USA v. Sanders

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AO 472 (Rev. 1/25) Order of Detention Pending Trial
U NITED S TATES D ISTRICT COURT
for the
SOUTHERN 	District of 	TEXAS
United States of America 	)
)
)
)
)
v.
BILLY BERNARD SANDERS
Case No. 	4:26-CR-073
Defendant
ORDER OF DETENTION PENDING TRIAL
Part I - Eligibility for Detention
Upon the
A. Motion of the Government or the Court’s own motion for a detention hearing pursuant to
18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(1) because the defendant is charged with:
(1) a crime of violence, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1591, or an offense listed in l8 U.S.C.
§ 2332b(g)(5)(B) for which a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years or more is
prescribed; or
(2) an offense for which the maximum sentence is life imprisonment or death; or
(3) an offense for which a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years or more is prescribed
in the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 801–904), the Controlled Substances Import and
Export Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 951–971), or Chapter 705 of Title 46, U.S.C. (46 U.S.C. §§ 70501–
70508); or
(4) any felony if such person has been convicted of two or more offenses described in
Subparagraphs (1) through (3) of this paragraph or two or more of such offenses if a
circumstance giving rise to federal jurisdiction had existed, or a combination thereof; or
(5) any felony that is not otherwise a crime of violence but involves (a) a minor victim;
(b) the possession of a firearm or destructive device (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921);
(c) any other dangerous weapon; or (d) a failure to register under 18 U.S.C. § 2250;
OR
B. Motion of the Government or the Court’s own motion for a detention hearing pursuant to
18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(2) because the case involves:
(1) a serious risk that the defendant will flee if released; or
(2) a serious risk that the defendant will obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice or
threaten, injure, or intimidate, or attempt to threaten, injure, or intimidate a prospective
witness or juror if released.
The Court found that the Government established one or more of the factors above, held a detention hearing,
and found that detention is warranted. This order sets forth the Court’s findings of fact and conclusions of
law, as required by 18 U.S.C. § 3142(i), in addition to any other findings made at the hearing.
United States District Court
Southern District of Texas
ENTERED
February 25, 2026
Nathan Ochsner, Clerk
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AO 472 (Rev. 1/25) Order of Detention Pending Trial
Part II - Findings of Fact and Law as to Presumptions under § 3142(e)
A. Rebuttable Presumption Arises Under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e)(2) (previous violator): There is a rebuttable
presumption that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of any other
person and the community because the following conditions have been met:
(1) the defendant is charged with one of the following crimes described in 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(1):
(a) a crime of violence, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1591, or an offense listed in 18 U.S.C.
§ 2332b(g)(5)(B) for which a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years or more is prescribed;
or
(b) an offense for which the maximum sentence is life imprisonment or death; or
(c) an offense for which a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years or more is prescribed in the
Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 801–904), the Controlled Substances Import and Export
Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 951–971), or Chapter 705 of Title 46, U.S.C. (46 U.S.C. §§ 70501–70508); or
(d) any felony if such person has been convicted of two or more offenses described in
subparagraphs
(a) through (c) of this paragraph, or two or more State or local offenses that would have been
offenses described in subparagraphs (a) through (c) of this paragraph if a circumstance giving rise
to federal jurisdiction had existed, or a combination of such offenses; or
(e) any felony that is not otherwise a crime of violence that involves:
(i) a minor victim; (ii) the possession or use of a firearm or destructive device (as defined in 18
U.S.C. § 921); (iii) any other dangerous weapon; or (iv) a failure to register under 18 U.S.C. §
2250; and
(2) the defendant has been convicted of a federal offense that is described in 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(1),
or of a State or local offense that would have been such an offense if a circumstance giving rise to federal
jurisdiction had existed; and
(3) the offense described in paragraph (2) above for which the defendant has been convicted was
committed while the defendant was on release pending trial for a federal, State, or local offense; and
(4) a period of not more than five years has elapsed since the date of conviction, or the release of the
defendant from imprisonment, for the offense described in paragraph (2) above, whichever is later.
B. Rebuttable Presumption Arises Under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(e)(3) (narcotics, firearm, other offenses): There is a
rebuttable presumption that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the appearance of
the defendant as required and the safety of the community because there is probable cause to believe that the
defendant committed one or more of the following offenses:
(1) an offense for which a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years or more is prescribed in the
Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 801–904), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21
U.S.C. §§ 951–971), or Chapter 705 of Title 46 (46 U.S.C. §§ 70501–70508);
(2) an offense under 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c), 956(a), or 2332b;
(3) an offense listed in 18 U.S.C. § 2332b(g)(5)(B) for which a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years
or more is prescribed;
(4) an offense under Chapter 77 of Title 18 (18 U.S.C. §§ 1581–1597) for which a maximum term of
imprisonment of 20 years or more is prescribed; or
(5) an offense involving a minor victim under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1201, 1591, 2241, 2242, 2244(a)(1), 2245,
2251, 2251A, 2252(a)(1), 2252(a)(2), 2252(a)(3), 2252A(a)(1), 2252A(a)(2), 2252A(a)(3), 2252A(a)(4),
2260, 2421, 2422, 2423, or 2425.
C. Application of Any Presumption Established Above
The defendant has not rebutted the presumption.
OR
The defendant has rebutted the presumption.
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AO 472 (Rev. 1/25) Order of Detention Pending Trial
Part III - Analysis and Statement of the Reasons for Detention
After considering any applicable presumption, the nature and circumstances of the defendant’s alleged conduct, the
defendant’s history and characteristics, the other factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g), the information presented at the
detention hearing, and the available conditions of release under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(c), the Court concludes that the
defendant must be detained pending trial because the Government has proven:
By clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions of release will reasonably assure
the safety of any other person and the community.
By a preponderance of evidence that no condition or combination of conditions of release will reasonably assure
the defendant’s appearance as required.
The reasons for detention include the following checked items (After this list, add any additional items or explanations as
needed to comply with the requirement for a written statement of reasons under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(i).):
The offense charged is a crime of violence, a violation of § 1591, a federal crime of terrorism, or involves
a minor victim or a controlled substance, firearm, explosive, or destructive device.
Weight of evidence against the defendant is strong.
Subject to lengthy period of incarceration if convicted.
Lack of significant family or other ties to the community.
Significant family or other ties outside the United States.
Lack of legal status in the United States.
Subject to removal or deportation after serving any period of incarceration.
Lack of stable residence.
Lack of stable employment.
Lack of financially responsible sureties.
Prior attempt(s) to evade law enforcement.
Use of alias(es) or false documents.
History of alcohol or substance abuse.
Prior criminal history.
History of violence or use of weapons.
Prior violations of probation, parole, or supervised release.
Prior failure to appear in court as ordered.
On probation, parole, and/or release pending trial, sentence appeal, or completion of the sentence at the time
of the alleged offense.
Participation in criminal activity while on probation, parole, or supervision.
The defendant’s release poses serious danger to any person or the community.
OTHER REASONS OR FURTHER EXPLANATION:
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AO 472 (Rev. 1/25) Order of Detention Pending Trial
Detention hearing held based on Defendant's danger to the community, risk of flight and under the presumption. The
Court finds no evidence was proffered by the Defendant to rebut the presumption that no condition or combination of
conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community. For that reason alone, Defendant shall be detained. In
addition, even if some evidence to rebut the presumption was produced, the Court considers the presumption, along with
the 3142(g) factors and finds, by clear and convincing evidence, there are no condition or combination of conditions to
reasonably assure the safety of any person or the community. The Court makes its findings based on testimony from the
hearing as well as the pretrial services report. Accordingly, the Court finds: (1) the nature and circumstances of the
offense weighs in favor of detention as Defendant was involved in a violent robbery where he robbed, at gun point, a
driver who worked with the post office, stealing cash, checks, and money orders; and, in another incident, robbed similar
postal bags from inside a post office. Defendant, who used to work at a post office, used a key to enter the facility and
steal the bag containing financial instruments, including cash; (2) the weight of the evidence is strong as DNA evidence
recovered from the face shield he wore during the theft matches and matches a prior 2016 postal driver robbery where a
driver was again robbed at gun point; additionally, Defendant's vehicle is seen in surveillance footage at the time of the
theft near the post office and cell-site information puts the Defendant's cell phone in the same vicinity as the crimes; (3)
Defendant has multiple arrests and convictions going back to 1980. He has convictions for burglary of a motor vehicle (3
years in TDCJ after probation was revoked due to new law violation), aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon (5 years
in TDCJ); burglary of a motor vehicle (3 years in TDCJ after parole revoked due to new law violation); forgery (3 years
in TDCJ); theft (25 days in jail); failure to identify x2 (45 days in jail in 1990 and 3 days in jail in 2000); misdemeanor
evading arrest (fine); burglary of a motor vehicle (1999, 45 days in jail); theft in 1999 (45 days in jail); unlawful use of a
criminal instrument (4 years' deferred adjudication); and a 2018 felony assault of a family member by impeding
breath/circulation (6 years deferred probation); and (4) he faces a lengthy prison sentence. For these reasons, detention is
ordered.
Part IV - Directions Regarding Detention
The defendant is remanded to the custody of the Attorney General or to the Attorney General’s designated representative
for confinement in a corrections facility separate, to the extent practicable, from persons awaiting or serving sentences or
being held in custody pending appeal. The defendant must be afforded a reasonable opportunity for private consultation
with defense counsel. On order of a court of the United States or on request of an attorney for the Government, the
person in charge of the corrections facility must deliver the defendant to a United States Marshal for the purpose of an
appearance in connection with a court proceeding.
Date: 	February 25, 2026
U.S. Magistrate Judge
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AO 472 (Rev. 1/25) Order of Detention Pending Trial
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