Opinion ID: 2979392
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Intentional, Tactical Delay

Text: Nor has Thomas attempted to show that the pre-indictment delay was an intentional, tactical maneuver on the government’s part. This court “neither imputes nor presumes an improper purpose,” instead requiring the defendant “to demonstrate that the Government had no valid reason for the delay.” Schaffer, 586 F.3d at 426 (internal quotation marks omitted) (holding that a five-year delay was constitutionally permissible). “[I]nvestigative delay” is a valid reason for delay. United States v. Lovasco, 431 U.S. 783, 795 (1977). Even when the government cites its own court filings rather than offering “sworn testimony on the investigative reasons for the delay,” we may accept the government’s representations about the reason for delay. Rogers, 118 F.3d at 476. Thomas asks us to “infer” intent, noting that, “[a]t minimum, the delay was reckless” because the government had gathered all evidence relevant to the indictment by early 2006. Appellant Br. at 17. The government, however, has proffered valid reasons for delay that relate to the ongoing investigation. For example, at Thomas’s instigation, the government explored the possibility of pretrial diversion. Next, it produced evidence in hopes of convincing Thomas to accept a preindictment plea agreement. Finally, it secured Dumas’s cooperation and spent several months corroborating his story. Thomas has not explained why these reasons are improper. Because Thomas has shown neither prejudice nor the government’s intent tactically to delay, the pre-indictment delay here did not violate the Fifth Amendment. 7 No. 09-1557 United States v. Thomas