Appellant Carlos Peralta, also known as Jose Matos, was arrested on February 3,
After ruling against Peralta at a May 6 suppression hearing, the district court revoked the bond and ordered Peralta detained. The district judge reasoned that Peralta, a New York City street vendor and citizen of the Dominican Republic, where his wife and infant child reside, might be more inclined to flee following the adverse evidentiary ruling. He also cited the potential threat to the community from repeated cocaine possession or sale. When entering the detention order, the district judge did not include written findings of fact and a written statement of reasons for the detention. Id. § 3142(i); Fed.R.App.P. 9(a) (requiring district court to state in writing the reasons for action taken at detention hearing). Instead, the reasons for detaining Peralta are contained in the transcription of the May 6 suppression hearing.
Peralta appeals the detention order, asserting that he is entitled to immediate release because the procedural requirements of section 3142(i) were not met. He also argues that the reopening of the detention hearing was impermissible. The government moves for remand to the district court for written findings of fact and a written statement of reasons as required by section 3142(i), which Peralta opposes.
As an initial matter, we determine that the transcription of a detention hearing, if it evinces a clear and legally sufficient basis for the court’s determination, will satisfy the requirements of section 3142(i). In reaching this conclusion, we fully acknowledge the mandatory nature of section 3142(i) and Rule 9.
See United States v. Salerno,
— U.S.-,
Turning to the merits of the detention order, we conclude that the district judge acted within the bounds of his authority in detaining Peralta. A preponderance of the evidence supports the finding that his appearance at trial cannot be assured.
See United States v. Vortis,
