UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MENDEZ-SANTIZO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ALBANY DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 	:
:
v. 	: 	CASE NO.: 1:26-CR-1 (LAG)(ALS)
:
LUIS MARIO MENDEZ-SANTIZO, 	:
:
Defendant. 	:
:
ORDER
Before the Court is Defendant Luis Mario Mendez-Santizo’ Unopposed Motion to
Continue Trial in the Interest of Justice (Motion). (Doc. 30). Therein, Defendant moves to
continue the pretrial conference and trial in this matter, currently set for February 26, 2026,
and March 9, 2026, respectively. (Id. at 1; Doc. 20).
On January 13, 2026, Defendant Luis Mario Mendez-Santizo was charged with one
count of transportation of a minor, and one count of attempted use of facilities in interstate
and foreign commerce to transmit information about a minor. (Doc. 17). Defendant made
his initial appearance on February 12, 2026, pleaded not guilty, was ordered detained, and
was remanded to the custody of the U.S Marshals Service. (Docs. 22, 24, 25). On January
29, 2026, the Court scheduled Defendant’s pretrial conference and trial for February 26,
2026 and March 9, 2026, respectively. (Doc. 20). Defendant filed the subject Motion on
February 23, 2026. (Doc. 30). Therein, Defendant represents that Defense Counsel needs
additional time to review the government’s discovery and make an informed decision
regarding the next steps in the resolution of this matter. (Doc. 30 at 2). The Government
does not oppose Defendant’s Motion. (Id.).
Upon due consideration, the Court finds that the “ends of justice served by the
granting of [a] continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and the defendant in a
speedy trial.” 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A). Specifically, the Court finds that failing to grant
a continuance would result in a miscarriage of justice and deny Defendant’s Counsel the
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reasonable time necessary for effective preparation. 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(B)(i), (iv).
Accordingly, Defendant’s Motion (Doc. 30) is GRANTED, and the delay occasioned by
this continuance shall be deemed EXCLUDABLE pursuant to the provisions of the
Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161.
It is hereby ORDERED that the pretrial conference and trial in the above-captioned
matter shall be CONTINUED to a date to be determined later. The deadlines in the Court’s
January 29, 2026 Scheduling Order (Doc. 20) are hereby terminated, and a new scheduling
order will be forthcoming.
SO ORDERED, this 23rd day of February, 2026.
/s/ Leslie A. Gardner
LESLIE A. GARDNER, CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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