A 73-year-old diabetic individual requested compassionate release. The court granted the request, citing the individual's age and health conditions, changes to the sentencing regime for his convictions, pandemic, lack of disciplinary infractions, and increased access to healthcare upon release.
United States v. Copeland, No. 2:05-cr-00135-DCN (D.S.C. Mar. 24, 2020)
DETAILS
Decision
Date
3/24/2020
Practice Area
Criminal (Federal Charges)
Relief Requested
Release
Type of Court
Federal District Court
Location
South Carolina
Type of Case
Individual
Case Characteristics
Elderly, Parole or Probation Violations, Post-Conviction Detention [jail or prison], Pre-Existing Health Conditions, Pretrial Detention [jail], Significant Criminal History
Release Granted
Yes
Compassionate Release Case
Yes
Compassionate Release Specific Characteristics
Has a significant criminal history, Only served a small portion of their sentence (less than 33%), Was sentenced as an Armed Career Criminal under the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA)
21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 841(b)(1)(B); 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C); and 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2), and 924(e)
Case Status
Decision Made
Compassionate Release Exhaustion Holdingsin Federal Case
Exhaustion is subject to equitable exceptions.
Pre-Existing Health Conditions
Age, Bi-Polar Disorder, Cancer, Cardiac Disease, Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Hypertension (high blood pressure), Liver Disease, Other, PTSD, Substance Use Disorder, In need of orthopedic surgery
Pre-Existing Health Conditions Notes
Previously treated for prostate cancer
COVID-19 Positive or Symptomatic
Not discussed
COVID-19 in Jail Prison or Detention Center
Not Discussed
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