United States v. Freeman, 1:24-cr-20219

Brandi Lynn Freeman pleaded guilty in February 2025 to distributing fentanyl, a charge carrying up to 20 years' imprisonment.
Freeman was previously released on bond but violated bond conditions by using controlled substances and leaving a treatment facility without authorization.
She was arrested after absconding, had her bond revoked, and has been detained ever since.
After her guilty plea was accepted, Freeman filed a motion for temporary release to attend her sister’s funeral.
The case is governed by 18 U.S.C. § 3143, which prescribes mandatory detention for individuals awaiting sentencing for serious drug offenses, with only narrow exceptions.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Temporary release eligibility under § 3143(a)(2)	Freeman does not meet statutory exception for release; risk of flight remains	Freeman will cooperate and should be released temporarily for sister’s funeral	Motion for temporary release denied; statutory exceptions not satisfied
Likelihood of flight or danger to community	Defendant has a history of absconding and violating conditions	Asserts willingness to cooperate with law enforcement	Insufficient showing by clear and convincing evidence to guarantee no flight
Authority to grant release pending sentencing	Statute mandates detention; no recommendation for non-imprisonment	(No argument about motion for acquittal or government recommendation)	The court lacks authority to grant release absent the statutory exceptions
Substantial likelihood of acquittal or new trial	No motion pending or anticipated	(No argument made; no such motion filed)	No basis for release under § 3143(a)(2)