United States v. David Alex Monroe, 3:21-cr-00008

Defendant Rosario Cortes‑Locenzo charged in a 30‑person methamphetamine conspiracy (21 U.S.C. § 846) and three counts under 21 U.S.C. § 843(b); offense carries at least a 10‑year mandatory minimum.
Magistrate Judge Brian K. Epps (after initial appearance in this district) and earlier Magistrate Judge Regina D. Cannon (Northern District of Georgia) entered orders of detention pending trial.
At the August 11, 2021 detention hearing the Government proffered: ~372 grams of meth found in the shared residence, >$32,000 cash, scales, packaging, multiple cell phones, and intercepted calls discussing "cooking" and distribution.
The Government linked a female participant in calls to a phone account in defendant's name; defense argued calls were innocuous and related to household cooking and children.
Defendant stressed familial, residential, and employment ties (four children, three in Atlanta schools) to rebut detention; Court found defendant is an illegal alien and faces a substantial sentence, increasing flight risk.
After de novo review, the district court affirmed the magistrate judge's detention order; defendant to remain detained pending trial or other resolution.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether defendant rebutted the rebuttable presumption of detention under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e)(3) (serious drug offense)	Presumption applies because charged drug offense carries ≥10 years; Government relied on the presumption and proffered evidence	Defendant urged her community/family ties and other factors rebut the presumption	Court: Presumption not rebutted; detention affirmed
Whether conditions could reasonably assure appearance (flight risk)	Illegal‑alien status plus heavy potential sentence make flight likely	Family, residential ties, employment, and children in Atlanta reduce flight risk	Court: Ties insufficient given immigration status and exposure to severe sentence; flight risk established
Whether conditions could reasonably assure safety of others/community	Strong proffer: large quantity of meth, cash, distribution paraphernalia, intercepted calls showing participation	Defendant argued calls were ordinary household/cooking talk and challenged identity on calls	Court: Weight of evidence and nature of offense show danger to community; detention appropriate
Standard of review for appeal of magistrate's detention order	Government relied on magistrate's findings and evidence	Defendant sought reversal of detention order; district court to review de novo	Court: Applied de novo review per binding precedent and affirmed magistrate's order

United States v. King, 849 F.2d 485 (11th Cir. 1988) (district court reviews magistrate judge's detention/release order de novo)