U.S. v. Tejada

• Decision Date: 04 October 1999
• Docket Number: No. 89-CR-57 LEK.,89-CR-57 LEK.
• Citation: 108 F.Supp.2d 137
• Parties: UNITED STATES of America, v. Luis TEJADA, Defendant.
• Court: U.S. District Court — Northern District of New York

108 F.Supp.2d 137

UNITED STATES of America, v. Luis TEJADA, Defendant.

No. 89-CR-57 LEK.

United States District Court, N.D. New York.

October 4, 1999.

Honorable Thomas J. Maroney, United States Attorney, Northern District of New York, James T. Foley Courthouse, Albany, NY (Richard S. Hartunian, of counsel), for the Government.

Offices of Frederick Rench, Clifton Park, NY (Frederick A. Rench, of counsel), for the Defendant.

Memorandum-Decision and Order

KAHN, District Judge.

I. Background

Defendant Luis Tejada ("Defendant" or "Tejada") was indicted along with seven (7) other individuals in 1989 for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846, Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, in violation 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2, Distribution of Cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2, and Possession of a Firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Tejada was arrested by the Miramar, Florida Police Department on or about 27 July 1998. According to the government, the eight-and-one-half year delay between the time of his indictment and the date of his arrest was due to Tejada's efforts to remain a fugitive from the law rather than the government's neglect. Presently before this Court are the following motions: (1) Defendant's motion for a bill of particulars; (2) Defendant's motion for an order, pursuant to Rule 16 of the Federal rules of Criminal Procedure, granting discovery and inspection as requested; (3) Defendant's motion for an order pursuant to Rule 404(b); (4) Defendant's motion for an order requiring government disclosure of Co-Defendant cooperation; (5) Defendant's motion for disclosure of identities of confidential informants; (6) Defendant's motion to suppress; (7) Defendant's motion to dismiss the indictment, or, in the alternative, to hold an evidentiary hearing; and (8) Defendant's motion for leave to initiate or renew new motions. (Omnibus motion, Doc. 135, 15 Oct. 1998.) These motions are discussed seriatim.

FOR THE REASONS STATED BELOW,

Defendant's motion for a bill of particulars is DENIED;

Defendant's motion for discovery and inspection is DENIED without prejudice;

Defendant's motion to compel disclosure of 404(b) evidence is DENIED without prejudice;

Defendant's request for immediate disclosure of Co-Defendant coöperation is DENIED, without prejudice to resubmission when timely;

Defendant's motion for disclosure of informant information is DENIED;

Defendant's motion to suppress Defendant statements or admissions is DENIED;

Defendant's motion to dismiss the indictment is DENIED;

Defendant's motion for an evidentiary hearing is DENIED; and

Defendant's motion for leave to renew motions or initiate new motions is GRANTED.

II. Discussion

(1.) Defendant's Motion for Bill of Particulars

Defendant moves pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 7(f) for a bill of particulars. Rule 7(f) provides the following:

The court may direct the filing of a bill of particulars. A motion for a bill of particulars may be made before arraignment or within ten days after arraignment or at such later time as the court may permit. A bill of particulars may be amended at any time subject to such conditions as justice requires.

A district court has broad discretion in determining whether to grant a motion for a bill of particulars. See United States v. Torres, 901 F.2d 205, 234 (2d Cir.1990); United States v. Walker, 922 F.Supp. 732 (N.D.N.Y.1996). "A bill of particulars should be granted where necessary (1) to inform the accused of charges against him with sufficient precision to enable him to prepare his defense and avoid surprise, and (2) to enable him to plead his acquittal or conviction in bar of any further prosecution for the same offense." United States v. Lonzo, 793 F.Supp. 57, 60 (N.D.N.Y. 1992) (citing United States v. Davidoff, 845 F.2d 1151, 1154 (2d Cir.1988)). In that vein, the purpose of a bill of particulars is not to provide "evidentiary detail," nor is it to allow a defendant access to the government's legal theory. Id. (citing United States v. LaMorte, 744 F.Supp. 573, 577 (S.D.N.Y.1990)). Moreover, a bill of particulars is not necessary if the information defendant seeks is available in some other form. United States v. Bortnovsky, 820 F.2d 572, 574 (2d Cir.1987); United States v. Laughlin, 768 F.Supp. 957 (N.D.N.Y. 1991).

Defendant's sundry requests predominantly pertain to the specifics of the alleged conspiracy of which the government contends Tejada was a member. "[D]emands for particulars regarding the formation of a conspiracy have almost universally been denied. Matters such as the exact time and place of the overt acts and names of the persons present are not properly the subject of a bill of particulars." United States v. Walker, 922 F.Supp. 732, 739 (N.D.N.Y.1996) (citing United States v. Wilson, 565 F.Supp. 1416, 1438 (S.D.N.Y.1983)). The facts presented in this matter do not constitute a complex charge. The indictment and other documents here adequately inform Tejada of the charges against him, the amount of cocaine involved, the time and location of alleged criminal acts, and Tejada's involvement in the alleged conspiracy. See United States v. Walker, 922 F.Supp. 732 (N.D.N.Y.1996) (stating that in determining whether a bill of particulars is warranted, a court should consider complexity of offense, clarity of indictment, and degree of discovery otherwise available to defendants).

Accordingly, Tejada's motion for a bill of particulars is hereby DENIED.

(2.) Defendant's Motion for Discovery and Inspection

Defendant moves for discovery pursuant to Fed.R.Crim.P. 16. In general terms, Rule 16 requires the government to make available to the defendant (1) statements made by the defendant; (2) defendant's prior criminal record; (3) relevant documents and other tangible evidence that is material to the preparation of the defendant's case or intended for use by the government as evidence in its case-in-chief; (4) reports of examinations and tests that are either material to the preparation of the defendant's case or intended for use by the government as evidence in its case-in-chief; and (5) a written summary of expert reports the government intends to use during the presentation of the government's case-in-chief. According to the government, Tejada has been given all of the above items of which the government is aware. Thus, no order to compel discovery is required here. If, however, at the time of trial Defendant feels he has not obtained all the required items, he is free to move accordingly at that time. Defendant's motion for discovery and inspection is hereby DENIED without prejudice.

(3.) Defendant's Motion for an Order Pursuant to Rule 404(b)

Fed.R.Evid. 404(b) provides the following:

Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident, provided that upon request by the accused, the prosecution in a criminal case shall provide reasonable notice in advance of trial, or during trial if the court excuses pretrial notice on good cause shown, of the general nature of any such evidence it intends to introduce at trial.

The majority of the government's memorandum of law relative to this portion of Defendant's omnibus motion is apparently directed to the admissibility of Rule 404(b) evidence, which is not an issue here. The government does, however, devote a paragraph to inform this Court that it is not yet clear whether it will attempt to introduce Rule 404(b) evidence during trial. The government also points out that it is aware of its responsibility to "provide reasonable notice in advance of trial" if it intends to do so. As a result, a motion to compel is not presently required. Therefore, Defendant's motion to compel disclosure of 404(b) evidence is hereby DENIED without prejudice.

(4.) Defendant's Motion for an Order Requiring Government Disclosure of Coöperation Agreements with Co-Defendants

Though opposition to Defendant's request appears nowhere in the government's memorandum of law, disclosure of impeachment material, which is "mandated by Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150, 154, 92 S.Ct. 763, 31 L.Ed.2d 104 (1972), ... is properly disclosed when the witness is called to testify at trial." Walker, 922 F.Supp. at 741. Accordingly, Defendant's request for immediate disclosure is hereby DENIED, without prejudice to resubmission when timely.

(5.) Defendant's Motion for Disclosure of Identities of Confidential Informants

Courts have long recognized the privilege to maintain the confidentiality of informant identity and background information. Roviaro v. United States, 353 U.S. 53, 77 S.Ct. 623, 1 L.Ed.2d 639 (1957). That privilege is not absolute and, thus, must "give way if the disclosure of an informant's identity, or the contents of his communication is relevant and helpful to the defense of an accused, or is essential to a fair determination of a case." Walker, 922 F.Supp. at 740. A defendant is not entitled to informant information, however, "where (1) the Government (sic) planned to have the informant testify at trial, thereby requiring the government to turn over Jencks materials, and (2) defendant did not show a particularized need for pretrial disclosure." Id.

Here, Defendant seeks disclosure of informant information "for the purpose of discovering any bias or impeachment evidence which may exist." Def.'s Mem. at 11. Defendant makes no particularized showing of need other than similar general and conclusory statements. As a result, Tejada has not overcome the informant anonymity privilege. Therefore, Tejada's motion for informant information is hereby DENIED.

(6.) Defendant'...