Opinion ID: 149122
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The History and Characteristics of the Defendants

Text: While the district court did not make findings as to the dangerousness of the defendants, the court did make findings as to defendants' individual histories and characteristics. While only Piatek and Meeks have prior criminal histories, courts have never required a prior criminal record before ordering detention. See Rodriguez, 950 F.2d at 89 (Although a prior record of violence eases the government's burden of showing dangerousness, it is not essential.).
The district court made the following factual findings about this defendant: David Stone is 45-years-old, and is married to co-Defendant Tina Stone. He is the father of four adult children. David Stone worked at Performance Engineering in Adrian, Michigan from July 2007 until July 2008. In 2008, he worked for a few months at Iott Farms in Petersburg, Michigan. He currently works as a Forklift Driver for Demlow Products in Clayton, Michigan. He does not have any physical or mental health problems. He does not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs. The results of his drug test were negative. David Stone has no criminal history. (Dist. Ct. Op. at 25). Thus, this factor weighs slightly against dangerousness.
The district court made the following factual findings about this defendant: Joshua Stone is 21-years-old, and is married to Shannon Stone (Shannon had some involvement in the Hutaree). Shannon indicated that Joshua Stone helped her graduate from high school, and she wants to help Joshua Stone get his GED. Shannon also wants to help Joshua Stone get out of the militia mess. Joshua Stone has seasonal employment. Joshua Stone does not have any physical or mental health problems. He does not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs. He has no criminal history. (Dist. Ct. Op. at 26). Thus, this factor weighs slightly against dangerousness.
The district court made the following factual findings about this defendant: Meeks is a 40-year-old single man. He does not have children. Meeks attended Washtenaw Community College, earning a paramedic certification. Meeks was in the United States Marines from 1988-1992, including combat service in Desert Storm. Before he was discharged from active duty, he earned a Rifle Expert Badge, a Certificate of Appreciation, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one star, a National Defense Service Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Southwest Asia Service Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, a Meritorious Mast, and a Kuwait Liberation Medal. Meeks works as a truck driver for Interactive Metals in Adrian, Michigan (his driving is confined to a two-hour radius around the City of Adrian). Meeks' employer, Matthew Anderson, describes Meeks as a valuable part of our business team, and dedicated, hard-working and very loyal as an employee. According to Mr. Anderson, It would be a great disappointment for us to lose [Meeks]. At the bond review hearing, the Government stated that David Stone allegedly asked Meeks to obtain metal pieces for IEDs. However, no evidence was presented that Meeks actually obtained metal from his employer. Meeks' mother, Sylvia Meeks, testified at the bond review hearing and indicated that Meeks uses her address for mail, instead of listing his address with the United States Postal Service, because it is more convenient for Meeks to get his mail when he visits his parents. Although Meeks has not lived at the address listed on his driver's license for over five years, Meeks says he provided the agents his current address when he was arrested on these charges. Meeks proffered a newspaper article that says he helped search for two missing citizens with the Bridgewater Township Officers. Meeks does not have any physical or mental problems. He does not use drugs, but his mother believes he drinks alcohol to excess. Meeks has a misdemeanor conviction from 1997 for drunk driving. (Dist. Ct. Op. at 27-28). Thus, this factor weighs slightly against dangerousness.
The district court made the following factual findings about this defendant: Piatek is a 47-year-old single man. He has a 25-year-old daughter and two grand daughters, whom he helps support. Piatek has worked as a truck driver for Meyer Industrial Container in Chicago, Illinois for 17 years. Piatek is the primary caregiver for his special needs brother, participates in the Fourth of July parade, and is an associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police. People describe Piatek as a down-to-earth person, someone who would help anybody, someone who does not engage in aggressive behavior or any kind of violence, someone who goes to work every day, and someone who would probably be the first one to render aid [if there was somebody hurt]. Piatek does not have any physical or mental health problems. He does not use drugs or drink alcohol. His urinalysis results were negative. In 1990, Piatek was charged with Aggravated Assault and Driving on a Median. Piatek successfully completed one year of supervision, and the case was dismissed. (Dist. Ct. Op. at 28-29). Also before the court, but not mentioned in its opinion, is the government's evidence that Piatek's former girl-friend made a police report on February 26, 2010, indicating that she was afraid of him because he had recently taken a gun from behind the driver's seat of his vehicle and said, while in the process of loading the weapon, If you ever break up with me ... I'll pop you. Additionally, in early March, upon learning that she was pregnant with his child, Piatek said that she would never see her 20-year-old son get married if she went through with the pregnancy. (Gov't Letter Br. at 8-9.) Thus, this factor weighs in favor of dangerousness.
The district court made the following factual findings about this defendant: Clough is a 28-year-old single man who lives with his parents. Clough was a self-employed videographer for nine years before he became a security guard at a shopping mall in Adrian, Michigan (he may no longer have this job due to his arrest on these charges). Clough does not have any physical or mental health problems. He does not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs. Clough has no criminal history. (Dist. Ct. Op. at 27). Thus, this factor weighs slightly against dangerousness.