Opinion ID: 468543
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Detention Hearing Before the Magistrate

Text: 11 In the hearing before the magistrate in No. 85-253M the United States produced the complaint charging Perry with a violation of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1) (1982) and 21 U.S.C. Sec. 846 (1982). Appearing with counsel, Perry waived the reading of the complaint and pleaded not guilty. At that point the government moved for pretrial detention, asserting that Perry was a danger to the community. Perry's counsel asked that co-defendant Moore be produced, representing that he would exculpate Perry on the charge in the complaint. Informed by the magistrate that he could have Moore subpoenaed at Perry's expense, counsel declined to do so for reasons of expense. 12 The United States then produced Joseph Rotter, a special agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration who investigated the activities of Perry and Moore in the summer and fall of 1985. Rotter testified that he worked with Special Agent Daniel Williams in an undercover investigation, and that on August 29, 1985 Moore sold heroin to Williams. Perry's counsel objected to Rotter's testimony arguing, read generously, that his testimony was hearsay and that it offended the confrontation clause. Again counsel was advised of his opportunity to call, at his client's expense, any witness he desired. Rotter testified that on September 10 Williams paid Moore $2,300 in advance for a one-quarter ounce of heroin. Moore was followed from the site of the September 10 meeting to a dairy store, where he met Perry. After meeting Perry, Moore left the dairy store and using a coin operated telephone called a confidential informant to tell him that the $2,300 was paid and that the package would be delivered in an hour. At 8:55 P.M. Moore delivered to Williams a package the contents of which, when testified at a Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory, proved to be heroin. Rotter testified that similar transactions took place on October 15 and November 20, 1985, in which Williams paid Moore, Moore met Perry, and Moore shortly thereafter delivered heroin to Williams. 13 Rotter testified that after the November 20, 1985 transaction both Moore and Perry were arrested. A search, pursuant to a valid warrant, of Perry's residence produced $2,500 in currency that was identified by serial number to be part of the money used by Agent Williams to make the November 20 purchase. The balance, Rotter testified, was found on Moore's person when he was searched incident to his arrest. 14 Rotter also testified that he learned from Officer Benny Sledge that on July 18, 1985 the City of Pittsburgh Police Department conducted an investigation, arrested Perry, and searched his home, wherein cocaine, valium, and percodan were found. Perry's counsel objected on hearsay grounds, and asked the court to order the government to produce Office Sledge. He was informed that the court would not order the government to produce Officer Sledge, but that Perry was free to subpoena him. As he had with Moore and Williams, defendant declined to make the expenditure. Over a hearsay objection Rotter testified that the drugs seized by the Pittsburgh Police Department were sent to the Allegheny Crime Lab and tested positive for cocaine and percodan. 15 Finally, Rotter testified, again over a hearsay objection, that an assistant state attorney in Waukegan, Illinois, informed him that Perry had pled guilty in Illinois to possession of a firearm, was placed on probation or court-ordered supervision until September of 1986, and was in violation of the conditions of his probation. 16 Perry's counsel stipulated that a Pennsylvania state charge was pending with respect to the July 18, 1985 arrest. He cross-examined Rotter at some length. In the course of that examination Rotter conceded that he had no evidence suggesting that Perry would flee if released on bond. Counsel asked and Rotter responded: 17 Q. What facts do you have that Mr. Perry is dangerous to the community? 18 A. Based on his July 1984 arrest in Illinois, based on the July 18 search and investigation by the City of Pittsburgh police, and based on the November 20 arrest involving the activities of Howard Perry from August 29 up until that time, it is my belief he shows a pattern of continuing criminal activity. 19 Transcript before magistrate in No. 85-253M at 43. Rotter had no evidence that Perry ever struck or threatened another person. 20 The court called the Pretrial Services Coordinator of the United States Probation Office, who testified concerning Perry's record, family status, and property. This witness confirmed that Perry had received two years probation for the Illinois gun possession charge, which did not involve any threats of violence. 21 The United States presented no other evidence. Perry's counsel indicated he would like to examine other witnesses, but represented that he had not made and would not make any effort to subpoena them. He claimed not to have the necessary witness fees, but he filed no affidavit of indigency. 22 The magistrate found probable cause to believe Perry committed the offenses charged, that he was presently on bail from the state court on narcotics charges, and that he failed to rebut the presumption in the Bail Reform Act of his danger to the community. Thus bail was denied. 23 The Bail Reform Act authorizes a judicial officer to order detention upon a finding that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure ... the safety of ... the community.... 18 U.S.C.A. Sec. 3142(e) (West 1985). 24 Subject to rebuttal ... it shall be presumed that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure ... the safety of the community if the judicial officer finds that there is probable cause to believe that the person committed an offense for which a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years or more is prescribed in the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. Sec. 801 et seq.).... 25 Id. At a detention hearing the defendant shall be afforded the opportunity to testify, to present witnesses on his own behalf, to cross-examine witnesses who appear at the hearing, and to present information by proffer or otherwise. 18 U.S.C.A. Sec. 3142(f) (West 1985). While the judicial officer must, in order to detain, find by clear and convincing evidence that no conditions or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of ... the community, that finding need not rest upon evidence that would be admissible in a criminal trial. Id. The Act lists the information that the judicial officer may take into account in determining whether any conditions of release will reasonably assure the safety of the community. 3 26 Clearly the hearing before the magistrate satisfied the requirements of the Bail Reform Act. Perry had counsel, and counsel had a full opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses who testified. Perry was also afforded the opportunity, although he did not avail himself of it, to call witness in his own behalf. Perry's counsel objected that some of the evidence presented by the government was hearsay. The statute, however, explicitly permits use of evidence that would not be admissible in a criminal trial. 18 U.S.C.A. Sec. 3142(f) (West 1985). See also United States v. Delker, 757 F.2d 1390, 1397 (3d Cir.1985) (holding that hearsay was admissible in a pretrial detention hearing). The testimony of Special Agent Rotter established probable cause to believe that Perry had engaged in concerted activity for the distribution of heroin. Thus the magistrate was correct in finding that the statutory presumption of danger to the community was triggered. The United States presented evidence respecting Perry's history and characteristics, including his family ties, past conduct, criminal history, and parole status at the time of the current offense. Perry presented no evidence. Thus the magistrate did not err in concluding that Perry did not overcome the presumption. 4