USA v. Thomas

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 	)
)
Plaintiff, 	)
v. 	) 	No. 3:25-CR-128-TAV-JEM
)
TIMOTHY DORIAN THOMAS, 	)
)
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 Timothy Dorian Thomas’s Motion to Continue Trial Date and All Related Deadlines
[Doc. 22], which he filed on June 10, 2026.
Defendant Thomas asks the Court to continue his trial date and all related deadlines [Id.].
In support, Defendant states he and his counsel received and reviewed a proposed plea offer, but
there is an issue needing clarification because it could affect sentencing [Id. ¶ 2]. His counsel needs
additional time to research and make a final decision on whether to sign a plea agreement or
proceed to trial [Id. ¶¶ 2–3]. Defendant also states his counsel was appointed on March 24, 2026,
and additional time is necessary for counsel to review the discovery produced in the case [Id. ¶ 4].
Defendant consents to the continuance and waives all speedy trial rights associated with this
request [Id. ¶ 5]. Defendant also represents the Government has no objection to this Motion
[Id. ¶ 6].
Based upon 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
outweighs 	the 	interests 	of 	Defendant 	and 	the 	public 	in 	a 	speedy 	trial. 	See 	18 	U.S.C.
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§ 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). Specifically, 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). Specifically, Defendant’s counsel needs additional time to review a plea
agreement, conduct research, review discovery, and, if necessary, prepare for trial. The Court finds
that this cannot occur before the July 14, 2026 trial date.
The Court therefore GRANTS Defendant’s Motion to Continue Trial Date and All Related
Deadlines [Doc. 22]. The trial date is reset to September 15, 2026. A new, comprehensive trial
schedule is included below. Because the Court has found that the ends of justice 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 June 10, 2026, 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, it is ORDERED as follows:
(1) 	Defendant’s Motion to Continue Trial and All Related Deadlines
[Doc. 22] is GRANTED;
(2) 	the trial date is reset to commence on September 15, 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 June 10, 2026, and the
new trial date of September 15, 2026, is fully excludable time under
the Speedy Trial Act for the reasons set forth herein;
(4) 	the deadline for filing a plea agreement in the record and providing
reciprocal discovery is August 14, 2026;
(5) 	the deadline for filing motions in limine is August 31, 2026, and
responses to motions in limine are due on or before September 8,
2026;
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(6) 	the parties are to appear before the undersigned for a final pretrial
conference on September 1, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.; and
(7) 	requests for special jury instructions with appropriate citations to
authority pursuant to Local Rule 7.4 shall be filed on or before
September 4, 2026.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
ENTER:
____________________________
Jill E. McCook
United States Magistrate Judge
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