IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON 

PORTLAND DIVISION 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

v. 

DEMETREAS ANTONIO WATIER, 

Defendant. 

MOSMAN,J., 

No. 3: 16-cr-00026-MO-1 

OPINION AND ORDER 

This case comes before me on Defendant Demetreas Antonio Watier's Motion to Reduce 

Sentence [ECF 83]. Specifically, Mr. Watier moves the comi for compassionate release pursuant 

to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(l)(A)(i). Br. in Support [ECF 99]. In a minute order, I DENIED Mr. 

Watier's motion. [ECF 107]. I write further here to explain why. 

DISCUSSION 

Compassionate release is a statutory exception to the rule that a court may not modify a 

term of imprisonment once it has been imposed. 18 U.S.C. § 3582( c ). Upon a proper motion, the 

court may reduce a term of imprisonment if, after considering applicable factors set forth in 

§ 3553(a), the court finds that "extraordinary and compelling reasons warrant such a reduction" 

and the reduction is "consistent with applicable policy statements issued by the Sentencing 

Commission." 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(l)(A). A defendant must exhaust administrative remedies 

1 - OPINION AND ORDER 

Case 3:16-cr-00026-MO Document 110 Filed 01/21/21 Page 1 of 3
before moving the court for compassionate release. Id. The Government concedes that Mr. 

Watier has exhausted his administrative remedies. Resp. [ECF 104] at 3. 

Mr. Watier suffers from obesity and claims to have a histo1y of breathing issues. The 

Govermnent concedes that Mr. Watier "has some conditions that qualify as extraordinaiy and 

compelling." Id. at 4. I agree. 

However, I must also consider applicable factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) to determine 

whether a sentence reduction is waiTanted. Among other considerations, I must consider the need 

for the sentence "to promote respect for the law," "to provide just punishment for the offense," 

and "to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant." 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(2)(A)-(C). 

Mr. Watier is serving a 175-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute controlled 

substances. J. & Commitment [ECF 63] at 1-2. He is incarcerated at Sheridan FCI and is not set 

to be released until Januaiy 27, 2029. He was sentenced in 2016 after entering into a plea 

agreement, in which he agreed that he is a career offender, Plea Agreement [ECF 44] ~ 6, and 

stipulated that "a firearm was present and connected with [his] drug distribution conspiracy," id. 

~ 1 0(A). In his cmTent briefing, Mr. Watier admits that the facts that led to his guilty plea are 

"undeniably serious," Reply [ECF 106] at 9, and he acknowledges that he has taken 

responsibility for three handguns found during the execution of search warrants, id. at 10. 

Although it appears he has made great strides since his conviction, and should be commended for 

doing so, Mr. Watier has yet to serve even half his sentence. Considering the nature of the crime 

and the low percentage of time served, I find the applicable factors set f01ih in§ 3553(a) to 

weigh heavily against granting Mr. Watier' s request for compassionate release. 

II 

II 

2 - OPINION AND ORDER 

Case 3:16-cr-00026-MO Document 110 Filed 01/21/21 Page 2 of 3
CONCLUSION 

For the foregoing reasons, I DENY Mr. Watier's Motion to Reduce Sentence [ECF 83]. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED day of January, 2021. 

3 - OPINION AND ORDER 

Case 3:16-cr-00026-MO Document 110 Filed 01/21/21 Page 3 of 3