Court Opinion

ID: 9925800
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-01-23 01:00:38.99055+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:21:36.197806
License: Public Domain

Case: 23-50910        Document: 00517039881             Page: 1      Date Filed: 01/22/2024

             United States Court of Appeals
                  for the Fifth Circuit
                                     ____________
                                                                               United States Court of Appeals
                                                                                        Fifth Circuit
                                      No. 23-50910
                                    Summary Calendar                                  FILED
                                    ____________                               January 22, 2024
                                                                                 Lyle W. Cayce
   United States of America,                                                          Clerk

                                                                      Plaintiff—Appellee,

                                            versus

   Bradley Fariss Pieper,

                                              Defendant—Appellant.
                     ______________________________

                     Appeal from the United States District Court
                          for the Western District of Texas
                              USDC No. 3:23-CR-1926-1
                     ______________________________

   Before Elrod, Oldham, and Wilson, Circuit Judges.
   Per Curiam: *
         Bradley Fariss Pieper was charged with using interstate commerce to
   induce or coerce or attempt to induce or coerce a minor to engage in sexual
   activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). He appeals an order by the
   district court affirming the magistrate judge’s order of detention and
   requiring him to remain detained pending trial.

         _____________________
         *
             This opinion is not designated for publication. See 5th Cir. R. 47.5.
Case: 23-50910     Document: 00517039881           Page: 2   Date Filed: 01/22/2024

                                    No. 23-50910

          Pieper contends that the district court failed to consider the relevant
   factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g) in finding that his appearance at trial and
   the safety of the community could not have been reasonably assured by
   conditions of pretrial release. He specifically argues that he rebutted the
   presumption against release that applies where probable cause supports that
   the defendant violated § 2422(b), see § 3142(e)(3)(E), by providing evidence
   of his personal history and characteristics to show that he is not a danger to
   the community. That evidence included his lack of criminal history, United
   States citizenship, and family ties in New Mexico, where he can reside with
   his parents.
          We apply a deferential standard of review that “equate[s] to the
   abuse-of-discretion standard” when considering a district court’s pretrial
   detention order. See United States v. Rueben, 974 F.2d 580, 586 (5th Cir.
   1992); United States v. Hare, 873 F.2d 796, 798 (5th Cir. 1989). Even if
   evidence is produced to rebut the presumption against release under
   § 3142(e)(3), the presumption still “may be weighed in the evidentiary
   balance.” Hare, 873 F.2d at 799. Reviewing the record as a whole, we
   conclude that Pieper is not entitled to relief. The district court’s order is
   supported by at least three of the four § 3142(g) factors: the nature and
   circumstances of the offense charged, the weight of the evidence against him,
   and the seriousness of the danger to any person or the community that would
   be posed by his release. Thus, we find no abuse of discretion by the district
   court in ordering Pieper detained pending trial. See Rueben, 974 F.2d at 586;
   Hare, 873 F.2d at 798.
          The order of detention pending trial is AFFIRMED.

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