UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

United States of America

v. Case No. 05-cr-279-01-JD

David P. Lafond

ORDER OF DETENTION PENDING TRIAL

In accordance with Section 3142(f) of the Bail Reform Act,

18 U.S.C. §§ 3141 et seq., a hearing was conducted on February

13, 2006, for the purpose of determining whether to detain

defendant, David P. Lafond, on the charge of being a felon in

possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). 

Under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(b), a court, in making a

determination regarding detention, must evaluate the risk of the

defendant’s flight, the risk to the safety of any other person,

and the risk to the safety of the community. In circumstances

when detention is not mandated by the court, the court is

nonetheless empowered to impose conditions on release. 18 U.S.C.

§ 3142(c). 

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Pursuant to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g) a court,

in assessing the risks noted in 18 U.S.C. § 3142(b), shall

consider the following: (1) the nature and circumstances of the

offense charged; (2) the weight of the evidence as to guilt; 

(3) the history and characteristics of the accused, including

family ties, past history, financial resources and employment;

and (4) the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person or

the community that would be posed by a release.

During the course of a hearing conducted pursuant to 18

U.S.C. § 3142, the government typically retains the burden of

persuading the court that “‘no condition or combination of

conditions will reasonably assure’ the defendant’s presence at

trial.” United States v. Perez-Franco, 839 F.2d 867, 870 (1st

Cir. 1988)(quoting United States v. Palmer-Contreras, 835 F.2d

15, 17-18 (1st Cir. 1987)); United States v. Patriarca, 948 F.2d

789, 793 (1st Cir. 1991). For its part, the government is

required to offer a preponderance of the evidence to prove risk

of flight. See Patriarca, 948 F.2d at 792-93. 

In the case at hand, the Indictment itself constitutes

probable cause to believe that the offenses charged have been

committed and that the defendant has committed them. 

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Here, I find that the government has met its burden with

regard to danger to the community because the circumstances

surrounding the charged offense demonstrate that the defendant

poses clear danger to the community that cannot be adequately

addressed through any condition or combination of conditions of

release. In particular, the government proffered convincing

evidence of the following: (1) the defendant is guilty of the

charged offense; (2) the defendant was intoxicated and had a

loaded handgun on his person at the time of his arrest; (3) the

defendant vandalized a vehicle and stole its licence plates

immediately prior to his arrest; and (4) the defendant did not

have a legitimate explanation for why he was in possession of the

handgun. 

I am satisfied from the representations and documents

offered during the hearing that no condition or combination of

conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community. 

Upon full consideration of the arguments offered by the

government and the defense, I am satisfied that the defendant

poses a danger to the community. 

Accordingly, it is ORDERED that the defendant be detained

pending trial. 

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The defendant is committed to the custody of the Attorney

General or his designated representative for confinement in a

corrections facility separate, to the extent practicable, from

persons awaiting or serving sentences or being held in custody

pending appeal. The defendant shall be afforded a reasonable

opportunity for private consultation with defense counsel. 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 shall deliver the defendant to the United

States Marshal for the purpose of an appearance in connection

with a court proceeding.

SO ORDERED.

/s/Paul Barbadoro 

Paul Barbadoro

United States District Judge

February 13, 2006

cc: Thomas McCue, Esq.

Clyde Garrigan, AUSA

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