Order Revoking Bond — United States v. Ladonna Wiggins, Case No. 4-21-CR-00066-1 (Dkt. 234, S.D. Tex.)
Summary
U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina A. Bryan of the Southern District of Texas revoked Ladonna Wiggins's bond and remanded Wiggins to the custody of the US Marshals after a May 21, 2024 hearing on the Government's Sealed Motion for Revocation (ECF No. 227) in Case No. 4-21-CR-00066-1. Under 18 U.S.C. § 3148(b), the court found clear, convincing and undisputed evidence that Wiggins violated the release condition not to travel outside the judicial district, and found Wiggins unlikely to abide by any conditions of release. The order cites a denied request to travel to Paris and the later cancellation of the airfare, and a failure to follow the court's November 2, 2023 instruction to provide proof of legitimate self-employment, such as contracts and invoices for a claimed catering business. The court set a status conference for May 28, 2024, at which Wiggins may move to reopen the hearing.
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Case 4:21-cr-00066 Document 234 Filed on 05/21/24 in TXSD Page 1 of 3
United States District Court
Southern District of Texas
ENTERED
May 21, 2024
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
Nathan Ochsner, Clerk
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON DIVISION
United States of America, §
Plaintiff, §
§
v. § Case No. 4-21-CR-00066-1
§
Ladonna Wiggins, §
Defendant. §
ORDER REVOKING BOND
On May 21, 2024, the Defendant appeared with counsel on Government’s
Sealed Motion for Revocation, ECF No. 227. After hearing arguments of counsel,
the report from U.S. Probation, and reviewing the evidence, the Court ordered
Defendant’s bond revoked and that she be remanded to the custody of the US
Marshals.
Title 18 U.S.C. § 3148 sets forth the standard for revocation of pretrial release.
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3148(b), a judicial officer shall revoke a defendant’s pretrial
release if, after a hearing, the judicial officer finds (1) probable cause to believe that
a person has committed a federal, state, or local crime while on release; or clear and
convincing evidence that the person has violated any other condition of release; and
(2) that the person is unlikely to abide by any condition or combination of conditions
of release. In this case, the Court finds the Government has presented clear and
convincing (and undisputed) evidence of Defendant’s violations of conditions of
Case 4:21-cr-00066 Document 234 Filed on 05/21/24 in TXSD Page 2 of 3
pretrial release, and that the Defendant is unlikely to abide by any condition or
combination of conditions of release. Therefore, the Court revokes Defendant’s
pretrial release pursuant to Tile 18 U.S.C. § 3148(b).
The decision to revoke Defendant’s pretrial release is based on the following
evidence and information presented at the hearing:
The Court finds the Government’s Motion to Revoke and the Exhibits
in support provide clear, convincing and undisputed evidence that
Defendant violated the condition of her Pretrial Release that she not
travel outside the judicial district;
The Court finds the Defendant was fully aware of the travel restrictions
she faced, as evidenced by her request to travel to Paris which was
denied, and then her subsequent cancellation of her airfare to Paris;
The Court finds the Defendant has previously failed to comply with
conditions of release and has failed to comply with the Court’s
instructions on November 2, 2023 that she provide proof of legitimate
self-employment, to include contracts and invoices for the catering
business she claimed to be operating, and/or bills of sale or other proof
of the purchase and sale of the luxury goods she claims to offer through
an on-line business;
2
Case 4:21-cr-00066 Document 234 Filed on 05/21/24 in TXSD Page 3 of 3
The Court finds Defendant’s repeated and multiple violations of
Conditions of Release demonstrate a blatant disregard for this Court’s
orders which justify revocation of her Conditions of Release and bond.
The Court set a status conference for May 28, 2024, at which the Defendant
may move to reopen the hearing and seek pretrial release. If moving to reopen the
decision, Defendant should expect to produce evidence addressing her repeated
failures to comply with conditions of pretrial release and this Court’s instruction to
provide proof of legitimate employment as well as her willingness and ability to
comply with conditions of release in the future.
Signed on May 21, 2024, at Houston, Texas.
Christina A. Bryan
United States Magistrate Judge
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