Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cr-00488/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cr-00488-2/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Eric Russell Avril
Defendant
USA
Plaintiff

Document Text:

Rev.04/2005

PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

Prob 12C UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

PETITION FOR WARRANT OR SUMMONS FOR

OFFENDER UNDER SUPERVISION

Offender Name: Eric Russell AVRIL

Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

Offender Address: Fair Oaks, California

Judicial Officer: Honorable William B. Shubb

United States District Judge 

Sacramento, California

Original Sentence Date: 09/14/2001 (District of Colorado)

Original Offense: 21 USC 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and 846; 18 USC 2 -

Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession With Intent to

Distribute Methamphetamine (CLASS C FELONY)

Original Sentence: 60 months custody Bureau of Prisons; 3 years

Supervised Release; $100 special assessment

Special Conditions: Participate in a program of testing and treatment for

drug abuse as directed by the probation officer, until

such time as released from the program by the

probation officer; Abstain from the use of alcohol or

other intoxicants during the course of treatment as

directed by the probation officer.

Type of Supervision: Supervised Release

Supervision Commenced: 10/04/2004

Assistant U.S. Attorney: William Wong Telephone: (916) 554-2700

Defense Attorney: Timothy Zindel Telephone: (916) 498-5700

Assistant Federal Defender

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 1 of 13
RE: Eric Russell AVRIL

Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

PETITION FOR WARRANT OR SUMMONS

FOR OFFENDER UNDER SUPERVISION

Rev.04/2005

2 PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

Other Court Action:

11/17/2003: Transfer of Jurisdiction from the District of Colorado

(1:99CR00061-04) to the Eastern District of California

09/15/2004: Prob 12B - Petition to Modify Conditions of Supervision,

adding special condition: Warrantless search; approved

by the Court

08/01/2005: Prob 12B - Petition to Modify Conditions of Supervision,

adding special condition: As directed by the probation

officer, participate in program of mental health

treatment (inpatient or outpatient); approved by the

Court

04/19/2006: Prob 12C - Petition for Warrant or Summons charging

Supervised Release violation (Failure to Abstain from

the Use of Alcohol During the Course of Treatment, and

as Directed by the Probation Officer) taken under

Judicial Notice and Court modifies by adding special

conditions: Alcohol abstinence and not to frequent

places where alcohol is the chief item of sale; Not

participate in gambling or enter any establishment

where gambling occurs; and Comply with the conditions

of home detention for a period of 120 days as directed

by the probation officer, with electronic monitoring and

to pay costs, at discretion of the probation officer; Order

signed by the Court April 25, 2006.

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 2 of 13
RE: Eric Russell AVRIL

Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

PETITION FOR WARRANT OR SUMMONS

FOR OFFENDER UNDER SUPERVISION

Rev.04/2005

3 PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

PETITIONING THE COURT

( X ) OTHER: The probation officer shall provide notice and direct releasee to personally

appear before the Court on Wednesday, October 4, 2006, at 9 a.m., in the United

States District Courthouse, 501 'I' Street, 14th Floor, Courtroom #5, Sacramento,

California, at hearing on a petition to show cause why Supervised Release

heretofore ordered should not be revoked. Counsel for the releasee shall also be

notified of said hearing. Counsel for the releasee shall also be notified of said

hearing.

The probation officer alleges the releasee has violated the following condition(s) of

supervision:

Charge Number Nature of Violation

Charge 1: FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH HOME DETENTION CONDITIONS

A) From July 14, 2006, at 3:16 p.m., thru July 18, 2006, at 4:30 p.m., the releasee was

absent without leave from his approved residence in Rocklin, California;

B) On September 8, 2006, from 3:30 p.m., thru 6:20 p.m., the releasee was absent

without leave from his approved residence in Fair Oaks, California;

C) On September 11, 2006, from 2 p.m., thru 6:30 p.m., the releasee was absent

without leave from his approved job site in the Sacramento area, and his approved

residence in Fair Oaks, California,

in violation of the special condition to comply with the conditions of home detention, as

directed by the probation officer.

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 3 of 13
RE: Eric Russell AVRIL

Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

PETITION FOR WARRANT OR SUMMONS

FOR OFFENDER UNDER SUPERVISION

Rev.04/2005

4 PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

Charge 2: FAILURE TO REPORT FOR DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT

On September 8 and 11, 2006, the releasee failed to report for scheduled drug abuse

treatment counseling appointments with William Yurong, MA, in Sacramento, California,

in violation of Special Condition Number 1.

Charge 3: GAMBLING AND ENTERING A GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENT

A) From July 14 thru 17, 2006, the releasee did frequent and gamble at the Phoenix

Casino, Citrus Heights, California;

B) On September 11, 2006, the releasee did frequent and gamble at the Phoenix

Casino, Citrus Heights, California,

in violation of the special condition to not participate in gambling activities or enter any

gambling establishment.

Charge 4: FAILURE TO ABSTAIN FROM ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

From July 14 thru 16, 2006, the releasee did consume alcoholic beverages at the Phoenix

Casino, Citrus Heights, California, in violation of the special condition to abstain from the

use of alcoholic beverages.

Justification: Mr. Avril was last before the Court on April 19, 2006, for hearing on his

failure to follow the directions of the probation officer prohibiting alcohol use during

treatment, and other related conduct. The Court took Judicial Notice of his non-compliance

and the violation petition was dismissed in favor of modifications: a sanction of 120 days

home detention, which could include electronic monitoring at his own expense, at the

discretion of the probation officer; alcohol abstinence; and not to participate in gambling

activities or enter gambling establishments.

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 4 of 13
RE: Eric Russell AVRIL

Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

PETITION FOR WARRANT OR SUMMONS

FOR OFFENDER UNDER SUPERVISION

Rev.04/2005

5 PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

Home detention commenced at his step-father’s residence in Rocklin, California, on

April 28, 2006, with electronic monitoring implemented on May 10, 2006. Mr. Avril

reviewed the home detention performance contract with the probation officer and signed

the document. His schedule was set for attending work, vocational classes, counseling

sessions, and drug testing, with other verifiable appointments to be approved in advance

by the probation officer, on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Avril agreed to a payment schedule

for the electronic monitoring services.

Mr. Avril continued with substance abuse counseling and mental health treatment,

including the use of prescribed psychotrophic medications to control bi-polar tendencies

and depression, and to curb his alcohol use. He has not expressed any further suicidal

ideation or displayed any suicidal tendencies. He has not used controlled substances, nor

missed any scheduled testing. He reported attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings, but

this now appears doubtful. He remains employed on a full-time basis as an apprentice

electrician for Barnum & Cellilo, Inc., of Sacramento, and he attends vocational classes

twice per week, as paid for by his employer. His supervisor speaks highly of the releasee,

but the company is at the limit with his non-work-related conduct, which has had a negative

impact on his reliability.

Mr. Avril willingly violated his home detention conditions twice, citing he cannot control his

gambling urges, particularly once he starts. When he loses money, his intensity turns to

desperation, then guilt and depression. During the incident in July, alcohol use over the

three day event contributed to his demise. Mr. Avril says he lost about $1,300, his stepfather removed him from his home, and took back the vehicle he was assisting Mr. Avril

to buy for use for approved activities. Mr. Avril was truthful about his misconduct, and he

agreed to comply with the immediate consequences, pending notice to the Court, which

would be based upon his return to compliance.

At his counselor’s recommendation and the directive of this officer, on July 18, 2006,

Mr. Avril arranged residence at a transitional living house in Fair Oaks - Clean & Sober.

His step-father loaned him enough money to pay his first month’s rent, and he provided

him with an old vehicle to use to attend work and counseling. He was removed from

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 5 of 13
RE: Eric Russell AVRIL

Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

PETITION FOR WARRANT OR SUMMONS

FOR OFFENDER UNDER SUPERVISION

Rev.04/2005

6 PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

electronic monitoring and placed on home detention with a limited schedule - his 120 day

term was started over and his counseling was intensified. 

Mr. Avril appeared compliant until September 8, 2006, when he missed a scheduled

counseling session at his residence, and lied to his counselor about his activities. He could

not be reached by this officer, the counselor, or his step-father for the rest of that evening.

He was contacted on the morning of September 9, 2006, and he lied about his

whereabouts and post-work activities of the day prior. He later admitted he had met a

woman and spent the afternoon with her. He denied alcohol or drug use. As to

September 11, 2006, after leaving one job sight en-route to another, he admitted stopping

off at the Phoenix Casino to do some gambling, and did not report for work for the rest of

the day. He lost $380, was broke, and claims he went home in the early evening. He also

missed a second counseling appointment set for that afternoon with Mr. Yurong. He told

his employer that he never made it to work on the afternoon of September 11 or 12, 2006,

falsely stating he had been arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and was in

custody, rationalizing to himself that this was better than admitting he had been gambling.

His employer initially decided, based upon the belief Mr. Avril was pending prosecution for

DUI, to terminate him for cause because of his inability to drive for several months. In fact,

he was not arrested for DUI. Once his employer learned the truth, he was willing to keep

the releasee employed, but on a zero-tolerance basis, pending the decision of this Court.

Mr. Yurong feels he has done all the counseling work he can with Mr. Avril up to this point;

he has terminated services, and feels consequences are in order. Mr. Avril’s step-father

has also reached another limit with Mr. Avril, and his support has been curtailed to a

minimum.

The releasee remains on home detention, only leaving the Clean & Sober residence for

work, class, and probation officer-approved activities. He checks in with the probation

officer at least twice per day from a verifiable location, and is subject to random contacts

at work. He reports to the probation office for substance abuse testing. It appears that

alcohol or drug use was not part of the most recent incident, and all tests have been clean.

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 6 of 13
RE: Eric Russell AVRIL

Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

PETITION FOR WARRANT OR SUMMONS

FOR OFFENDER UNDER SUPERVISION

Rev.04/2005

7 PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

Mr. Avril is not viewed as a risk to the community. However, he continues to participate in

elective activities that ultimately cause harm to himself, negatively impact those closest to

him, and are in violation of his conditions of release.

Bail/Detention: It is respectfully recommended the releasee remain at liberty pending

violation proceedings in this matter. The releasee is not viewed at this time as an imminent

danger to the community, or a flight risk.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

EXECUTED ON: September 18, 2006

Roseville, California

thb:cd

Respectfully submitted,

 /s/ Thomas H. Brown

THOMAS H. BROWN

Senior United States Probation Officer

Telephone: (916) 786-6147

REVIEWED BY: /s/ Richard A. Ertola 

RICHARD A. ERTOLA

Supervising United States Probation Officer

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 7 of 13
RE: Eric Russell AVRIL

Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

PETITION FOR WARRANT OR SUMMONS

FOR OFFENDER UNDER SUPERVISION

Rev.04/2005

8 PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

THE COURT FINDS PROBABLE CAUSE AND ORDERS:

( x ) Other: The probation officer shall provide notice and direct releasee to personally

appear before the Court on Wednesday, October 4, 2006, at 9 a.m., in the United

States District Courthouse, 501 'I' Street, 14th Floor, Courtroom #5, Sacramento,

California, at hearing on a petition to show cause why Supervised Release

heretofore ordered should not be revoked. Counsel for the releasee shall be

noticed of said hearing.

Date: September 20, 2006

cc: United States Probation

William Wong, Assistant United States Attorney

Timothy Zindel, Assistant Federal Defender

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 8 of 13
Rev.04/2005

9 PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE OF ALLEGED 

PROBATION VIOLATIONS

Honorable William B. Shubb

United States District Judge 

Sacramento, California

RE: Eric Russell AVRIL

Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

Your Honor:

In addition to a copy of the Acknowledgment of Conditions of Supervised Release and

Receipt of Criminal Judgment and Judgment and Commitment Order, the following

evidence and/or testimony will be offered to support the probation officer's allegation that

the above-named probationer is in violation of the conditions of supervision as stated on

the attached Prob 12C - Petition for Warrant or Summons for Offender Under Supervision.

Charge 1: FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH HOME DETENTION CONDITIONS

A. Evidence:

(1) Securicor G4S Participant Daily Report for the period July 14,

2006, at 3:16 p.m., to termination of service on July 17, 2006,

showing the releasee was absent without leave from his

approved residence in Rocklin, California

B. Witnesses:

(1) Senior United States Probation Officer Thomas H. Brown will

testify that from July 17 thru 18, 2006, at 4:30 p.m., the

releasee was absent without leave from his approved

residence in Rocklin, California, and that releasee admitted

being AWOL.

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 9 of 13
RE: AVRIL, Eric Russell

Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE

Rev.04/2005

10 PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

(2) Senior United States Probation Officer Thomas H. Brown will

testify that on September 8, 2006, from 3:30 p.m., thru

6:20 p.m., the releasee was absent without leave from his

approved residence in Fair Oaks, California, and that releasee

admitted being AWOL.

(3) Senior United States Probation Officer Thomas H. Brown will

testify that on September 11, 2006, from 2 p.m., thru

6:30 p.m., the releasee was absent without leave from his

approved job site in the Sacramento area, and his approved

residence in Fair Oaks, California, and that releasee admitted

being AWOL.

Charge 2: FAILURE TO REPORT FOR DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT

A. Evidence:

None.

B. Witnesses:

(1) William Yurong, MA, will testify that on September 8 and 11,

2006, the releasee failed to report for scheduled drug abuse

treatment counseling appointments in Sacramento, California.

(2) Senior United States Probation Officer Thomas H. Brown will

testify that the releasee admitted that on September 8 and 11,

2006, he failed to report for scheduled drug abuse treatment

counseling appointments in Sacramento, California.

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 10 of 13
RE: AVRIL, Eric Russell

Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE

Rev.04/2005

11 PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

Charge 3: GAMBLING AND ENTERING A GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENT

A. Evidence:

None.

B. Witnesses:

(1) Senior United States Probation Officer Thomas H. Brown will

testify that the releasee admitted that from July 14 thru 17,

2006, and on September 11, 2006, he did frequent and

gamble at the Phoenix Casino, Citrus Heights, California.

Charge 4: FAILURE TO ABSTAIN FROM ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

A. Evidence:

None.

B: Witnesses:

(1) Senior United States Probation Officer Thomas H. Brown will

testify that the releasee admitted from July 14 thru 16, 2006,

the he did consume alcoholic beverages at the Phoenix

Casino, Citrus Heights, California.

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 11 of 13
Rev.04/2005

12 PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

RE: AVRIL, Eric Russell

Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ Thomas H. Brown 

THOMAS H. BROWN

 Senior United States Probation Officer

DATED: September 20, 2006

Roseville, California

thb:cd

REVIEWED BY: /s/ Richard A. Ertola 

RICHARD A. ERTOLA

Supervising United States Probation Officer

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 12 of 13
Rev.04/2005

13 PROB12C.PROB(NORTHERN).MRG

REVOCATION GUIDE - SUPERVISED RELEASE

Offender Name: Eric Russell AVRIL Docket Number: 2:03CR00488-01

Date of original offense: 01/1998 thru 11/1998

Original term of supervised release imposed: 3 years.

Highest grade of violation alleged: C

Criminal History Category of offender: II

Chapter 7 range of imprisonment: 4 to 10 months.

Maximum term on revocation - 18 USC 3583(e)(3): (choose one below)

 Class A felony - 5 years (or stat max of years if longer).

 Class B felony - 3 years

 X Class C and/or D felony - 2 years

 Class E felony and misdemeanors: 1 year

Violation requires mandatory revocation: YES: NO: X .

Original offense committed after 09/13/94: Court may sentence up to the statutory

maximum term of supervised release applicable to the original offense of conviction, but

not exceed the maximum for the classes of offenses noted above. Court must consider

but is not bound by Chapter 7 ranges. Upon revocation, the court may re-impose

supervised release; however, the term is limited to the statutory maximum authorized

under Title 18 USC 3583(e)(3) for the original offense of conviction, less the term of

imprisonment imposed upon revocation.

MANDATORY REVOCATION ISSUES

Original offense committed after 09/13/94: Title 18 USC 3583 instructs that supervision

shall be revoked upon a finding of: 1) Possession of a controlled substance; 2) Possession

of a firearm; or, 3) Refusal to comply with mandatory drug testing. If the violation involves

the use of a controlled substance, the Court has the discretion to find that "use" constitutes

"possession."

Positive/Failed Drug Tests after 11/02/2002: Title 18 USC 3583(g) amended and

instructs that supervision be revoked for: Testing positive for illegal controlled substances

more than three times over the course of one year.

thb:cd

(09/18/2006)

Case 2:03-cr-00488-WBS Document 9 Filed 09/20/06 Page 13 of 13