USA v. Gibson, et al.,

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, )
)
Plaintiff, )
v. ) No. 3:24-CR-73-TAV-DCP
)
LASHAUN JONES, )
)
Defendant. )
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
All pretrial motions in this case have been referred to the undersigned pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 636(b) for disposition or recommendation as appropriate. This case is before the Court on
Defendant Lashaun Jones’ Unopposed Motion to Continue Pretrial Conference, Pretrial Deadlines,
and the Trial Date [Doc. 123], filed on October 21, 2025.
Defendant requests the Court to continue the pretrial conference, set for October 23, 2025,
the current pretrial deadlines, and the trial date, set for November 4, 2025, by approximately
ninety-days [Id. at 1]. In support of his motion, Defendant notes her counsel was appointed on
October 20, 2025 [Id. ¶ 1]. Defendant states that a ninety-day continuance would allow her counsel
to receive and review discovery in full, research and prepare any pretrial motions, conduct
investigation and mitigation development, consult with Defendant regarding strategy and potential
resolution, and, if necessary, retain and consult with defense experts [Id. ¶ 3]. The Government
confirmed via email to the Court that it did not oppose the continuance. Defendant’s counsel
confirmed via telephone to the Court that he had spoken with Defendant and that she understood
and waived the impact of the motion to continue on her right to a speedy trial.
Based on the information in Defendant’s motion and because the Government does not
oppose the continuance, the Court finds the ends of justice served by granting a continuance
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outweigh the interests of Defendant and the public in a speedy trial. See 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A).
In making this determination, the Court has considered the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. §
3161(h)(7)(B). In consideration of these factors, the Court concludes that failing to grant a
continuance would both result in a miscarriage of justice and deny counsel for Defendant the
reasonable time necessary for effective preparation, taking into account the exercise of due
diligence. See id. § 3161(h)(7)(B)(i), (iv). Defendant needs the additional time to review discovery,
conduct research, consider pretrial motions, consult with counsel, and otherwise prepare for trial.
The Court finds that all of this cannot occur before the November 4, 2025 trial date.
The Court therefore GRANTS Defendant Lashaun Jones’ Unopposed Motion to Continue
Pretrial Conference, Pretrial Deadlines, and the Trial Date [Doc. 123]. The trial of this case is reset
to February 24, 2026. A new, comprehensive trial schedule is included below. Because the Court
finds that the ends of justice are served by granting a continuance outweigh the interests of
Defendant and the public in a speedy trial, all of the time between the filing of the motion on
October 21, 2025, and the new trial date is fully excludable time under the Speedy Trial Act. See
18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(1)(D), (h)(7)(A)–(B).
Accordingly, the Court ORDERS as follows:
(1) Defendant Lashuan Jones’ Unopposed Motion to Continue Pretrial
Conference, Pretrial Deadlines, and the Trial Date [Doc. 123] is
GRANTED;
(2) the trial of this matter is reset to commence on February 24, 2026,
at 9:00 a.m., before the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, United States
District Judge;
(3) all time between the filing of the motion on October 21, 2025, and
the new trial date of February 24, 2026, is fully excludable time
under the Speedy Trial Act for the reasons set forth herein;
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(4) the deadline for filing pretrial motions is extended to November 21,
2025, and responses to motions are due on or before December 5,
2025;
(5) the deadline for filing a plea agreement in the record and providing
reciprocal discovery is January 23, 2026;
(6) the deadline for filing motions in limine is February 9, 2026.
Responses to motions in limine are due on or before February 17,
2026;
(7) the parties are to appear before the undersigned for a final pretrial
conference on February 10, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.; and
(8) requests for special jury instructions with appropriate citations to
authority pursuant to Local Rule 7.4 shall be filed on or before
February 13, 2026.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
ENTER:
_____________________________
Debra C. Poplin
United States Magistrate Judge
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