USA v. Steelman

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 	)
)
Plaintiff, 	)
)
v. 	) 	No. 3:24-CR-137-TAV-DCP
)
TIMOTHY RAY STEELMAN, 	)
)
Defendant. 	)
ORDER OF COMMITMENT FOR
MENTAL EXAMINATION AND EVALUATION
This case is before the undersigned on Defendant’s Motion for Competency Evaluation
[Doc. 69, SEALED], which District Judge Katharine A. Crytzer referred on December 30, 2026
[Doc. 70, SEALED]. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b). The parties appeared before the undersigned on
January 13, 2026, for a motion hearing.1 Assistant United States Attorney Caroline Poore appeared
on behalf of the Government. Attorneys Wade V. Davies and Georgia A. Miller represented
Defendant, who was also present.
Defendant asks the Court for a competency evaluation and a hearing to determine his
competency to proceed. Mr. Davies stated that the information provided in the sealed motion along
with Defendant’s Presentence Report [Doc. 31, SEALED] provides reasonable cause for a
competency evaluation. Mr. Davies stated that while Defendant has not had a mental evaluation
in a long time, his most recent records from treatment at the University of Tennessee confirm prior
diagnoses for mild mental retardation, schizo-affective disorder bipolar type, and a history of
1 	At the motion hearing, defense counsel agreed that the hearing and this Order need not be
sealed and could openly reference the general nature of the contents of the sealed motion.
Case 3:24-cr-00137-KAC-JEM Document 72 Filed 01/16/26 Page 1 of 4 PageID
#: <pageID>

2
multiple suicide attempts and drug overdoses. Counsel is in the process of collecting Defendant’s
mental health records. Mr. Davies states that the available records and counsels’ observations of
Defendant reveal a thorough in-patient mental evaluation is needed.
AUSA Poore agreed that an inpatient evaluation is appropriate.
Based upon the information in the sealed motion, Defendant’s Presentence Report, and the
statements of the parties at the hearing, the Court finds that reasonable cause exists to believe that
Defendant Steelman may presently be suffering from a mental disease or defect that renders him
mentally incompetent to the extent that he is unable to understand the nature and consequences of
the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense. 18 U.S.C. § 4241(a). Accordingly,
the Court GRANTS the Defendant’s motion [Doc. 69] to undergo a competency evaluation and
for a competency hearing.
The Court hereby ORDERS, pursuant to Title 18, sections 4241(b) and 4247(b)–(c) of the
United States Code, as follows:
(1) 	Defendant shall remain in custody to await designation for
confinement in a suitable facility for the purpose of conducting a
psychiatric and/or psychological examination by one or more
licensed or certified psychiatric and clinical psychologists. 	After
designation of the facility is received, the United States Marshals
Service 	shall 	notify 	counsel 	for 	both 	parties 	promptly. 	The
Government then SHALL FILE a notice of designation in the
record to alert the Court.
(2) The purpose of the evaluation shall be for one or more licensed
or certified psychiatrists and/or clinical psychologists to conduct
psychiatric and psychological examinations of Defendant for the
purpose of determining whether Defendant is suffering from a
mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent to the
extent that he is unable to understand the nature and consequences
of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense.
(3) 	Pursuant to Rule 12.2(c), Defendant is to submit to such
examinations as ordered above.
Case 3:24-cr-00137-KAC-JEM Document 72 Filed 01/16/26 Page 2 of 4 PageID
#: <pageID>

3
(4) 	Defendant 	shall 	be 	given 	any 	necessary 	medications 	if
determined appropriate by the medical staff at the facility. 	The
facility is asked to evaluate a suitable medication regime for
Defendant and to place him on the proper medication for his mental
health if appropriate.
(5) 	The examiner and/or examiners designated to conduct such
examinations shall, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section
4247(c), file with the Court, as soon as possible after the completion
of such examinations, a report of their examinations with copies
provided to counsel for Defendant and counsel for the United States,
and said report shall include:
(a) Defendant’s history and present symptoms;
(b) a description of the psychiatric, psychological and
medical tests that were employed and their results;
(c) the examiner’s findings;
(d) the examiner’s opinions as to diagnosis and prognosis,
and
(e) the examiner’s opinion as to whether Defendant is
suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him
mentally incompetent to the extent that he is unable to
understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings
against him or to assist properly in his defense.
(6) Pursuant to Title 18, Section 4247(b), of the United States Code,
Defendant shall be committed to the custody of the Attorney
General for the purpose of such examinations for a reasonable
period not to exceed THIRTY (30) DAYS, unless otherwise
ordered by the Court.
(7) Defendant shall be FORTHWITH RETURNED to the custody
of the United States Marshals Service immediately following the
completion of the evaluation or the expiration of the thirty (30)-day
period, or any reasonable extension of that period, whichever is
sooner.
(8) A competency hearing and revocation hearing is set for April
20, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. If Defendant has returned and the Court has
received the forensic report prior to this time, the Court may
schedule a competency hearing on an earlier date. If Defendant has
Case 3:24-cr-00137-KAC-JEM Document 72 Filed 01/16/26 Page 3 of 4 PageID
#: <pageID>

4
not returned or the Court has not received the forensic report by this
date, then the matter will proceed as a status conference.
(9) The United States Marshals Service shall notify counsel for both
parties and the undersigned’s office promptly when Defendant
returns to this jurisdiction from the mental evaluation. If Defendant
has returned in time, the United States Marshals Service shall bring
him to the April 20, 2026 competency hearing.
(10) Counsel for Defendant Steelman is DIRECTED to provide the
evaluating mental health provider with a copy of the sealed motion
[Doc. 69] and copies of the Defendant’s medical, mental health, and
educational records in counsel’s possession or that counsel receives
during the pendency of the evaluation.
(12) The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to serve copies of this order
on counsel of record and to serve three certified copies on the United
States Marshals Service.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
ENTER:
__________________________________
Jill E. McCook
United States Magistrate Judge
Case 3:24-cr-00137-KAC-JEM Document 72 Filed 01/16/26 Page 4 of 4 PageID
#: <pageID>