USA v. Robinson et al

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 	CRIMINAL ACTION
VERSUS 	NO. 13-286
DUANE PHILLIPS 	SECTION “R” (1)
ORDER AND REASONS
Before 	the 	Court 	is 	defendant 	Duane 	Phillips’ 	third 	motion 	for
compassionate release.1 	The Government opposes Phillips’ motion. 2 For the
following reasons, the Court denies the motion for compassionate release.
In evaluating defendant’s compassionate release motion, the Court
must first “consider[] the factors set forth in section 3553(a) to the extent
that they are applicable.” 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A). For the reasons stated in
the Court’s orders denying Phillips two prior motions for compassionate
release, 3 the Court finds that the 3553(a) factors counsel against release. 4
Specifically, the Court finds that the “seriousness of the offense” militates
against early release. See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(2)(A). Defendant has a lengthy
criminal 	history 	and 	committed 	the 	instant 	sex 	crimes, 	including 	a
1 	R. Doc. 699.
2 	R. Doc. 715.
3 	R. Docs. 561, 664,
4 	R. Doc. 664 at 8.
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conspiracy to commit sex trafficking that lasted over a year, 5 while serving a
term of probation. 6 	Phillips was found to have forced women to commit
sexual acts and would physically assault them if they did not follow his
orders. 7 	The 	Court 	finds 	that 	the 	3553(a) 	factors 	counsel 	against
compassionate release.
In 	his 	motion 	for 	compassionate 	release, 	Phillips 	requests
compassionate release to serve as the caregiver for his father with terminal
stage 4 cancer.8 Phillips’ father has passed away since the motion was filed. 9
Phillips has presented no other extraordinary and compelling reason to
justify his release.
The Court DENIES Phillips’ motion for compassionate release.
New Orleans, Louisiana, this __ day of March, 2026.
_____________________
SARAH S. VANCE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
5 	R. Doc. 187.
6 	R. Doc. 298 at 32.
7 	R. Doc. 188.
8 	Id.
9 	R. Doc. 718.
3rd
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