USA v. JORDAN et al

IN THE U NITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
VALDOSTA DIVISION
U NITED STATES OF AMERICA,
v .
JOSHUAJORDAN and
RYAN RUGG,
Defendants.
CASE NO :
7:25-cr-25-WLS-ALS
ORDER
P reviously, the Court provided the Parties with notice that this case was scheduled for
pretrial conference on Wednesday , November 19, 2025, at 2:00 p .m ., and for trial during the
Court's Valdosta Specially Set Trial Term beginning D ecember 8, 2025 (D oc . 30). In the event
the case is not ready for trial, the P arties were ordered to file a motion to continue at least two
days prior to the date of the noticed pretrial conference . (I d) D efendant Joshua Jordan
("D efendant Jordan"), filed a timely Unopposed Motion to Continue T rial in the I nterest of
Justice (Doc . 32) ("Motion "). D efense Counsel requests a continuance to the next available
trial term to allow him time to property investigate the case so as to prov ide D efendant Jordan
with effective assistance of counsel, including considering pretrial litigation and/ or plea
negotiations, and to consult directly with D efendant J orda.n regarding his case. D efense
Counsel represents that he conferred with Government's counsel, who does not oppose the
Motion .
D efense Counsel states that the continuance is necessary for effective preparation of
this case, taking into account the exercise of due diligence. H e further states that the ends of
justice served by granting the continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and the
United States Attorney's Office 1 in a speedy trial, and that the period of delay be excluded
under the Speedy Trial Act 18 U.S. C. § 3161.
1 T o satisfy 18 U.S. C. § 3161(h)(7)(A) - (B), the Court assumes D efense Counsel intended to state that the ends
of justice served by granting the continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and the Defendant in a
speedy trial, and the Court so finds based on the statements in the M otion .
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The Court notes that although Co -D efendant R yan R ugg ("Co -D efendant R ugg") is
not a party to the Motion, he is charged as a co - defendant with D efendant Jordan, and review
of the docket reflects that no motion for severance has been filed or granted in this case.
Further, 	D efendant Jordan's 	Counsel 	represents 	that 	he 	has 	also 	conferred with 	co -
defendant's counsel who does not oppose the continuance.
The Court further notes that D efendant Jordan requests a continuance to the Court's
next regularly scheduled trial term, which for Valdosta cases is February 2026, beginning
February 2, 2026. TI1e pretrial conference for the February 2026 T rial T erm will be held in
approxima tely six weeks on D ecember 30, 2025.
B ased on D efendant Jordan's sta ted reasons, the status of this case, and the Court's
review of the entire record, the Court finds that: (1) a continuance is required for D efense
Counsel to effectively prepare for trial; (2) a continuance to the Court's May 2026 Valdosta
Trial Term will best serve the ends of justice and will provide D efense Counsel the reasonable
time necessary for effective preparation of this case; (3) the ends of justice served by granting
such continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and D efendant Jordan and Co-
D efendant R ugg in a speedy trial under 18 U.S.C. § 316101)(7) (A)-(B); and (4) with respect to
Co -D efendant Rugg, a delay to the Court's May 2026 trial term is reasonable where D efendant
Jordan is joined for trial with Co -D efendant Rugg, as to whom the time for trial has not run
and no motion for severance has been gran ted . See 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(6).
Accordingly, the Motion (D oc. 32) is GRANTED , as follows:
1. 	The trial of Joshua Jordan and R yan R ugg is CONTINUED to the Court's
Valdosta D ivision May 2026 T rial T erm and its conclusion, or as may otherwise be ordered
by the Court.
2. 	In the event D efendant Jordan's, Co -D efendant Rugg's, or G overnment's
Counsel believe the case will be ready for trial during the F ebruary 2026 Valdosta T rial Term,
then on or before Wednesd ay , Nov ember 26, 2025 , such P arty shall file the appropriate
motion (s) , including a motion to sever if appropriate under the applicable law and Rules, to
se t this case for such term of Court. Counsel should confer in advance of filing such motion (s).
3. 	The time l ost under the Speedy T rial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161, is EXCLUDED
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 316101)(7) because the Court has continued the trial in this case and
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finds that the failure to grant a continuance would (a) likely result in a miscarriage of justice,
(b) deny D efendant Jordan the continuity of counsel, and (C) deny D efendant Jordan's
Counsel the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation, taking into account the
exercise of due diligence. S ee 18 U .S.C. § 316101)(7) (B)(i), (iv).
4. 	Further, the time l ost under the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161, is
EXCLUDED pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(6) because the delay is reasonable, and
D efendant Jordan is joined for trial with Co -D efendant R ugg as to whom the time for trial
has not run and no motion for sev erance has been filed or granted.
5. 	The November 19, 2025 pretrial conference is CANCELLED .
SO ORDERED , this 18th day of November 2025.
Isl W. Louis Sands
W. LO U IS SANDS, SR. JU DGE
U NITED STATES DISTRICT CO U RT
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