United States v. Pinke
7:09-cr-00001
| E.D. Ky. | Jun 5, 2025Background
- John David Pinke was convicted in 2009 of assault with intent to murder and possession of a prohibited object while incarcerated; he and a co-conspirator stabbed another inmate, causing life-threatening injuries.
- Pinke was sentenced to a total of 288 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.
- In April 2024, Pinke filed a pro se motion for compassionate release under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A), citing deteriorating health, the length of his sentence, and confinement conditions.
- Pinke supported his motion with medical records and referenced recent amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines (U.S.S.G. § 1B1.13).
- As required, the court assessed whether Pinke had exhausted administrative remedies, then evaluated the motion under the new guideline amendments and the factors of 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).
- The court reviewed Pinke's medical treatment in prison, disciplinary record, and rehabilitation efforts as part of its analysis.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether medical conditions warrant compassionate release | Pinke’s needs are not being met in prison | Pinke has serious, untreated conditions | No evidence that care is inadequate or needs are unmet |
| Whether sentence length warrants release | Not addressed | Sentence is unusually long | Long sentence alone is not a valid basis for release |
| Catch-all/solitary confinement supports release | §1B1.13(b)(5) not for constitutional claims | Solitary amounts to cruel/unusual punishment | Should be brought as §2241 habeas claim, not under §3582(c) |
| Whether §3553(a) factors support release | Release not warranted by public safety/seriousness | Rehabilitation supports reduction | Original sentence remains appropriate |
Key Cases Cited
- United States v. Hammond, 712 F.3d 333 (6th Cir. 2013) (Describes court authority to modify a sentence only where authorized by statute)
- United States v. McCall, 56 F.4th 1048 (6th Cir. 2022) (Compassionate release is an exception to the finality of sentences)
- United States v. Jones, 980 F.3d 1098 (6th Cir. 2020) (District courts must supply specific reasons for compassionate release decisions)
- United States v. Alam, 960 F.3d 831 (6th Cir. 2020) (Movant bears burden to show entitlement to sentence reduction)