R. STAN BAKER, Magistrate Judge.
Presently before the Court is the Government's Motion for Revocation of Defendant Marcus Mungin's ("Mungin") Pre-Trial Release. (Sealed Doc. 114-1.) The Court conducted a hearing on this matter on March 22, 2018, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3148. For the reasons set forth on the record at this hearing and supplemented below, the Court
In this action, Defendant is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846; and with unlawful use of a communications facility, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b) and 18 U.S.C. § 2. (Doc. 3.) On March 14, 2018, the Court entered an Order setting the conditions of Mungin's pretrial release. (Doc. 47.) That Order set an Appearance bond in the amount of $30,000 to be secured by a solvent surety. (
In the Government's petition, the United States Probation Office alleged Mungin violated the above-referenced conditions of supervision. Specifically, Officer Fonda Dixon alleged that on March 15, 2018, Mr. Mungin reported for a urinalysis and provided a urine specimen that tested positive for marijuana. (Sealed Doc. 114-1.) Mungin admitted that he used marijuana on March 14, 2018, following his release from custody. (
Mungin was subsequently arrested and an initial appearance was held on March 22, 2018. (Doc. 115.) Additionally, a bond revocation hearing was held later that same day. (Doc. 116.) Mr. Mungin appeared at both hearings with counsel. After consultation with counsel, Defendant Mungin stipulated that he violated the conditions of his pretrial release as alleged in the Petition.
The Court finds by clear and convincing evidence that Mungin violated the conditions of release previously imposed by the Court. 18 U.S.C. § 3148(b)(1)(a). Mungin is addicted to, or abuses, mood-altering chemicals and is likely to continue such conduct and violate the law if permitted to remain on pretrial release. Additionally, Mungin will not likely comply with conditions which restrict Mungin's travel, personal contacts, and possession of drugs, alcohol, and/or firearms, require reporting, education, employment, or treatment, or monitor Mungin's movements or conduct; or any combination of these conditions or others currently proposed or available (
However, during the bond revocation hearing, the Government moved for detention unless and until Mungin can be released into an inpatient treatment facility. (Doc. 116.) The Court directed Mungin's counsel to search for such a facility and to file a motion to that effect if and when an appropriate facility is identified. (
Having found that a condition of the Appearance Bond has been breached, pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 46(f)(1), the Court "must declare the bail forfeited." Fed. R. Crim. P. 46(f)(1). Forfeiture is triggered not just by a failure to appear but also by violations of other conditions.
However, under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 46(f)(2), the Court may set aside a forfeiture in whole or in part if "it appears that justice does not require bail forfeiture." Fed. R. Crim. P. 46(f)(2). Rule 46(f)(1) combines with Rule 46(f)(2) and (f)(4) to give district courts "virtually unbridled discretion" in remitting bond forfeiture.
Justice requires setting aside all of the forfeiture in this case. Mungin's willfulness and immediacy in breaching the conditions of his Bond cannot be overstated. In addition, while Mungin's breach did not cause delay in the trial of this case, it resulted in cost and inconvenience to the Court and the Government. Nevertheless, Mungin appeared contrite for his violations at the hearings and saved the Government and the Court time and resources by stipulating to his violation. Counsel for Mungin provided several mitigating factors at the hearing. These factors include Mungin's: candor to the probation officer regarding his violation; work history; struggle with drug addiction; and, most compellingly, Mungin's medical history and his current dependency on dialysis several times a week. Further, the surety Bernice Watson Mungin does not appear to be responsible for Mungin's violations of his pretrial release conditions, and there is no evidence that she participated in Mungin's admitted violations.
The Court
In light of the foregoing and the evidence received at the hearing, I
The Court
If the Court receives any timely objections to the Order that Defendant be detained pending trial, a district judge will review such objections and will modify or set aside a part of the Order only if it is contrary to law or clearly erroneous. Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(a). If the Court receives any timely objections to the Report and Recommendation regarding forfeiture, a district judge will consider such objections and, upon a de novo review of the record, may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or recommendations herein. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C); Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(b). Objections not meeting the timeliness and specificity requirements set out above will not be considered by a district judge.
The Court