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United States v. Benjamin

United States District Court Central District of California
Jul 26, 2012
Docket No. CR10-00923(A)-SJO (C.D. Cal. Jul. 26, 2012)

Opinion

Docket No. CR10-00923(A)-SJO Social Security No. 9495

07-26-2012

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. BENJAMIN, Melvin Defendant

Stephanie Ames (Appointed) (Name of Counsel)


Melvin Lamarr Benjamin (true name); Melvin
akas: Lamar Benjamin; "Duck" - moniker

(Last 4 digits)


JUDGMENT AND PROBATION/COMMITMENT ORDER

In the presence of the attorney for the government, the defendant appeared in person on this date 07/26/12.

COUNSEL Stephanie Ames (Appointed) (Name of Counsel)

PLEA [×] GUILTY, and the court being satisfied that there is a factual basis for the plea. [ ] NOLO CONTENDERE [ ] NOT GUILTY

FINDING There being a finding/verdict of GUILTY, defendant has been convicted as charged of the offense(s) of: 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d): Conspiracy to Engage in Racketeering Activity as charged in count one of the First Superseding Indictment. 21 U.S.C. §§846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B): Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute Cocaine as charged in count ten of the First Superseding Indictment

JUDGMENT AND PROB/ COMM ORDER The Court asked whether there was any reason why judgment should not be pronounced. Because no sufficient cause to the contrary was shown, or appeared to the Court, the Court adjudged the defendant guilty as charged and convicted and ordered that: Pursuant to the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, it is the judgment of the Court that the defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a term of:

It is ordered that the defendant shall pay to the United States a special assessment of $200, which is due immediately. Any unpaid balance shall be due during the period of imprisonment, at the rate of not less than $25 per quarter, and pursuant to the Bureau of Prisons' Inmate Financial Responsibility Program.

All fines are waived as it is found that such sanction would place an undue burden on the defendant's dependents.

Pursuant to the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, it is the judgment of the Court that the defendant, Melvin Benjamin, is hereby committed on Counts 1 and 10 of the First Superseding Indictment to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for a term of 60 months. This term consists of 60 months on each of Counts 1 and 10 of the First Superseding Indictment, to be served concurrently.

Upon release from imprisonment, the defendant shall be placed on supervised release for a term of 5 years. This term consists of 3 years on Count 1, and 5 years on Count 10 of the First Superseding Indictment, all such terms to run concurrently under the following terms and conditions:

1. The defendant shall comply with the rules and regulations of the U. S. Probation Office and General Order 05-02;
2. During the period of community supervision the defendant shall pay the special assessment in accordance with this judgment's orders pertaining to such payment;
3. The defendant shall not commit any violation of local, state or federal law or ordinance.
4. The defendant shall refrain from any unlawful use of a controlled substance. The defendant shall submit to one drug test within 15 days of release from imprisonment and at least two periodic drug tests thereafter, not to exceed eight tests per month, as directed by the Probation Officer;
5. The defendant shall participate in an outpatient substance abuse treatment and counseling program that includes urinalysis, breath, and/or sweat patch testing, as directed by the Probation Officer. The defendant shall abstain from using illicit drugs and alcohol, and abusing prescription medications during the period of supervision;
6. During the course of supervision, the Probation Officer, with the agreement of the defendant and defense counsel, may place the defendant in a residential drug treatment program approved by the United States Probation Office for treatment of narcotic addiction or drug dependency, which may include counseling and testing, to determine if the defendant has reverted to the use of drugs, and the defendant shall reside in the treatment program until discharged by the Program Director and Probation Officer;
7. As directed by the Probation Officer, the defendant shall pay all or part of the costs of treating the defendant's drug and alcohol dependency to the aftercare contractor during the period of community supervision, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3672;
8. The Court authorizes the Probation Office to disclose the Presentence Report to the substance abuse treatment provider to facilitate the defendant's treatment for narcotic addiction or drug dependency. Further redisclosure of the Presentence Report by the treatment provider is prohibited without the consent of the sentencing judge;
9. The defendant may not associate with anyone known to him to be a Pueblo Bishops Bloods gang member and others known to him to be participants in the Pueblo Bishops Bloods gang's criminal activities, with the exception of his family members. He may not wear, display, use or possess any gang insignias, emblems, badges, buttons, caps, hats, jackets, shoes, or any other clothing that defendant knows evidence affiliation with the Pueblo Bishops Bloods gang;
10. The defendant shall cooperate in the collection of a DNA sample from the defendant.
11. Defendant shall not reside in the Pueblo Del Rio Housing Projects during the course of supervised release.

The Court advises the defendant of his right to appeal.

The recommends that the defendant shall participate in the Bureau of Prison's 500 hour drug treatment program.

The Court grants the government's request to dismiss any remaining counts as to this defendant.

In addition to the special conditions of supervision imposed above, it is hereby ordered that the Standard Conditions of Probation and Supervised Release within this judgment be imposed. The Court may change the conditions of supervision, reduce or extend the period of supervision, and at any time during the supervision period or within the maximum period permitted by law, may issue a warrant and revoke supervision for a violation occurring during the supervision period.

S. James Otero

U. S. District Judge/Magistrate Judge

It is ordered that the Clerk deliver a copy of this Judgment and Probation/Commitment Order to the U.S. Marshal or other qualified officer.

Clerk, U.S. District Court

By Victor Paul Cr

Deputy Clerk

The defendant shall comply with the standard conditions that have been adopted by this court (set forth below).

STANDARD CONDITIONS OF PROBATION AND SUPERVISED RELEASE


While the defendant is on probation or supervised release pursuant to this judgment:

1. The defendant shall not commit another Federal, state or local crime;

2. the defendant shall not leave the judicial district without the written permission of the court or probation officer;

3. the defendant shall report to the probation officer as directed by the court or probation officer and shall submit a truthful and complete written report within the first five days of each month;

4. the defendant shall answer truthfully all inquiries by the probation officer and follow the instructions of the probation officer;

5. the defendant shall support his or her dependents and meet other family responsibilities;

6. the defendant shall work regularly at a lawful occupation unless excused by the probation officer for schooling, training, or other acceptable reasons;

7. the defendant shall notify the probation officer at least 10 days prior to any change in residence or employment;

8. the defendant shall refrain from excessive use of alcohol and shall not purchase, possess, use, distribute, or administer any narcotic or other controlled substance, or any paraphernalia related to such substances, except as prescribed by a physician;

9. the defendant shall not frequent places where controlled substances are illegally sold, used, distributed or administered;

10. the defendant shall not associate with any persons engaged in criminal activity, and shall not associate with any person convicted of a felony unless granted permission to do so by the probation officer;

11. the defendant shall permit a probation officer to visit him or her at any time at home or elsewhere and shall permit confiscation of any contraband observed in plain view by the probation officer;

12. the defendant shall notify the probation officer within 72 hours of being arrested or questioned by a law enforcement officer;

13. the defendant shall not enter into any agreement to act as an informer or a special agent of a law enforcement agency without the permission of the court;

14. as directed by the probation officer, the defendant shall notify third parties of risks that may be occasioned by the defendant's criminal record or personal history or characteristics, and shall permit the probation officer to make such notifications and to conform the defendant's compliance with such notification requirement;

15. the defendant shall, upon release from any period of custody, report to the probation officer within 72 hours;

16. and, for felony cases only: not possess a firearm, destructive device, or any other dangerous weapon.

[ ] The defendant will also comply with the following special conditions pursuant to General Order 01-05 (set forth below).

STATUTORY PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO PAYMENT AND COLLECTION OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS

The defendant shall pay interest on a fine or restitution of more than $2,500, unless the court waives interest or unless the fine or restitution is paid in full before the fifteenth (15th) day after the date of the judgment pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §3612(f)(1). Payments may be subject to penalties for default and delinquency pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §3612(g). Interest and penalties pertaining to restitution, however, are not applicable for offenses completed prior to April 24, 1996.

If all or any portion of a fine or restitution ordered remains unpaid after the termination of supervision, the defendant shall pay the balance as directed by the United States Attorney's Office. 18 U.S.C. §3613.

The defendant shall notify the United States Attorney within thirty (30) days of any change in the defendant's mailing address or residence until all fines, restitution, costs, and special assessments are paid in full. 18 U.S.C. §3612(b)(1)(F).

The defendant shall notify the Court through the Probation Office, and notify the United States Attorney of any material change in the defendant's economic circumstances that might affect the defendant's ability to pay a fine or restitution, as required by 18 U.S.C. §3664(k). The Court may also accept such notification from the government or the victim, and may, on its own motion or that of a party or the victim, adjust the manner of payment of a fine or restitution-pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §3664(k). See also 18 U.S.C. §3572(d)(3) and for probation 18 U.S.C. §3563(a)(7).

Payments shall be applied in the following order:

1. Special assessments pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §3013;
2. Restitution, in this sequence:
Private victims (individual and corporate),
Providers of compensation to private victims,
The United States as victim;
3. Fine;
4. Community restitution, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §3663(c); and
5. Other penalties and costs.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR PROBATION AND SUPERVISED RELEASE

As directed by the Probation Officer, the defendant shall provide to the Probation Officer: (1) a signed release authorizing credit report inquiries; (2) federal and state income tax returns or a signed release authorizing their disclosure; and (3) an accurate financial statement, with supporting documentation as to all assets, income and expenses of the defendant. In addition, the defendant shall not apply for any loan or open any line of credit without prior approval of the Probation Officer.

The defendant shall maintain one personal checking account. All of defendant's income, "monetary gains," or other pecuniary proceeds shall be deposited into this account, which shall be used for payment of all personal expenses. Records of all other bank accounts, including any business accounts, shall be disclosed to the Probation Officer upon request.

The defendant shall not transfer, sell, give away, or otherwise convey any asset with a fair market value in excess of $500 without approval of the Probation Officer until all financial obligations imposed by the Court have been satisfied in full.

These conditions are in addition to any other conditions imposed by this judgment.

RETURN

I have executed the within Judgment and Commitment as follows:

Defendant delivered on _______________ to _______________

Defendant noted on appeal on _______________

Defendant released on _______________

Mandate issued on _______________

Defendant's appeal determined on _______________

Defendant delivered on _______________ to _______________ at _______________ the institution designated by the Bureau of Prisons, with a certified copy of the within Judgment and Commitment.

United States Marshal

By ____

Deputy Marshal

CERTIFICATE

I hereby attest and certify this date that the foregoing document is a full, true and correct copy of the original on file in my office, and in my legal custody.

Clerk, U.S. District Court

By ________

____

Deputy Clerk

FOR U.S. PROBATION OFFICE USE ONLY

Upon a finding of violation of probation or supervised release, I understand that the court may (1) revoke supervision, (2) extend the term of supervision, and/or (3) modify the conditions of supervision.

These conditions have been read to me. I fully understand the conditions and have been provided a copy of them.

(Signed)____

Defendant

_______________

U. S. Probation Officer/Designated Witness


Summaries of

United States v. Benjamin

United States District Court Central District of California
Jul 26, 2012
Docket No. CR10-00923(A)-SJO (C.D. Cal. Jul. 26, 2012)
Case details for

United States v. Benjamin

Case Details

Full title:UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. BENJAMIN, Melvin Defendant

Court:United States District Court Central District of California

Date published: Jul 26, 2012

Citations

Docket No. CR10-00923(A)-SJO (C.D. Cal. Jul. 26, 2012)