United States v. Sorto ( 2020 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
__________________________________
)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, )
)
v. )
) Criminal Action Nos. 13-262-01, 02, 05 (RMC)
PABLO LOVO, et al., )
)
Defendants. )
_________________________________ )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
A jury convicted Pablo Lovo, Joel Sorto, and Yonas Eshetu in 2014 of conspiring
to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951, and Mr. Lovo and Mr. Sorto
of using, carrying or possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). The
Defendants were sentenced to prison terms of varying lengths followed by three years of
supervised release. Following a 2018 Supreme Court decision in another case, the convictions of
Messrs. Lovo and Sorto on the gun count were overturned; each Defendant’s conviction of
conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 1951 was sustained. In 2018, all three Defendants were released
from the Bureau of Prisons to begin their terms of supervised release. Each man has moved for
early termination of supervised release.
I. FACTS
Mr. Lovo was sentenced to sixty-four months of incarceration for conspiring to
interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (Count One), and sixty months
of incarceration for using, carrying or possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, 18 U.S.C.
§ 924(c) (Count Two), to run consecutively; Mr. Sorto was sentenced to forty months of
incarceration on Count One, and sixty months of incarceration on Count Two, to run
consecutively; and Mr. Eshetu was sentenced to sixty-four months of incarceration on Count
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One. Each Defendant was sentenced to thirty-six months of supervised release following
incarceration.
Defendants appealed their convictions on various grounds and, in an opinion
dated July 25, 2017, the D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court on all but one claim. United
States v. Eshetu, 863 F.3d 946 (D.C. Cir. 2017) (Eshetu I), vacated in part on reh’g, 898 F.3d 36
(D.C. Cir. 2018). The Circuit remanded to the district court to consider whether Defendants
suffered ineffective assistance of counsel when trial counsel did not object to the admission of
certain recordings or raise an entrapment defense. This Court received a mandate as to Mr.
Eshetu on August 3, 2018; following a status hearing, the parties agreed to suspend further
proceedings on the ineffective assistance claim until the Court received mandates for Messrs.
Lovo and Sorto.
Following the 2017 Circuit opinion, the Supreme Court held that 18 U.S.C.
§ 16(b)—the “residual clause” of section 16’s crime-of-violence definition—is
unconstitutionally vague. Sessions v. Dimaya, 138 S. Ct. 1204, 1210 (2018). Messrs. Lovo and
Sorto sought further review of their convictions on Count Two in light of Dimaya and on August
3, 2018, the Circuit vacated their convictions on Count Two. United States v. Eshetu, 898 F.3d
36 (D.C. Cir. 2018) (Eshetu II). Counsel for Messrs. Lovo and Sorto then moved for their
clients’ immediate release because each had already served his full prison term on Count One.
The Court granted these motions: Mr. Sorto was released from the Bureau of Prisons on October
5, 2018, and Mr. Lovo was released on November 19, 2018. 1 Mr. Eshetu was released several
months earlier on May 17, 2018.
1
When released from the Bureau of Prisons, Mr. Lovo was detained by U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) until April 2019.
2
Mr. Eshetu’s term of supervised release will expire on May 16, 2021; Mr. Sorto’s
on October 4, 2021; and Mr. Lovo’s on November 18, 2021. Each Defendant has moved for
early termination of supervised release and Mr. Lovo has moved, in the alternative, to modify his
conditions of release. The Government opposes Defendants’ motions. The matter is ripe for
review. 2
II. LEGAL STANDARD
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e), a court may “terminate a term of supervised
release and discharge the defendant released at any time after the expiration of one year of
supervised release . . . if it is satisfied that such action is warranted by the conduct of the
defendant released and the interest of justice.” 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(1). A district court may also
“modify, reduce, or enlarge the conditions of supervised release[ ] at any time prior to the
expiration or termination of the term of supervised release.” Id. § 3583(e)(2).
When considering a request for early termination of supervised release, the Court
must first consider: (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense and the defendant’s history
and characteristics; (2) deterrence of criminal conduct; (3) protection of the public from further
crimes of the defendant; (4) the need to provide the defendant with education or vocational
training, medical care, or other correctional treatment; (5) the applicable sentencing guideline
range for the offense and pertinent policy statements issued by the U.S. Sentencing Commission;
(6) the need to avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities; and (7) the need to provide restitution
2
See Joel Sorto Mot. for Termination of Supervised Release (Sorto Mot.) [Dkt. 303]; Yonas
Eshetu Mot. for Termination of Supervised Release (Eshetu Mot.) [Dkt. 304]; Pablo Lovo Mot.
for Termination of Supervised Release and in the Alternative to Modify Conditions (Lovo Mot.)
[Dkt. 306]; Gov’t’s Omnibus Opp’n to the Defs.’ Mots. for Termination of Supervised Release
(Opp’n) [Dkt. 308]; see also Gov’t’s Suppl. Omnibus Opp’n to the Defs.’ Mots. for Termination
of Supervised Release (Suppl. Opp’n) [Dkt. 309]; Gov’t’s Second Suppl. Opp’n to the Defs.’
Mots. for Termination of Supervised Release (Second Suppl. Opp’n) [Dkt. 311].
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to any victims of the offense. See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a); see also United States v. Harris, 258 F.
Supp. 3d 137, 144 (D.D.C. 2017).
The Circuit Court for the District of Columbia Circuit has instructed that the
district court must explain its consideration of the requisite factors when denying a motion for
early termination, unless “the reasons for denying the motion are apparent from the record.”
United States v. Mathis–Gardner, 783 F.3d 1286, 1289 (D.C. Cir. 2015).
III. ANALYSIS
Only the first four factors of Section 3553(a) are of particular relevance to the
Defendants. The fifth factor—the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s Guidelines and policy
statements—is of limited relevance because “the Commission has not promulgated any
guidelines or policy statements addressing early termination of supervised release, but limited its
policy guidance to violations of supervised release.” Harris, 258 F. Supp. 3d at 145. The sixth
factor, which considers avoiding unwarranted sentencing disparities, has “limited utility”
because this factor “would generally undermine the case specific inquiry required in evaluating a
motion for early termination of supervised release.” Id. The seventh factor, which considers
restitution obligations, does not apply because there were no victims in this case.
The remaining pertinent factors must be analyzed for each Defendant: (1) the
nature and circumstances of the offense; (2) deterrence of criminal conduct; (3) protection of the
public; and (4) the need to provide the defendant with training or correctional treatment. It is
also pertinent to review whether each man’s conduct following release and whether the “interest
of justice” warrants an early termination of supervised release. 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(1).
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A. Mr. Lovo
1. Request for Early Termination of Supervision
Nature and Circumstances of the Offense. In 2013, Messrs. Lovo, Sorto, and
Eshetu joined a conspiracy with two other co-defendants to rob a narcotics dealer who was,
unbeknownst to them, totally fictitious. The plan came to fruition over the course of five
meetings with an undercover police officer and culminated in a September 5, 2013 meeting at a
Washington, D.C. storage facility, where the police arrested all conspirators. Mr. Lovo attended
all five meetings and served as a leader and organizer of the conspiracy. See Eshetu I, 863 F.3d
at 949-50.
As the Government observes, Mr. Lovo’s acts were “very detailed in [their]
planning” and the coconspirators “were prepared to engage in what could have been very violent
criminal acts.” Opp’n at 9. During an August 24, 2013 meeting, Mr. Lovo volunteered to supply
guns for the robbery, including a “TEC-9” semiautomatic pistol. Eshetu I, 863 F.3d at 949.
Mr. Lovo was initially found guilty on Counts One and Two; however, the latter
charge has been vacated. See Eshetu II, 898 F.3d 36. Mr. Lovo has no other felony convictions:
his criminal history includes six misdemeanor convictions, four of which were traffic offenses.
Nevertheless, the Court finds that the first factor weighs against granting early termination due to
the seriousness of Mr. Lovo’s criminal conduct in this case.
Deterrence, Protecting the Public, and Training or Correctional Treatment. Mr.
Lovo has not been rearrested while on supervision. However, the Probation Office has advised
that its risk assessment tool suggests that Mr. Lovo poses a high risk of engaging in new criminal
activity while in the community.
Mr. Lovo’s initial drug screen tested positive for cocaine. This Court then
modified Mr. Lovo’s conditions of release to require substance abuse treatment. The
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Government reports that as of November 20, 2019, Mr. Lovo had “completed three of the six
required substance abuse group sessions,” and that random drug testing will cease after
completion of six sessions. Suppl. Opp’n at 3. The Government further notes that “Mr. Lovo is
required to call the [substance abuse treatment] program on a daily basis in the evenings and
based upon the system used by the program, he will be notified whether he has to report for
random drug testing the following day.” Id.
Due to Probation’s determination that Mr. Lovo poses a high risk of engaging in
new criminal activity and Mr. Lovo’s ongoing treatment, the Court concludes that the factors of
deterring further crime, protecting the public, and providing correctional treatment through
substance abuse treatment favor continuing Mr. Lovo’s supervision and denying his request for
early termination of supervision.
Consideration of Interest of Justice Under 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(1)
“In addition to consideration of the factors under § 3553(a), the Court must be
‘satisfied’ that early termination of supervised release ‘is warranted by the conduct of the
defendant released and the interest of justice.’” United States v. King, No. 03-cr-249 (BAH),
2019 WL 415818, at *4 (D.D.C. Feb. 1, 2019) (citing 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(1)). In this case, Mr.
Lovo contends that his conditions of release are onerous and unnecessary given his employment,
absence of new violations, and compliance with the terms of supervision. Lovo Mot. at 2. Mr.
Lovo notes that since April 2019, he has resided at his mother’s home in Maryland and has been
employed as a mechanic and also performing home renovation jobs. The Probation Officer
conducts home visits either monthly or every other month. 3
3
Mr. Lovo is supervised by the Probation Office in Maryland. The Government notes that the
Probation Office in Maryland does not require in-person or telephonic reporting; instead, the
Probation Office conducts home visits. Suppl. Opp’n at 2-3.
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The Government responds that Mr. Lovo has not been in full compliance due to
his positive drug test. Moreover, the Government argues that “a defendant’s good behavior,
standing alone, is insufficient to warrant early termination of supervised release”; rather, a
defendant “‘must show something of an unusual or extraordinary nature in addition to full
compliance.’” Opp’n at 14 (quoting United States v. Johnson, 228 F. Supp. 3d 57, 63 (D.D.C.
2017)).
It is commendable that Mr. Lovo has maintained stable employment although he
has not otherwise shown exceptional behavior. Cf. Harris, 258 F. Supp. 3d at 149-150 (stating
that “construing 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(1) to require the defendant to exhibit objectively
extraordinary or unusual conduct during supervision is a stretch not expressed in the statutory
text”). More importantly, Mr. Lovo has only been in the community since April 2019 when he
was released by ICE. Given this relatively short period of time, his overall compliance with his
conditions of supervised release does not persuade the Court that terminating his supervised
release at this juncture is in the “interest of justice.” 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(1).
Mr. Lovo also “requests that the Court terminate the term of supervised release to
take into account that he actually served time in prison in excess imposed by the Court.” Lovo
Mot. at 3. Mr. Lovo references the fact that by the time he was released after Count Two was
vacated by the Circuit, he had already served his full prison sentence on Count One. However,
the Court is cognizant that “[s]upervised release fulfills rehabilitative ends, distinct from those
served by incarceration.” United States v. Johnson, 529 U.S. 53, 59 (2000); see also Harris, 258
F. Supp. 3d at 144-45 (discussing legislative history). In considering a request for early
termination of supervised release, the Court’s inquiry does not focus on Mr. Lovo’s term of
incarceration but, rather, whether continued supervision is needed “to improve the odds of a
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successful transition from the prison to liberty.” Johnson v. United States, 529 U.S. 694, 708-09
(2000). Such is the case here.
The Court will deny without prejudice Mr. Lovo’s request for early termination of
supervised release.
2. Request for Modification of Release Conditions
Mr. Lovo moves, in the alternative, to modify the terms of his release to require
no more than monthly phone calls to the Probation Office. Opp’n at 3. Mr. Lovo notes that
“[h]is current conditions of supervised release require that he call the Probation Department on a
daily basis” and that “[t]hese conditions are onerous and unnecessary.” Id.
The Government opposes Mr. Lovo’s modification request and explains that
Defendant Lovo does not report daily by telephone to the Probation
Office. [Rather,] Defendant Lovo calls the substance abuse
treatment program daily to learn whether he needs to report for
random drug testing the following day. Once the defendant
successfully completes the remaining three substance abuse group
sessions, the random drug testing and daily calls will cease.
Suppl. Opp’n at 5.
Accordingly, the Court will deny Mr. Lovo’s request to modify his conditions so
that Mr. Lovo can successfully complete his substance abuse treatment program.
B. Mr. Sorto
Nature and Circumstances of the Offense. Mr. Sorto participated in two meetings
in preparation for the planned robbery. During a meeting on August 24, 2013, Mr. Sorto and Mr.
Lovo discussed the robbery’s target and logistics and Mr. Sorto “interjected that he would be
armed with a machete.” Eshetu I, 863 F.3d at 949. Mr. Sorto also attended the final meeting on
September 5, 2013, which took place just before the robbery was planned to occur.
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Mr. Sorto was initially found guilty on Counts One and Two. As with Mr. Lovo,
the latter charge has been vacated. See Eshetu II, 898 F.3d 36. Mr. Sorto’s prior criminal history
includes two previous felony convictions: one for carrying a pistol without a license and another
for attempted robbery. For both of these convictions, Mr. Sorto had his probation revoked. In
this case, Mr. Sorto began supervision on October 5, 2018.
The seriousness of Mr. Sorto’s conduct in this case, his attempted/planned use of
a machete for the acknowledged purpose of frightening people, his prior criminal history, and his
limited period of supervision weigh against granting early termination of supervision at this time.
Deterrence, Protecting the Public, and Training or Correctional Treatment. Mr.
Sorto has not been rearrested while on supervision and generally appears to be in compliance
with his conditions of supervision. The Probation Officer reports that Mr. Sorto is currently
unemployed and that it has referred him to several vocational programs. The Government states
that Mr. Sorto was terminated from his most recent job on October 30, 2019, following a verbal
altercation with his supervisor. All of Mr. Sorto’s drug tests have been negative. The
Government notes that Mr. Sorto has completed cognitive behavioral therapy on supervision.
Mr. Sorto’s job loss is of concern and suggests that job training and/or referrals
from the Probation Office remain important to help Mr. Sorto succeed in his return to the
community. He has also served just over a year of supervision. These considerations weigh
against early release at this time.
Consideration of Interest of Justice Under 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(1)
Mr. Sorto asserts that early termination of supervision is appropriate because “he
works full time after having difficulty finding a job” and “he is subject to unannounced visits at
his work site[ ] which disrupts his work-related responsibilities and puts his hard-won job in
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jeopardy.” Sorto Mot. at 2. However, the Probation Officer reports that Mr. Sorto is currently
unemployed and the Government attributes his discharge to an argument with his supervisor.
The Probation Officer further reports that Mr. Sorto’s housing is not yet stable.
Because of the seriousness of his offense, including the planned use of a machete;
the relatively short time that Mr. Sorto has been on supervision; and the fact that he has neither
employment nor stable housing, the Court does not consider early termination of supervised
release to be in the interest of justice. 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(1). The Court will deny without
prejudice Mr. Sorto’s request for early termination.
C. Mr. Eshetu
Nature and Circumstances of the Offense. Mr. Eshetu participated in the final
meeting in preparation for the planned robbery on September 5, 2013. During this meeting “[he]
assumed something of a leadership role, assigning his confederates specific tasks for the
robbery.” Eshetu I, 863 F.3d at 950. Mr. Eshetu was convicted on Count One, which is his sole
felony conviction. Mr. Eshetu’s prior criminal history includes three misdemeanor convictions.
For one of these misdemeanor convictions, his probation was revoked for repeated violations.
The seriousness of Mr. Eshetu’s conduct in this case weighs against granting early
termination.
Deterrence, Protecting the Public, and Training or Correctional Treatment. Mr.
Eshetu has been on supervised release for 19 months and has not been rearrested. He has
generally maintained compliance with his supervision conditions. 4 Mr. Eshetu completed a
substance abuse assessment and the Government has not argued that any additional treatment is
4
The Probation Officer reports that Mr. Eshetu had one positive drug test for marijuana on July
24, 2019, and that all prior and subsequent tests have been negative.
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necessary. He has consistently held a fulltime job during supervision, which might explain his
failure to participate in an educational or vocational skills training program, which is one of Mr.
Eshetu’s conditions of release.
The factors of deterrence and job assistance do not favor the continuation of
supervision although protection of the public weighs somewhat in favor of continuing it.
Consideration of Interest of Justice Under 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(1)
Mr. Eshetu contends that early termination of supervised release is appropriate
because “he works full time” and “is subject to unannounced visits at his work site, which
disrupts his work-related activities”; he “is still required to report in person to his [United States
Probation Office] supervising officer . . . on little or no notice”; and he “is in full compliance
with the requirements of supervised release.” Eshetu Mot. at 2. The Probation Officer reports
that she currently sees Mr. Eshetu approximately every other month through unannounced home
or job visits. The Probation Officer reports that Mr. Eshetu has never indicated to her that visits
to his work site have caused any difficulty. Moreover, the Probation Officer explains that Mr.
Eshetu is only required to report in person to the Probation Officer if a specific matter needs to
be addressed, such as a drug screen, and that he is provided at least twenty-four hours’ notice.
It is obviously noteworthy and to his credit that Mr. Eshetu has maintained steady
employment and abided by his conditions of supervision as needed. In March of 2019, the Court
vacated the requirement that Mr. Eshetu report in-person to Probation on a weekly basis. Mr.
Eshetu now has reduced, bimonthly contracts with Probation. This change in the degree of
supervision has had no reported negative results.
The Court will applaud Mr. Eshetu by granting his motion for early termination of
supervised release.
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IV. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated, the Motions for Early Termination of Supervised Release
filed by Messrs. Lovo and Sorto, Dkts. 303 and 306, will be denied and the similar Motion filed
by Mr. Eshetu, Dkt. 304, will be granted. A separate Order accompanies this Memorandum
Opinion.
Date: January 2, 2020
ROSEMARY M. COLLYER
United States District Judge
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