United States v. Gage

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
__________________________________
)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, )
)
v. )
) Criminal Action No. 18-112-03 (RMC)
JAMAR GAGE, )
)
Defendant. )
_________________________________ )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Jamar Gage requests release pending trial pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3142. Mr.
Gage is charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent
to distribute one kilogram or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of
phencyclidine (PCP) in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A)(iv). Indictment
[Dkt. 1] at 1-2. The Court held a bond review hearing on November 15, 2018. At its conclusion
and upon consideration of the proffers and arguments of counsel and the entire record herein, the
Court denied Mr. Gage’s motion. This memorandum is prepared in compliance with the
statutory obligation that “the judicial officer shall . . . include written findings of fact and a
written statement of the reasons for the detention.” 18 U.S.C. § 3142(i)(1).
I. FINDINGS OF FACT
A. Description of the Offense
At the detention hearing, the United States proceeded by proffer based on the
Indictment and its detailed opposition brief. Opp’n [Dkt. 48]; see also Mot. for Bond [Dkt. 47].
Mr. Gage argued that the proffered evidence related to his sale of low and high-grade marijuana,
not PCP, and thereby materially lessened the seriousness of the alleged offense. The Court
makes the following findings of fact:
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Mr. Gage was arrested on April 27, 2018 as part of a “take down” after an
investigation of narcotics trafficking in the Washington, D.C. area conducted from
approximately November 2015 to March 2018 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The investigation included
controlled purchases by confidential sources assisting the FBI and ATF, physical surveillance,
interception of wire and electronic communications, and execution of search warrants, among
other tools.
Through interceptions of other target phones and those speaking with Mr. Gage’s
phone, the government concluded that Mr. Gage was engaged in the distribution of PCP. The
prosecutor cited numerous calls from March 30, 2017 to April 6, 2017 between Mr. Gage and
co-defendant Jahi Marshall wherein they discussed where to meet and Mr. Marshall made
requests for “one more,” “1 and 1,” and a “little boy.” Based on the experience of the
investigating agents, the term “1 and 1” referred to two one-ounce bottles of PCP and “little boy”
and “big boy” referred to half-ounce and one-ounce bottles of PCP, respectively.
Surveillance units observed Mr. Marshall on April 8, 2017, when he discarded a
small black bag; when the agents retrieved the bag, they discovered two bottles emanating a
strong chemical odor consistent with PCP. Later that same day, the agents observed Mr. Gage
stop a short distance away from where Mr. Marshall had discarded the bottles; Mr. Gage was
joined in his vehicle by Mr. Marshall for approximately one minute. Based on the content of
earlier conversations and the discarded bottles, the agents believe Mr. Gage was restocking Mr.
Marshall with PCP on April 8, 2017.
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On May 25, 2017 and May 31, 2017, interceptions between Mr. Marshall and Mr.
Gage showed the former again requesting “one of them little ones” and “A LIL ONE,” which the
agents believe to be half ounce bottles of PCP.
Interceptions also picked up calls between Mr. Gage and co-defendants Antonio
Tabron and Lamont Johnson. From July 26, 2017 to July 29, 2017, Mr. Gage spoke on multiple
occasions with Mr. Tabron and Mr. Johnson seemingly to coordinate a meeting or purchase. Mr.
Tabron told Mr. Gage he could probably “get it” from someone else for “either twenty-four or
twenty-six.” Based on the experience of the agents, the value of 16 ounces of PCP is about
$2400 or $2600. In his conversations with Mr. Johnson, Mr. Gage referenced 16 th Street and 8th
Street, which the agents believe was coded language for 16 or 8 ounces of PCP.
Additional interceptions between Mr. Gage and individuals not also indicted in
this case discussed the price for a “16 ounce jawnt,” “a swimming pool,” and “16 laps,” which
Mr. Gage notes cost “26.” Agents believe these conversations reflect requests for 16 ounces of
PCP, often referred to as “water” and which costs approximately $2400 to $2600 in the District
of Columbia.
Agents executed a search warrant on Mr. Gage’s vehicle on November 28, 2017,
and recovered an empty glass vial, which they state is the type of vial commonly used to package
and distribute PCP.
B. Criminal History of the Defendant
Based on a preliminary criminal history calculation prepared by the United States
Probation Office for the District of Columbia, the Court has some information about Mr. Gage’s
criminal history. See Gage Pre-Plea Criminal History Calculation [Dkt. 34]. Mr. Gage has four
prior criminal convictions and was under supervised probation at the time of the alleged offense
on a 2016 conviction for Driving Under the Influence.
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II. LEGAL STANDARD
The Bail Reform Act of 1984, 18 U.S.C. § 3142 et seq., provides, in pertinent
part, that if a judicial officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that “no 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, such judicial officer shall order the detention
of the [defendant] before trial.” 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e). Thus, even if a defendant is not considered
a flight risk, his or her danger to the community alone is sufficient reason to order pretrial
detention, and vice versa. See United States v. Salerno, 481 U.S. 739, 755 (1987). Where the
judicial officer’s justification for detention is premised upon the safety of the community, the
decision must be supported by “clear and convincing evidence.” 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(2). Where
the justification for detention is risk of flight, the decision must be supported by a preponderance
of the evidence. United States v. Simpkins, 826 F.2d 94, 96 (D.C. Cir. 1987).
Section 3142 imposes a rebuttable presumption of dangerousness or flight risk on
certain defendants based on the crimes charged, prior convictions, or similar considerations. See
18 U.S.C. § 3142(e)(2), (3). “[T]he indictment alone [is] enough to raise the rebuttable
presumption that no condition would reasonably assure the safety of the community.” United
States v. Smith, 79 F.3d 1208, 1210 (D.C. Cir. 1996). Mr. Gage has been indicted on one count
under the Controlled Substances Act, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of more
than ten years. See 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A)(iv). This offense triggers the
rebuttable presumption of § 3142(e)(3)(A), which provides that “[s]ubject to rebuttal by the
person, it shall be presumed that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably
assure [(1)] the appearance of the person as required and [(2)] the safety of the community if the
judicial officer finds that there is probable cause to believe that the person committed . . . an
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offense for which a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years or more is prescribed in the
Controlled Substances Act.” 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e)(3)(A).
Once the rebuttable presumption is triggered, it “operate[s] at a minimum to
impose a burden of production on the defendant to offer some credible evidence contrary to the
statutory presumption.” See United States v. Alatishe, 768 F.2d 364, 371 (D.C. Cir. 1985).
“While the burden of production may not be heavy, the applicable cases all speak in terms of a
defendant’s obligation to introduce ‘evidence.’” United States v. Lee, 195 F. Supp. 3d 120, 125
(D.D.C. 2016) (citations omitted). Thus, the defendant cannot offer mere speculation, but must
present “some credible evidence” or basis to find that the presumption has been rebutted in his
case. Alatishe, 768 F.2d at 371; see also United States v. Portes, 786 F.2d 758, 764 (7th Cir.
1985) (finding presumptions in section 3142(e) “are ‘rebutted’ when the defendant meets a
‘burden of production’ by coming forward with some evidence that he will not flee or endanger
the community if released”); United States v. Taylor, 289 F. Supp. 3d 55, 64 (D.D.C. 2018)
(finding the defendant came “forward with sufficient evidence to meet his burden of production,
overcoming but not ‘bursting’ the presumption”).
That said, the burden of persuasion on the issue of detention remains, as always,
with the government. United States v. Mercedes, 254 F.3d 433, 436 (2d Cir. 2001). But even
where the defendant offers evidence to rebut the presumption, the presumption is not erased. It
is “not a ‘bursting bubble’ that becomes devoid of all force once a defendant has met his burden
of production.” Taylor, 289 F. Supp. 3d at 63 (quoting United States v. Jessup, 757 F.2d 378,
382 (1st Cir. 1985)). Rather, even after the defendant meets his burden of production, the
presumption “remains in the case as an evidentiary finding militating against release, to be
weighted along with other evidence relevant to factors listed in § 3142(g).” United States v.
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Dominguez, 783 F.2d 702, 707 (7th Cir. 1986); see also Taylor, 289 F. Supp. 3d at 63 (“[T]he
judicial officer must ‘keep in mind the fact that Congress has found that’ those charged with the
specified offenses are likely to pose a danger to the community.” (quoting Jessup, 757 F.2d at
384)).
III. ANALYSIS
A. Application of the Rebuttable Presumption
Mr. Gage concedes that the rebuttable presumption in favor of pretrial detention
under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e)(3)(A) applies here, but stresses that the evidence proffered by the
United States is consistent with the distribution of low- and high-grade marijuana, not PCP. He
contends that a potential conspiracy involving marijuana diminishes the seriousness of the
offense. In lieu of pretrial detention, Mr. Gage asks for release without specifying any
conditions.
Based on the parties’ proffers and arguments, the Court finds that Mr. Gage has
not rebutted the presumption that he is a danger to the community and a flight risk. As to the
latter, he provided no information as to where he might reside if released and, in fact, noted that
prior to his arrest he lived in his car. The only tie to the community discussed by Mr. Gage was
his former employment with the Department of Public Works, which he hoped to regain if
released.
Mr. Gage has also failed to produce “some credible evidence contrary to the
statutory presumption” of his dangerousness were he to be released. Alatishe, 768 F.2d at 371.
Congress has determined that individuals who have been charged with drug
offenses carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years or more presumptively pose a
danger to the community even if they have not engaged in violence. See United States v. Bess,
678 F. Supp. 929, 934 (D.D.C. 1988) (explaining that the presumption “represents Congress’s
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general factual view about . . . the special risks of danger to the community presented by
defendants who commit the crimes to which it attaches”). The intercepted calls, which formed
the basis for the government’s proffer and the Indictment, indicate that its evidence might
persuade a jury that Mr. Gage was a low- to mid-level PCP dealer in Washington, D.C.
Accordingly, the undersigned finds that Mr. Gage has not rebutted the
presumption that he should be detained before trial.
B. Application of the Section 3142(g) factors
Even had Mr. Gage fully rebutted the presumption in favor of his detention and
the Court were to consider the Bail Reform Act’s four § 3142(g) factors, the conclusion would
be the same: Mr. Gage should be held without bond pending trial. The four factors that must be
considered in making a bond determination are: (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense;
(2) the weight of the evidence against the defendant; (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). Further, where, as here, a
rebuttable presumption applies, it “remains in the case as an evidentiary finding militating
against release, to be weighted along with other evidence relevant to factors listed in § 3142(g),”
even if the defendant has met his or her burden of production of some credible evidence to the
contrary. Dominguez, 783 F.2d at 707; see also Taylor, 289 F. Supp. 3d at 63.
1. Nature and Circumstances of the Charged Offense
The nature and circumstances of the charged offense favor detention. This factor
directs a court to consider “the nature and circumstances of the offense charged” as a general
matter, but notes especially those instances where “the offense is a crime of violence . . . or
involves . . . a controlled substance, firearm, explosive, or destructive device.” 18 U.S.C.
§ 3142(g)(1). Here, a grand jury has found probable cause to believe Mr. Gage engaged in a
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drug trafficking conspiracy of some breadth from November 2015 to September 2017. Mr.
Gage’s charge carries a mandatory minimum of ten years imprisonment and up to life,
demonstrating the seriousness of the offense. Further, the rebuttable presumption of
dangerousness that Congress mandated for such drug offenses reflects its finding that individuals
who commit them pose a substantial threat to the safety of the community were they to be
released. See Bess, 678 F. Supp. at 934. The nature and circumstances of the offense weigh
heavily in favor of detention.
2. The Weight of the Evidence
The weight of the evidence against Mr. Gage is strong and also favors detention.
The government has intercepted numerous phone calls which allegedly detail Mr. Gage’s
involvement in drug trafficking during the course of the investigation. In multiple interactions,
Mr. Gage apparently had enough product to supply a customer with 16 ounces of PCP. While
Mr. Gage argues that the evidence is actually about the distribution of marijuana, and a jury may
credit his defense, the weight of the evidence against him favors detention.
3. The History and Characteristics of Defendant
The history and characteristics of Mr. Gage also favor detention. Section
3142(g)(3) directs the Court to consider: (1) the defendant’s character, physical and mental
condition, family ties, employment, financial resources, length of residence in the community,
community ties, past conduct, history relating to drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and
record concerning appearance at court proceedings; and (2) whether, at the time of the current
offense or arrest, the defendant was on probation, on parole, or on other release pending trial,
sentencing, appeal, or completion of sentence for an offense under federal, state, or local law. 18
U.S.C. § 3142(g)(3)(A)-(B).
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The Court appreciates Mr. Gage’s proffer that if released Mr. Gage would return
to his employment with the Department of Public Works. However, in this context, other
elements of his criminal history outweigh his employability. Mr. Gage has prior convictions and
it appears from the preliminary criminal history calculation that Mr. Gage was on probation
during the alleged conspiracy in this case. This fact undermines his arguments that he would
comply with this Court’s conditions of release.
4. The Danger to the Community
The fourth factor, the danger to the community posed by Mr. Gage were he to be
released, also weighs in favor of detention. The evidence indicates that Mr. Gage may have been
a narcotics distributor with many customers in the D.C. area. “The distribution of large
quantities of narcotics into the community poses a significant danger to communal safety.”
United States v. Holroyd, No. 17-234, 2018 WL 294529, at *3 (D.D.C. Jan. 4, 2018). Further,
the grand jury found probable cause to believe that Mr. Gage engaged in a conspiracy to
distribute 1 kilogram or more of PCP, “a particularly dangerous illegal drug,” Taylor, 289 F.
Supp. 3d at 72, and “a drug that is a serious danger to the community.” United States v. Ware,
No. 09-69, 2009 WL 939632, at *2 (D.D.C. Apr. 7, 2009).
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IV. CONCLUSION
Having considered the evidence and the factors in section 3142(g), the rebuttable
presumption under section 3142(e)(3)(A), and all lesser restrictive alternatives to pretrial
detention, the Court finds by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of
conditions exists that would reasonably assure the safety of any other person or of the
community if Mr. Gage was released and that he would be a flight risk. Therefore, as stated on
the record at the bond hearing on November 15, 2018, Mr. Gage’s motion for bond was
DENIED.
Date: November 28, 2018
ROSEMARY M. COLLYER
United States District Judge
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