C.D. Cal. Nov. 16, 2023).
Valdez, Craig Eastman, and Charles Jeffrey Taylor. ECF No. 1 at 1. Additional defendants were
indicted on April 26 and May 18, 2023. See ECF No. 25 (first superseding indictment); ECF No. 48
(second superseding indictment). On November 6, 2023, a grand jury returned a third superseding
indictment, adding, among others, Defendant Arana. ECF No. 134 (sealed). Magistrate Judge Robin
M. Meriweather of this jurisdiction then issued an arrest warrant for Defendant, which appears to
have been executed in or around Los Angeles, California on or about November 16, 2023. Affidavit
Re Out-of-District Warrant, ECF No. 1, United States v. Arana, Case No. 23-mj-5938. Counsel
was appointed in that jurisdiction for the purposes of a detention hearing later that day. See Minutes
of Arrest on Out of District Warrant, ECF No. 5, United States vy. Arana, Case No. 23-mj-5938
(“Carlos N Iriarte for Omar Arana, Appointed, present.”). Defendant appeared before Magistrate
Judge Audero the evening of November 16, 2023. It appears from the audio recording of the
detention hearing that Magistrate Judge Audero concluded that Defendant overcome the rebuttable
presumption of detention given his limited criminal history. Magistrate Judge Audero initially
stayed the detention order until 3:00 p.m. PT, November 17, 2023, to afford the Government an
opportunity to appeal to this Court. Magistrate Judge Audero then extended the stay until 12:00 p.m.
PT, today.
The Government filed its emergency Motion the morning of November 17, 2023. ECF
No. 156. The Court then secured local counsel for Defendant in this jurisdiction, and ordered
responsive briefing by 12:00 p.m. ET today, November 20, 2023. Local counsel for Defendant notes
that he has been unable to contact Defendant, and the limited representations contained in
Defendant’s opposifion to the Government’s motion is based on informaifon provided by
Defendant’s family and counsel’s own review of the related documents. Def.’s Opp’n at 1 n. 1.
B. Factual Allegations
Notably, the Government presented few allegations to the Magistrate Judge during
Defendant’s detention hearing. The Government has remedied that here, detailing the allegations
against Defendant, posts and messages from his social media accounts, and large quantities of
drugs seized through searches of Defendant’s residence. Broadly, the Government alleges that
Defendant dealt in vast amounts of counterfeit fentanyl smuggled into the United States, sold those
quantities to distributors, including co-Defendants Valdez and Nava, who later sold them to street-
level dealers throughout the United States, including various co-defendants. See Mot. at 4-11. A
search of Defendant’s residence in California uncovered a duffle bag “containing several hundred
suspected fentanyl pills.” Jd. at 21. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, approximately
two milligrams of fentanyl can constitute a lethal dose. DEA, Facts About Fentanyl, available at
Government alleges that the search uncovered “tens of thousands, if not more, of lethal fentanyl
pills.” Jd. at 26.
The Government alleges that a search of Defendant’s social media account “illustrates his
redistribution of fentanyl pills by the thousands.” Jd. at 13. According to the Government, the
below images were found “in the returns of [Defendant’s] account,” corroborating Defendant’s
illicit dealing in vast quantities of lethal drugs. Jd. The picture on the left depicts hundreds (if not
thousands) of blue pills marked with the letter “M” on one side and the number “30” on the other
side, which, the Government proffers, is consistent with “counterfeit oxycodone pills containing
fentanyl.” Jd. The picture in the middle depicts a close-up of these pills. Finally, the picture on
the right shows sufi pills in prescription bottles with the phrase “#NOTFORSELL,” which the
Government states is commonly used by drug traffickers in an attempt to “disclaim their obvious
intent to distribute drugs pictured on their social media accounts.” Jd.
in (ey ie) sto) ae
See generally id. The Government further recounts numerous purported social media messages
between Defendant and co-Defendant Nava, appending images from a social media account that
corroborates its claim that Defendant, among others, dealt in vast quantities in illicit drugs. See
id. at 14-19. For instance, on September 3, 2022, Defendant wrote to Nava, “just shoot the boat
back.” Jd. at 14. A “boat” is a street term for 1,000 pills. Jd. Following a series of missed calls,
Defendant then writes to Nava, “U not trying to answer my call and communicate just it [...] back
and we gucci [i.e., we’re OK].” Jd. Days later, Defendant again writes to Nava, stating, “Wasup
with my bread [i.e., money] my n****,” “Shopy me .50 cents, ” “And we good already.” Jd. The
Government claims that this conversation demonstrates that Nava owed Defendant money, and
Defendant suggested either getting back the pills or getting the money he owed. Jd.
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Sent 2622-09-06 00:10:15 UTC
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Sent 2622-09-06 01:51:24 WTC
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Sent 2022-09-06 01:52:24 UTC
Body You missed a video chat
Author __ frogz {instagram: 45425700909}
Sent 2022-09-06 05:03:44 UTC
Body __frogz started an audio cali
Author __ frogz (Instagram: 45425700909}
Sant 2022-09-06 05:04:37 UTC
Body You missed an audio call
Author __ trogz (Instagram: 45425700909}
Sent 2022-09-06 05:10:36 VIC
Body just shoot the boat back my g
Author __ frogz (lnstagram); 45425700909)
Sent 2022-09-06 05:11:23 UTC
Body Simple as that
Author __ frogz {instagram: 48425700909)
Sent 2022-09-06 05:12:47 UFC
Body U not trying to answer my call and communicate just shoot it) back
and we gucci
Author frogz (Instagram: 45425700909)
Sent 2022-09-10 00:59:21 UTC
Body Wasup with my bread my 7
Author __ frogz {instagram; 45425700909}
Sent 2022-09-10 00:59:36 UTC
Body Shoot me 50 cents
Author __ frogz {instagram: 45425700909)
Sent 2622-09-20 00:59:47 UTC
Body And we good already
See id. Similarly, on November 10, 2022, Nava asked Defendant for “30 boats”—.e., 30,000
counterfeit pills. Jd. at 15. Defendant stated that he could obtain the pills, but needed time. Jd.
Nava responded, stating that he needed the pills immediately because he had a customer who was
ready to pay in cash. Jd. Defendant said the customer would have to wait. Jd.
Author _gity_bxy_ (Instagram: 241344701)
Sent 2022-10-10 20.03:41 UTC
Body You can’t get me 30 boats for me 7
Author __ frogz (instagram: 48425700909)
Sent 2022-10-10 20:04:21 UTC
Bady Yeah i get hone ss the night f your down in it arizona m
Author _gity biy_ (instugram: 241344703)
Sent 2022-10-10 20:04:53 UTC
Body fubh tiinds needed itm
Author _giry_bwy_ilnstagram: 241344761}
Sent 2022-10-20 20:08:00 UTC
Body They're cash ready
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Sent 2022-20-20 20.05:22 UTC
Body Oh okay
Author __frogr {instagram: 48425700909
Seine 2022-10-10 20:05:29 UTC ,
Body Yeah pri im down in the night
Author __frogz (instagram; 45425700909}
Sent 2022-10-10 20:05:37 UTC
Body it they con wat
Author giry_bxy, (Instagram: 241344701)
Sent 2022-10-10 20:05:43 UTC
Body 1h try seaing wasup
Author __ frogz {instagram: 45425700909)
Sent 2022-10-10 20:06:52 UTC
Botly Okay bet HI
See id, at 16. The next day, on November 11, 2022, Defendant asked Nava if he could pay
Defendant $0.60 per pill for 30,000 pills. Jd. at 17. Nava stated that his customers want $20,000
at $0.55 per pill. Jd. Defendant said he would see if he could get the pills for $.50 per pill so that
Nava’s buyers could pay $0.55 per pill and Defendant could keep a profit of $0.05 per pill (for a
total of $1,000). Id. Nava stated that his buyer(s) has cash and is ready to purchase, and Defendant
ultimately obtains the pills.
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Sent 2022-10-21 47:59:25 UTC
Body Just woke up pri
Author __frogz (Instagram: 45425700909}
Sent 2022-10-41 24:00-01 UTC
Body Can u do .60 for tha 30 pri?
Author _giry_bxy_(lestagram: 241344701}
Sant 2022-30-21 18:01:27 UTC
Body They want 20 and they needed them at .55 pri, Pd ask for them for
50 50 ican eat too but ik that's low , 69 Hf you can do the 69 that’s
all you guys and I think my homie will shoot 50)
Author __ frogz (Instagram: 45425700900)
Sent 2022-10-21 28:18:05 UTC
Body Okay let me see if | can get em @ .50 soi can eat .5 at feast but ur
boy tersure?
Author __trogz (Iestagram: 45425700909)
Sent 2622-10-12 16:18:26 UTC
» Body Paper ready?
Author _giry by (linetsyram: 241944701)
Sent 2022-10-23 58:38:27 UTC
Rody Yes paper roady
Author __ frogz (Instagram: 45425 700909}
Bent 2022-10-21 29:35:09 WTC
Body Yo lets mate & happen
Author __frogz {intagram: 45425700909)
Set 2022-10-41 19:37:37 UTC
Body 77?
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Sent 2022-10-21 19:37:42 UTC
Body Got an
Id. Moreover, the Government alleges, and appends additional images to corroborate its claim,
that Defendant knew he was trafficking in fentanyl. On November 4, 2022, Nava orchestrated a
sale in which Defendant sold fentanyl to co-Defendant Valdez. See id. at 18. Nava wants the pills
from Defendant at $0.50 per pill so that Valdez can pay $0.55 per pill. Nava also inquires if
Defendant “break[s] down the fetty,” i.e., whether Defendant cuts the fentanyl with cutting agents.
Id. Defendant responded, stating he will complete the sale with his supplier. Jd.
Author
frogs (instagran: 45425700909)
Sent 202 pe 26:23:39 UTC
Body Sama
Author frogs (initegram: 45425 105)
Sent 221 11-04 18:23:49 UTC
pay GroveT
Author glty tay lInstiegrann: 243544701)
Sent 2022-11-06 16:23:86 UTC
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Author __ froge (instagran: 45425700903)
Sent 2022-11-04 16:24:28 UIT
Body Get he iegt?
Author _giry bsy, dlmtagram: 243344701)
Sent 2022-11-04 18:26:17 UTC.
Body Yes made 4 pinying with him the last with chinas prota but !
rather go thru you it you can give then to me in ot.50 cause he
wants then at SS
Author __ frogs (Instagram: 45425700309)
Sent 2022-11-04 18:26:38 YTC
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Sent 2622-24-08 16:29:02 UTC
Body Bet Zt
Author _giry bey (Imitagra: 2413447015
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Sent 2022-11-04 18:47:26 UTC
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Author __irogz (Instagram: 45425700903)
Sent 2022-11-04 15:35:04 UTC
Body Okay pd im about te pu up on my boy thats gonna bless me with
that ticket to Wf fee lags just malke sure to bet us inow arith time 50 1
wont look ake a liar with these pp
Author _gity bry, (inatagran: 241344701)
Sent 2022-21-04 19:38:36 UTC
Body Sounds good prt
See id. And, on October 26, 2022, Nava tells Defendant he wants fentanyl (“fetty”), and Defendant
responds, “Oh fettys yeah.” Jd. at 19.
Author _gity_bxy_ (Instagram: 241344701)
Sent 2022-30-26 00:00:54 UTC
Body is it 75C or which one
Author __ frogz (Instagram: 45425700909}
Sent 2022-10-26 00:17:05 UTC
Body What u mean 750 pri?
Author __ frogz dinstagram: 45425700909)
Sent 2022-10-26 00:17:17 UTC
Body U looking for bird right.
Author giry_bxy_ (Instagram: 241344701)
Sent 2022-10-26 00:17:28 UTC
Body Fetty pri
Author __ frogz (Instagram: 45425700909)
Sent 2022-10-26 00:17:46 UTC
Body 0h fettys yeah
See id.
Il. LEGAL STANDARD
The Government may file “a motion for revocation of the order” with “the court having
original jurisdiction over the offense.” 18 U.S.C. § 3145(a). The Court applies de novo review to
the question and is “free to use in its analysis any evidence or reasons relied on by the magistrate
judge, but it may also hear additional evidence and rely on its own reasons.” Sheffield, 799 F.
Supp. 2d at 20 (quoting United States v. Hanson, 613 F. Supp. 2d 85, 88 (D.D.C. 2009)). “The
motion shall be determined promptly.” 18 U.S.C. § 3145(a).
In our society, “liberty is the norm” and “detention prior to trial or without trial is the
carefully limited exception.” United States v. Salerno, 481 U.S. 739, 755 (1987). The Bail Reform
Act permits pretrial detention in only “carefully defined circumstances.” United States v.
Simpkins, 826 F.2d 94, 95-96 (D.C. Cir. 1987). A detention hearing must be held only if a case
involves any of an enumerated set of offenses, including an offense “for which a maximum term
of imprisonment of ten years or more is prescribed in|, inter alia,] the Controlled Substances Act,”
18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(1)(C), or if the defendant poses a serious risk of flight or of trying to obstruct
justice or threaten, injure, or intimidate a witness or juror, id. § 3142(f)(2)(A)B).
The question for the Court is whether any “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.” Jd. § 3142(e)(1). “In common parlance, the relevant inquiry is whether the
defendant is a ‘flight risk’ or a ‘danger to the community.’” United States v. Vasquez-Benitez,
919 F.3d 546, 550 (D.C. Cir. 2019). In determining whether a defendant should be detained
pending trial, the Eourt must consider “the available information” Goncemine four enumerated
factors: (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense charged; (2) the weight of the evidence
against the defendant; (3) the history and characteristics of the defendant; and (4) the nature and
10
seriousness of the danger to any person or the community that would be posed by the defendant’s
release. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g).
“To justify detention on the basis of dangerousness, the government must prove by ‘clear
and convincing evidence’ that ‘no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure
the safety of any other person and the community.’” United States v. Munchel, 991 F.3d 1273,
1279-80 (D.C. Cir. 2021) (quoting 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)). That standard requires the Government
to establish that the defendant “poses a concrete, prospective threat to public safety” that cannot
be sufficiently mitigated by release conditions. Jd. at 1280; see also Salerno, 481 U.S. at 751
(requiring the Government to “prove[ ] by clear and convincing evidence that an arrestee presents
an identified and articulable threat to an individual or the community”). “Detention cannot be
based on a finding that defendant is unlikely to comply with conditions of release absent the
requisite finding of dangerousness or risk of flight; otherwise[,] the scope of detention would
extend beyond the limits set by Congress.” Munchel, 991 F.3d at 1283.
I. DISCUSSION
Despite the rather underdeveloped record, the Court concludes that the evidence presented
by the Government in its briefing clearly requires Defendant’s detention pending trial. That said,
the Court acknowledges that counsel for Defendant has had little opportunity to develop the factual
record on behalf of his client given his recent appointment and the expedited briefing schedule. If
counsel discovers evidence or develops legal arguments that he was not able to present in the
instant briefing, the Court encourages defense counsel to move for reconsideration.
A. Legal Principles
11
As a threshold matter, the Court must address the proper standard to apply at this stage of
proceedings.” As explained above, the Government has appealed a detention order pursuant to
18 U.S.C. § 3145. Such an appeal is subject to de novo review, in which the Court must engage
in a searching, “factbound inquiry” to determine danger to the community and/or risk of flight.
United States v. Sabol, 534 F. Supp. 3d 58, 69 (D.D.C. 2021) (EGS) (citing Munchel, 991 F.3d at
1283) (cleaned up).
In determining whether Defendant is a danger to the community or a flight risk, the Court
considers the Section 3142(g) factors including: (1) “the nature and circumstances of the offense
charged”; (2) “the weight of the evidence”; (3) “the history and characteristics” of the defendant;
and (4) “the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person or the community that would be
posed by the [defendant’s] release.” 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g).
The Court shall consider these factors based upon the present record without holding an
additional hearing. See Sheffield, 799 F. Supp. 2d at 20 (permitting district court to use in its
analysis the evidence relied on by the magistrate judge); see also United States v. Anderson, 384 F.
Supp. 2d 32, 33-34 (D.D.C. 2005) (PLF) (taking into consideration the indictment, “the briefs and
other papers submitted by the parties, the proceedings before [the magistrate judge], the
[magistrate’s] findings of fact and conclusions of law, and the evidence and proffers before [the
court]”). Based on the current record, the Court concludes that clear and convincing evidence
supports a finding that no condition or combination of conditions will “reasonably assure” the
? The Court notes that this is not the first time the Government sought relief from a magistrate judge’s detention orders
in this case. See United States v. Nava, 2023 WL 3158987 (D.D.C. Apr. 28, 2023) (CKK) (vacating detention orders
as to Defendants Nava and Torres).
12
“safety of any other person and the community” or flight in advance of trial. Accordingly, the
Court orders that Defendant remains detained pending trial. See 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e)(1).
B. Nature and Circumstances of the Offense Charged
Turing to the Section 3142(g) factors, the Court first considers the “nature and
circumstances of the offense charged” including whether the offense involves “a controlled
substance.” 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g)(1). In this case, a rebuttable presumption of detention applies
because Defendant has been charged by indictment with serious violations of the Controlled
Substances Act. See id. § 3142(e)(3)(A); United States v. Brown, 538 F. Supp. 3d 154, 165
(D.D.C. 2021) (RCL). Even the possession with intent to distribute “9.11 grams of fentanyl and
.89 grams of powdered cocaine” triggers such a presumption. Brown, 538 F. Supp. 3d at 165-66.
Here, the Government has presented convincing evidence that Defendant conspired to traffic, and
did in fact traffic, in tens of thousands of grams of fentanyl. Mot. at 13-22. The Court must
therefore presume that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure
Defendant’s appearance as required or the safety of the community. To rebut this presumption,
Defendant must “offer some credible evidence” that he will not endanger the community or flee if
released. United States v. Cherry, 221 F. Supp. 3d 26, 32 (D.D.C. 2016) (GMH).
The nature and circumstances of the offense here definitively weigh in favor of detention.
Defendant is charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams
or more of a substance containing fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 846. This
charge carries a ten-year mandatory minimum sentence, with a maximum of life. Jd.
§ 841 (b)(1)(A)(vi). “Moreover, this is not the case of an imdigicaal seller working alone.” Brown,
538 F. Supp. 3d at 167. The Government alleges not just a conspiracy among the Defendants in
this action, but vast distribution across the United States. Therefore, Defendant’s “alleged
13
participation in the conspiracy charged thus strongly suggests that, if released, he would have the
means to purchase and distribute narcotics and thereby endanger [not just] the D.C. community,”
but also communities throughout the United States. See id.
Moreover, each of the twelve previously apprehended defendants who had been indicted
in the second superseding indictment have been ordered detained pending trial, including each of
Defendant’s California-based co-conspirators. See United States v. Nava, 2023 WL 3158987
(D.D.C. Apr. 28, 2023) (CKK) (ordering Defendants Nava and Torres detained pending trial). As
for the third superseding indictment, the Government proffers that Defendant and others were
arrested this month, four of whom have been ordered detained while the detention of the remaining
defendants is currently pending. Mot. at 26-27. Releasing this particular defendant, who is a
large-scale supplier of fentanyl in California, would be contrary to the other detention orders in
effect. Therefore, the first factor weighs in favor of detention.
C. Weight of the Evidence
The weight of the evidence against Defendant also favors continued pretrial detention.
Law enforcement recovered a legion of messages and images from Defendant’s social media
account, reflecting that Defendant possessed and sold large quantities of counterfeit drugs (by the
tens of thousands). See id. at 13-22. And, from a search of Defendant’s residence, the Government
recovered “[h]undreds of pills” in a duffle bag, with documents in Defendant’s name found in the
same location (the garage). Jd. at 27. The weight of this evidence is strong. See Brown, 538 F.
Supp. 3d at 168-69. Given the evidence to date, this factor weighs in favor of detention. See
United States v. Brockhoff, 590 FE Supp. 3d 295, 304 (DDC. 2022) (CKK).
D. History and Characteristics of the Defendant
14
Under the third Section 3142(g) factor, the Court must consider a defendant’s “history and
characteristics,” including his “character, physical and mental condition, family ties, employment,
financial resources, length of residence in the community, community ties, past conduct, history
related to drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and record concerning appearance at court
proceedings.” 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g)(3). Admittedly, Defendant’s lack of a serious criminal record
weighs against pretrial detention. See Brockhoff, 590 F. Supp. 3d at 305; see also Def.’s Opp’n at
7 (noting Defendant “has no prior juvenile or adult felony convictions”). Nevertheless, the
Government proffers that an arrest was issued in June 2023 for Defendant for a domestic-violence
offense, which was dismissed due to the victim’s decision not to testify. Mot. at 28.
Defendant also appears to have family and community ties in California. See Def.’s Opp’n
at 7 (stating Defendant is a “lifelong resident” in California and maintains strong family relations
there). However, the Government proffers that Defendant also has family in Mexico according to
the pretrial services report.? Mot. at 28. Therefore, the Government alleges that, given
Defendant’s “criminal exposure” and his “ties to individuals in a foreign country,” Defendant has
a “serious risk of flight and non-compliance.” Jd. Counsel for Defendant refutes the Government’s
allegations, stating that, based on the information available to counsel, Defendant does not have
family in Mexico. Def.’s Opp’n at 8. And, to the extent there is a concern about the risk of flight,
counsel Defendant is willing to surrender his passport to pretrial services prior to his release. Id.
at 9. However, even counsel for Defendant notes that the pretrial report indicates that Defendant
3 The Court understands that the pretrial report indicates some connection to Mexico. Although this document is
supposedly unsealed, the Court has not been able to access it at this time.
15
“visit[s] Mexico every three years.” Def.’s Opp’n at 8. Accordingly, based on the representations
of the parties, Defendant must have some connections to Mexico, whether familial or not.
In all, this factor weighs in favor of detention. Defendant does not provide “credible
evidence” sufficient to rebut the presumption, but rather a lack of available information. See id.
at 8-9.
E. The Nature and Seriousness of the Danger Posed by Defendant’s Release
The final factor that the Court must consider is “the nature and seriousness of the danger
to any person or the community that would be posed by the person’s release.” 18 U.S.C.
§ 3142(g)(4). Conspiring to distribute fentanyl presumptively renders a defendant a serious danger
to the community. See Brown, 538 F. Supp. 3d at 170; cf also United States v. Bethea, 763 F.
Supp. 2d 50, 54 (D.D.C. 2011) (RCL) (narcotics trafficking generally). Particularly so here given
the vast amount of drugs at issue. Defendant appears to have ties to Mexico, and the statutory
penalties Defendant faces provide him with a strong incentive to flee. More generally, “the
lethality of fentanyl and scourge of . . . opioids on this community [and communities around the
country] further demonstrate the serious danger Defendant’s release could pose.” United States v.
Bolivar, 455 F. Supp. 3d 1165, 1171 (D.N.M. 2020).
Defendant argues that a suitable third-party custodian (such as Defendant’s mother or
girlfriend) can mitigate the Court’s concern for the safety of the community. See Def.’s Opp’n at
8. However, the Court’s concern regarding the safety of the community is not alleviated, as
16
Defendant also requests to continue to work as a commercial truck driver, thereby giving him the
means to flee. Therefore, this factor also weighs in favor of detention.
* * *
All in ali, even if Defendant could rebut the presumption of detention, the Court finds that
no set of conditions can assure his presence at trial or address the threat of danger he poses to
communities in the District of Columbia or Los Angeles. The Government has shown that
Defendant has a strong incentive to flee given the seriousness of the charges, the apparent weight
of the evidence, and Defendant’s ties to Mexico. Therefore, the Court concludes that the Section
3142 factors require pretrial detention.
IV. CONCLUSION
The record as a whole establishes, by clear and convincing evidence, that no condition or
combination of conditions can be imposed that would reasonably assure the safety of the
community if Defendant was released pending trial. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e)(1). As such, the Court
GRANTS the Government’s [156] Emergency Motion for De Novo Review of Magistrate’s
Release Order and Request to Stay Defendants’ Release Pending De Novo Review, VACATES
the prior release order, and orders Defendant held without bond pending trial and transported to
the District of Columbia. An appropriate order accompanies this memorandum opinion.
(i ( be) K We (S/
COLLEEN KOLLAR-KOTELLY
United States District Judge
Dated: November 20, 2023
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