Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-cr-00249/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-cr-00249-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Keith Romelle Fields
Defendant
USA
Plaintiff

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

USA,

Plaintiff,

v.

KEITH ROMELLE FIELDS,

Defendant.

Case No. 15-cr-00249-SI-1 (JSC)

DETENTION ORDER

On May 5, 2015, defendant Keith Romelle Fields was charged by federal indictment with 

two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). The 

government has since dismissed Count One, and is proceeding with prosecution of Count Two. 

This matter initially came before the Court on May 19, 2015, for a detention hearing. 

Defendant Fields was present and represented by Gabriela Bischof, Assistant Federal Public 

Defender. Assistant United States Attorney Rita Lin appeared for the government. Counsel for 

Defendant requested that the detention hearing be continued until Defendant could be interviewed 

for a residential drug treatment program. The Court granted that request and continued the 

hearing.

On June 9, 2015, the detention hearing was held. Defendant was present and represented 

by AFPD Bischof, and AUSA Lin appeared for the government. Pretrial Services Officer Brad 

Wilson appeared as well. Officer Wilson reported that Defendant had been interviewed for the 

Newbridge residential drug treatment program, and that Newbridge found that Defendant would 

be a proper candidate for its program, if the Court were to release him. 

Pretrial Services nonetheless recommended that Defendant be detained, citing, among 

other things, Defendant’s lengthy criminal history, which includes a robbery conviction, a felon in 

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possession of a firearm conviction, and convictions for drug sales, as well as the lack of any 

appropriate surety. The government moved for detention, and Defendant opposed. Proffers and 

arguments regarding detention were submitted by the parties at the hearing.

Upon consideration of the facts, proffers and arguments presented, and for the reasons 

stated on the record, the Court finds by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or 

combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of other persons and the community

and the appearance of Defendant as required. Accordingly, Defendant will be detained pending 

trial in this matter.

The present order supplements the Court’s findings and order at the detention hearing and 

serves as written findings of fact and a statement of reasons as required by 18 U.S.C. § 3142(i)(1). 

As noted on the record, the Court makes the following findings as a basis for its conclusion that no 

condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of other persons and the 

community and the appearance of Defendant as required:

Defendant has a lengthy criminal history, going back 25 years, which includes ten felony 

convictions. Among other crimes, those convictions include a conviction for robbery, two 

convictions for sale or transport of drugs, and a conviction for firearms possession. Defendant’s 

criminal conduct has continued in recent years. In 2012, Defendant was convicted of sale and

transport of heroin. In this case Defendant is charged with having 19 bindles of heroin, each of 

approximately 3 grams, found in Defendant’s hotel room. At the time, Defendant was on 

probation for both his 2012 conviction for sale and transport of heroin and another 2013 

conviction for receipt of stolen property.

Moreover, Defendant’s activities continued after Defendant had previously been given an 

opportunity for residential drug treatment. Defendant enrolled in Walden House’s residential drug 

treatment program for nine months. He was terminated from the program after Walden House 

concluded that he had smoked Spice, in violation of the rules of the program, and he thereafter 

engaged in the conduct that was the basis of his 2012 conviction for sale and transport of heroin

and his 2013 conviction for receipt of stolen property. 

In addition, Defendant has been unable to identify an appropriate surety. His sole 

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proposed surety is his girlfriend of 30 years. According to the defense’s own proffer, she was 

involved with him throughout the time period during which he committed the felonies detailed 

above. In addition, she has herself been arrested, though not convicted, of drug possession on two 

occasions. 

The Court therefore concludes that no condition or combination of conditions will 

reasonably assure the safety of other persons and the community and the appearance of the 

defendant as required. These findings are made without prejudice to the defendant’s right to seek 

review of his detention should new information arise.

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3142(i), IT IS ORDERED THAT:

1. Defendant Fields be, and hereby is, committed to the custody of the Attorney 

General for confinement in a corrections facility separate, to the extent practicable, from persons 

awaiting or serving sentences or being held in custody pending appeal;

2. Defendant be afforded reasonable opportunity for private consultation with 

counsel; and 

3. On order of a court of the United States or on request of an attorney for the 

government, the person in charge of the corrections facility in which the defendant is confined 

shall deliver the defendant to an authorized United States marshal for the purpose of any 

appearance in connection with a court proceeding. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 12, 2015

________________________

JACQUELINE SCOTT CORLEY

United States Magistrate Judge

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