CINDY K. JORGENSON, District Judge.
Pending before the Court is Defendant's Motion for Release on Bond Pending Appeal (Doc. 443). The government has filed a response and Defendant has filed a reply.
Defendant Chris Nero ("Nero") requests this Court to allow him to remain out of custody pending appeal. The applicable statute provides, inter alia:
18 U.S.C. § 3143(b).
"Although danger to the community and flight risk are threshold factors under § 3143(b)(1)(A), in that context the court considers only whether the defendant has proved by clear and convincing evidence that he is `not likely' to flee or pose a danger to others." United States v. Garcia, 340 F.3d 1013, 1021 n. 6 (9th Cir. 2003); United States v. Wheeler, 795 F.2d 839 (9th Cir. 1986) (appellant/defendant has burden of showing he is not a flight risk or a danger to any person or the community). In his motion, Nero conclusorily asserts the record establishes by clear and convincing evidence that he is not likely to flee or pose a danger to the safety of any other person or the community if released pending appeal. In his reply Nero points out that he appeared for sentencing under more dire potential circumstances than he faces now because he has already served a portion of his sentence and he believes he will succeed on appeal. While Nero acknowledges that his telephone communications while incarcerated may show that he intends to leave the United States once this case is over, the communications do not indicate that Nero will flee if released on bond. However, Nero is now aware of the length of his incarceration and the amount of restitution owed. The Court finds Nero has not failed to show by clear and convincing evidence that he is not likely to flee if released.
Nero also asserts that he is not a danger to the safety of any other person or the community if released. Specifically, Nero asserts that the excerpts of transcripts of recorded telephone calls made after Nero was sentenced to prison show that he has never indicated an intent to physically harm anyone. However, the excerpts include statements that Nero will "liquidate" the "sons of bitches that put [Nero] behind prison for no reason[,]" when he gets out "everybody better stand down because [Nero has] so much fuck' fire inside of [him], it is going to be fuckin' forest fire and there aint's a damn fuckin' thing anybody can do to stop [him,]" when Nero gets out of prison he will "fuck over a lot of people[,]" and he is coming back with vengeance. Response, Ex. 1. These statements, when viewed in light of Nero's history (e.g., conviction for drug trafficking offense in which Nero carried a loaded firearm, conviction for Furnishing Obscene or Harmful Items to a Minor, DUI convictions, and allegations of domestic abuse and armed robbery), establishes by clear and convincing evidence that Nero is likely to pose a danger to the safety of any other person or the community if released.
The Court finds Nero's appeal is brought in good faith and not for the purpose of delay.
Even if clear and convincing evidence had established that Nero is not likely to flee or pose a danger to the safety of any other person or the community if released, the Court finds release pending appeal is not appropriate. As previously stated, the appeal must raise a substantial question of law or fact likely to result in a reversal (or other favorable result as set forth in the statute). A "substantial question" is one that is fairly debatable or fairly doubtful. It is a question of more substance than would be necessary to a finding it was not frivolous. Garcia, 340 F.3d 1013 (9th Cir. 2003); United States v. Montoya, 908 F.2d 450 (9th Cir. 1990).
The Court concludes that Nero's appeal does not raise a "substantial question of law or fact" because he has not raised an issue that is "fairly debatable" or "fairly doubtful." See Handy, 761 F.3d at 1283; 18 U.S.C. § 3143(b)(1). The essence of Nero's appeal is that counsel was ineffective and that the Court erred in denying his motion to withdraw his guilty plea. However, challenging a conviction based on ineffective assistance of counsel by way of a habeas corpus petition is the preferred method because it permits a defendant to develop the record. See United States v. Laughlin, 933 F.2d 786, 788-89 (9th Cir. 1991).
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED Nero's Motion for Release on Bond Pending Appeal (Doc. 443) is DENIED.