Source: http://mi.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20200114_0000127.EMI.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2020-05-29 03:46:48
Document Index: 271147275

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 922', '§ 5841', '§ 922', '§ 922', '§ 922', '§ 922', '§ 921', '§ 924', '§ 922', '§ 922', '§ 762', '§ 762', '§ 762', '§ 762', '§ 922', '§ 922']

JESSE JAMES HAWKINS, Defendant.
OPINION AND ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT'S MOTION IN LIMINE [ECF NO. 51]
On March 20, 2019, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Jesse Hawkins (“Jesse”) and his brother Price Hawkins (collectively Defendants) with firearm offenses. Jesse is charged in two counts of the Indictment: (1) Receipt of a Firearm While Under Indictment in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(n); and (2) Possession of an Unregistered Firearm in violation of 26 U.S.C. §§ 5841, 5861(d) and 5871. The matter is presently before the Court on Jesse's Motion in Limine. (ECF No. 51.)
In his initial motion, Jesse seeks to preclude the Government from referring to his prior criminal charges and status as a “youthful trainee” under Michigan's Holmes Youthful Training Act (“HYTA”). Jesse indicates that he will stipulate that he was assigned this status at the time relevant to Count One of the Indictment-that is, between on or about May 19, 2018, and on or about June 7, 2018.[1] Jesse argues that evidence regarding his prior felony charges and assignment under the HYTA are irrelevant and unduly prejudicial. He therefore maintains that this evidence should be excluded under Federal Rules of Evidence 403 and 404.
The Government argues in response that Jesse's proposed stipulation falls short of establishing that it was illegal for him to receive a firearm during the relevant period and that he did so willfully (that is, he knew of that illegality). The Government therefore contends that excluding evidence of Jesse's prior charges and status under the HYTA inhibits it from proving Jesse's guilt under 18 U.S.C. § 922(n). While making this argument, the Government asserts that Jesse's status as being under multiple HYTA sanctions rendered him “under indictment” for purposes of § 922(n).
The Government's latter assertion appears to have triggered Jesse's counsel to raise a completely new argument in his reply brief. That is, in reply, Jesse seeks dismissal of Count One of the Indictment, charging him with violating § 922(n), on the basis that his status under the HYTA does not meet the definition of being “under indictment” for purposes of the statute. A reply brief generally is not the proper place to raise an argument for the first time. See United States v. Galaviz, 645 F.3d 347, 362 (6th Cir. 2011) (citing United States v. Campbell, 279 F.3d 392, 401 (6th Cir. 2002)). Nevertheless, because the Government raised the issue-and therefore had the opportunity to address it-the Court has decided to consider it.[2]
Section 922(n) reads:
18 U.S.C. § 922. “Indictment” is defined as “an indictment or information in any court under which a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year may be prosecuted.” 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(14). Pursuant to the relevant sentencing provision, 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(1)(D), any violation of § 922(n) must be committed “willfully.” See Dixon v. United States, 548 U.S. 1, 5 & n.3 (2006). To prove willfulness, the prosecution must show that the defendant “acted with knowledge that his conduct was unlawful.” Id. at 5.
As the Government correctly indicates, Jesse's proposed stipulation that he was assigned the status of a youthful trainee under the HYTA during the relevant period does not substitute for the evidence the Government seeks and needs to introduce to prove Jesse's guilt under § 922(n). The stipulation does not prove that Jesse was “under indictment” for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Nor does it prove that Jesse knew that it was unlawful to receive a firearm shipped or transported in interstate commerce while he was a youthful trainee. The Court therefore rejects Jesse's argument at this time that this evidence must be excluded under Federal Rules of Evidence 403 or 404.[3]
With respect to whether Jesse was “under indictment” when he received a firearm during the relevant period, this Court must look to Michigan law. See, e.g., United States v. Hill, 210 F.3d 881, 883 (8th Cir. 2000) (citing United States v. Chapman, 7 F.3d 66, 67-68 (5th Cir. 1993)). Michigan courts describe the HYTA as “essentially a juvenile diversion program for criminal defendants under the age of 21.” People v. Dipiazza, 778 N.W.2d 264, 266 (Mich. Ct. App. 2009). The Sixth Circuit has found the public policy behind the statute “clear: to give youthful offenders a chance to wipe their records clean provided that they do not violate their status as ‘youthful trainees.' ” Adams v. United States, 622 F.3d 608, 611 (2010).
The HYTA allows a court, with certain exceptions, to assign an individual to “youthful trainee” status if the individual pleads guilty to a criminal offense committed between the ages of seventeen and twenty-four.[4] Mich. Comp. Laws § 762.11(1). At that time, a judgment of conviction is not entered. Id. “An assignment of an individual to the status of youthful trainee . . . is not a conviction for a crime ….” Id. § 762.14(2).
Under the statute, a court has the discretion to terminate or revoke an individual's youthful trainee status at any time; however, the court must do so if the individual pleads guilty to or is convicted of certain crimes. See Mich. Comp. Laws § 762.12(1), (2). The statute provides: “Upon termination of consideration or revocation of status as a youthful trainee, the court may enter an adjudication of guilt and proceed as provided by law. If the status of youthful trainee is revoked, an adjudication of guilt is entered, and a sentence is imposed ….” Id. § .12(3) If the individual's youthful trainee status is not terminated or revoked, the court must “discharge the individual and dismiss the proceedings.” Id. § 762.14(1).
The Sixth Circuit has not addressed whether an individual is “under indictment” for purposes of § 922(n) when he or she is a HYTA youthful trainee. Jesse identifies one case in this District where the issue was litigated. See 4/30/19 Hr'g Tr., United States v. Bryant, Criminal Case No. 19-20134 (E.D. Mich. Apr. 30, 2019), ECF No. 27. In that case, the Honorable Bernard A. Friedman denied the defendant's motion to dismiss the § 922(n) charge against him, concluding that the phrase “under indictment” in the statute must be read broadly and includes an individual under HYTA status. Id. at Pg ID 141-44. Judge Friedman's holding is consistent with those of courts in other circuits, considering similar state statutes: United States v. Saiz, 797 F.3d 853 (10th Cir. 2015) (holding that a defendant who receives a conditional discharge under New Mexico law is “under indictment”); United States v. Valentine, 401 F.3d 609 (5th Cir. 2005) (concluding that those subject to a deferred adjudication in Texas are “under indictment”); United States v. Larkin, No. 13-cr-172, 2013 WL 6498068 (N.D. Okla. Dec. 11, 2013) (holding that the defendant, who pleaded guilty and received a deferred sentence under Oklahoma law, was “under indictment”); United States v. Bonds, No. 2:16-cr-00034, 2017 WL 2991804 (N.D.Ga. Mar. 10, 2017) (concluding that a defendant is “under indictment” when he or she pleads guilty under Georgia's First Offender Act and is subject to a deferred sentence); but see United States v. Hill, 210 F.3d 881 (8th Cir. 2000) (concluding that a defendant who has pleaded guilty and received a suspended sentence under Missouri law is not “under indictment”).
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Those courts concluding that deferred adjudication is equivalent to being &ldquo;under indictment&rdquo; reasoned that under the statutes before them, a deferred sentence or adjudication is not considered a conviction or a judgment. See, e.g., Valentine, 401 F.3d at 615. The charge against the defendant remains pending and, if whatever terms and conditions are imposed have been fulfilled, the charge is dismissed without court adjudication of guilt and a conviction. Id. In Hill, in comparison, the Eighth Circuit concluded that a defendant is not under indictment while subject to a suspended sentence under Missouri law. 210 F.3d at 884. The court found that, &ldquo;[u]nder Missouri law, the primary purpose of an indictment or information is to give general notice to the defendant of the charge against him.&rdquo; Id. (quotation ...