KATHRYN H. VRATIL, District Judge.
This matter is before the Court on the government's
The Court takes judicial notice of the Pretrial Services Report prepared May 24, 2013, and the proffers and evidence presented at the detention hearing on May 29 and June 7, 2013 and at the review hearing on June 12 and 13 and July 30, 2013. Based on the record evidence, the Court finds the following facts.
A female Confidential Informant ("CI") provided certain information about defendant to agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigations ("FBI"). In 2007, when the CI met defendant, he was a detective for the Police Department in Kansas City, Kansas ("KCKPD"). The CI and defendant had periodic contact and in December of 2010, they began a romantic relationship. In January of 2011, an FBI investigation led to the arrest of several officers in KCKPD's Selective, Crime, Occurrence, Reduction Enforcement ("SCORE") Unit. Three SCORE officers pled guilty to federal civil rights violations. The SCORE takedown did not involve defendant, but he had close friends who were arrested and convicted as part of the federal investigation. The CI stated that after the SCORE takedown, defendant became very paranoid and angry toward the judicial system.
On November 20, 2011, at the rehearsal dinner for his sister's wedding, defendant was drinking alcohol and became extremely aggressive and disruptive. During the dinner, defendant asked the maid of honor if she could get him oxycontin. Defendant's sister, who had seen defendant abuse alcohol on prior occasions, had defendant removed from the dinner. Defendant's sister testified that after the incident, she was fearful of defendant and would be afraid of him if he is released.
In December of 2011, defendant told the CI that he had resigned from the police department because of an internal affairs investigation related to his personal use of a KCKPD vehicle outside of Kansas City, Kansas and his attempt to mask the signal on the GPS unit of the vehicle. Defendant began to tell the CI that "they'll get their's" and that he will "have his revenge," referring to the individuals responsible for the arrest of the SCORE officers and the internal affairs investigation involving defendant.
At a retirement party at a local restaurant on December 9, 2011, defendant approached KCKPD Detective Steve Owen. Defendant knew that Detective Owen was a good friend of Detective Herron. Defendant told Detective Owen that Detective Herron better not cross paths with him. Defendant told Detective Owen that Detective Herron better "watch himself" and that Detective Owen "hasn't seen the last of John Hudson."
In February of 2012, defendant got a Grim Reaper tattoo on his left arm. The tattoo had six skulls around the Grim Reaper and a phrase which is Latin for "Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth and you're next." Defendant told the CI that the six skulls represent the six "black rats."
In May or June of 2012, defendant borrowed money from his mother and as collateral, he left an unloaded AR-15 assault-style rifle in a case with a 30-round clip at her house. Defendant's mother did not ask for or want the gun.
In July of 2012, defendant told the CI that he had demons, that he was in a "dark place" and that he had a plan involving Major Cosgrove that needed to take place. Defendant told the CI that his plan would be to "take him out" and that he would make it seem random. Defendant talked to the CI about his shooting abilities and told the CI that he wanted Major Cosgrove to know that it was him. Defendant told the CI that before he would start his plan, he wanted to take care of a few things such as getting his medical disability, disappearing by getting rid of his phones and anything traceable and filing for 50 per cent custody of his children.
In September or October 2012, at Johnnie's Tavern, defendant hit another patron in the throat and knocked him out. Defendant argues that he did not hit the individual, but instead put him in a "sleeper hold." The distinction is immaterial because in either event, defendant's aggressive behavior caused the victim to briefly pass out.
Near the end of November of 2012, the CI noticed that defendant had an extreme change in behavior. During this period, he had a falling out with his mother as well as the CI's mother. Defendant began making comments about how he thought he would get shot in the back, and he refused to keep the blinds open where he resided.
In December of 2012, defendant told the CI that he is a trained killer, that he is able to be lethal with just his body, and that he knows enough about crime scenes that he can get away with homicide. Defendant also spoke about his tattoo and went off his medication because he felt "numb."
The CI reported that as of March of 2013, defendant still had a KCKPD badge that he had used in traffic stops and to get into county buildings after hours. Defendant does not have a license to carry and conceal a firearm, and is not licensed to carry a firearm as a retired officer. The CI reported that defendant was always armed. He kept a handgun in his pocket or on his back waistline. The CI stated that in defendant's residence, he kept a shotgun by the front door, a shotgun in the laundry room, an assault rifle in the bedroom and a handgun in the kitchen.
In March of 2013, defendant told the CI that he would "start taking them out, one by one." He described how prior to enacting this plan, he would talk with his 12-year-old son and explain how he had to stand on his principles, how he knew he was going to go to prison for what he was going to do and how he knew that he would probably get lethal injection. As recently as March 31, 2013, defendant stated that he wants to "go poof" (meaning that he was going to become untraceable) and that he needed to enact his plan.
On May 10, 2013, during and following a parent-child soccer game, defendant and his ex-wife's husband Daniel were involved in an altercation. Defendant pushed Daniel, who is much smaller than defendant, with both hands in the chest. On May 12, 2013, defendant sent a text message to the CI, stating in part as follows:
On May 13, 2013, defendant sent text messages to the CI, stating in part as follows:
On May 20, 2013, Magistrate Judge James P. O'Hara issued a search warrant for defendant's residence in Kansas City, Kansas. On May 23, 2013, FBI agents executed the warrant and recovered multiple guns and ammunition. During the search, agents observed two ballistic vests including one with "Police" on it. Agents also saw two KCKPD badges in a kitchen cupboard. In defendant's wallet on his person, he had an official KCKPD identification, credentials and another badge. Agents later confirmed that KCKPD had not authorized defendant to keep these credentials.
During the search, agents observed numerous pill bottles in every room of the residence. Only some of the bottles were labeled and in defendant's name. The CI reported that defendant self-medicates with both prescribed narcotics (including anti-anxiety medication and anti-depressant medication) and non-prescribed narcotics (including steroids, morphine and oxycodone). The CI also stated that defendant drinks alcohol heavily and that many of his incidents of violence are related to alcohol abuse.
Dr. Kathleen King, defendant's psychotherapist, opined that based on her visits with defendant on a sporadic basis since 2008, she did not consider defendant to be a danger to society in general or anyone in particular if released from custody.
The CI in this case is a licensed social worker. The CI and defendant had a romantic relationship. Defendant did not consult the CI on a professional basis. The CI used her knowledge and experience as a social worker to talk things through with defendant when he was struggling emotionally. The CI made no reports, records or other professional findings during these communications. During defendant's relationship with the CI, defendant was actually seeing a professional psychotherapist. At one point, the CI helped defendant review an application for mental health benefits to be filed with the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS).
The CI eventually told a friend, who was a police officer, about defendant's threats and mental condition. The CI did not want to disclose defendant's threats and mental condition to law enforcement officers, but she eventually talked to police in early April of 2013.
A grand jury charged John D. Hudson with four counts of retaliation against Chief Armstrong, Captain Lawson and others for giving FBI agents information related to the commission or possible commission of federal criminal civil rights violations in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1513(b)(2).
On May 29 and June 7, 2013, Magistrate Judge David J. Waxse held a detention hearing. Over the government's objection, Judge Waxse granted a $25,000 bond and ordered that defendant be released on conditions.
The government may seek review of a magistrate judge's order of release under 18 U.S.C. § 3145(a)(1). The district court reviews de novo a magistrate judge's order of release or detention.
Under the Bail Reform Act of 1984, 18 U.S.C. § 3141
18 U.S.C. § 3142(g).
The government has the burden to show that no condition or combination of conditions would reasonably assure the accused's presence in later proceedings and/or the safety of other persons and the community.
Initially, the Court addresses defendant's assertion of privilege. Defendant argues that his statements to the CI are protected by the psychotherapist-patient privilege.
Defendant has not satisfied his burden to show that he made any statements to the CI "in the course of diagnosis or treatment." To determine whether a meeting occurred "in the course of diagnosis or treatment," the Court considers the totality of the circumstances.
To support his assertion of privilege, defendant relies solely on the CI's testimony. Her testimony does not establish, however, and defendant has not otherwise shown, that he made any statements to the CI "in the course of diagnosis or treatment." The CI held herself out as defendant's girlfriend, not as his therapist. Defendant did not consult the CI on a professional basis. The CI made no reports, records or other professional findings regarding their communications. During defendant's relationship with the CI, defendant was seeing Dr. King, a psychotherapist, on a professional basis. Defendant discussed psychological issues with the CI, but he did so because she was his girlfriend, not because he was seeking "diagnosis or treatment" from her. See id. at 1048 (privilege applies only when therapist practices her craft, not whenever therapist and patient communicate). For these reasons, the Court overrules defendant's assertion of privilege as to his statements to the CI.
The charged offenses of witness retaliation are crimes of violence because they involve the "threatened use of physical force." 18 U.S.C. § 3156(a)(4);
The CI gave highly credible testimony that defendant threatened the use of physical force against a number of individuals, including specific threats in February of 2012 and March of 2013 identifying Chief Armstrong, Captain Lawson and other KCKPD officers. The weight of the evidence favors detention.
Defendant is 42 years old and has resided in the Kansas City metropolitan area his whole life. Defendant's father is deceased. Defendant no longer has contact with his mother or his sister. From 1995 to 2005, he was married to Renee Hill and had two children who currently reside with her.
Defendant has a bachelor's degree in Justice Systems and a master's degree in Business Administration. Defendant is currently employed as a law enforcement instructor at Herndon Career Center.
Defendant has a number of firearms in his residence and he has routinely carried a firearm. He has made numerous threats and has shared his plan to take out or eliminate a number of individuals. Defendant has also acted violently on a number of occasions. Several witnesses testified that they have never seen defendant act violently. Even so, the CI had much more contact with defendant since December of 2010, and provided highly credible testimony about defendant's violent behavior and desire to get revenge against the officers who were responsible for the arrest of the SCORE officers and the internal affairs investigation involving defendant. Defendant's sister also testified that she is fearful of defendant. Finally, defendant made several disturbing comments to the CI by text and in person. These comments suggest that defendant believes he can get away with homicide, that he wants revenge on several KCKPD officers and that his ex-wife's husband is lucky to be alive after attempting to spit on him. Because defendant has a history of violence and threats against law enforcement officers, his history and characteristics indicate that he is not capable of complying with conditions of release and that he poses a danger to the community.
Before releasing defendant on any set of conditions, the Court must be satisfied that he will not pose a danger to any other person or to the community.
Defendant presented various witnesses who testified to his non-violent and peaceable nature. The Court does not necessarily discredit that testimony so much as it recalls the parable of the elephant that is common to many religious traditions. A Jain version of the parable says that six blind men were asked to determine what an elephant looked like by feeling different parts of the elephant's body. The blind man who feels a leg says the elephant is like a pillar; the one who feels the tail says the elephant is like a rope; the one who feels the trunk says the elephant is like a tree branch; the one who feels the ear says the elephant is like a hand fan; the one who feels the belly says the elephant is like a wall; and the one who feels the tusk says the elephant is like a solid pipe. A king explains to them: "All of you are right. The reason every one of you is telling it differently is because each one of you touched the different part of the elephant. So, actually the elephant has all the features you mentioned." Here, defendant may be both generally non-dangerous and highly dangerous to specific individuals in specific situations — the two scenarios are not mutually exclusive. Therefore, notwithstanding defendant's evidence, the Court finds that the government has carried its burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that defendant presents a danger to the community if released prior to trial and that no set of conditions can reasonably assure the safety of the community if he is released.
Defendant's ties to the Kansas City metropolitan area weigh in favor of release. But this factor is outweighed by the other factors discussed above, which indicate that defendant has a history of violence and threats against others. Based on the indictment, the record before the magistrate judge, including the pretrial services report, and the evidence presented at the hearing on June 12 and 13 and July 30, 2013, the Court concludes that defendant poses a danger to the community and that no set of conditions of release will reasonably assure his appearance as required and the safety of any other person and the community.
