United States v. Zarate

SUSAN HIGHTOWER UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

ORDER ON DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO MODIFY CONDITIONS OF PRETRIAL RELEASE

SUSAN HIGHTOWER UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Now before the Court is Defendant's Motion to Amend Conditions of Pretrial Release, filed July 23, 2024. Dkt. 1006. The District Court referred the Motion to the undersigned Magistrate Judge for resolution, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(b), 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A), and Rule 44 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Dkt. 1007. On August 1, 2024, this Magistrate Judge held a hearing on the motion, at which Defendant, his attorney, counsel for the Government, and Defendant's Pretrial Services officer were present.

Defendant pled guilty to Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(h) and 1956(a)(1)(B)(i), on May 9, 2022. Dkt. 481. The District Court accepted Defendant's guilty plea on May 25, 2022, and his sentencing is set for November 15, 2024. Dkts. 503, 969.

Defendant has been living in Houston, in the custody of his mother. He now asks to be permitted to accept a job opportunity performing telecommunications work and reside in Georgetown, Texas.

Finding good cause therefor, the Court GRANTS Defendant's Motion to Amend Conditions of Pretrial Release (Dkt. 1006). The Court ORDERS that Defendant's Conditions of Release are hereby AMENDED to remove the custodial condition. Pursuant to Condition of Release 7(f), Defendant must abide by the following restrictions on personal association, residence, or travel: Travel restricted to Travis, Bell, Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Blanco, and Burnet Counties, unless approved by Pretrial Services.

Defendant remains subject to all other conditions in the Order Setting Conditions of Release (Dkt. 71), as modified (Dkts. 406 and 582), and must follow all instructions of the Pretrial Services Office and his supervising officer. The Court reminds Defendant that violating any conditions of his release may result in the immediate issuance of a warrant for her arrest, a revocation of her release, an order of detention, and a prosecution for contempt of court and could result in imprisonment, a fine, or both. See Dkt. 71 at 3.