DISTRICT COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 
 
DIVISION OF ST. CROIX 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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USA,  
 
 
 
 
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Plaintiff, 
 
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1:99-cr-00016-2-WAL-GWC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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v. 
 
 
 
 
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LOUIS LOPEZ, JR., 
 
 
 
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Defendant.  
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________________________________________________ ║ 
 
TO: 
Lee J. Rohn, Esq. 
 
Katryna Lyn Spearman, Esq. 
 
Louis Lopez, Jr. 
 
Evan Rikhye, Esq., AUSA 
 
ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO STRIKE 
 
THIS MATTER is before the Court upon the United States’ Motion to Strike (ECF No. 
433) Defendant Lopez’s pro se motion for relief under the First Step Act (ECF No. 436).  
This Order is filed without need for response. 
The record reflects that Defendant Lopez has had legal representation since 
February 1, 2021 (ECF No. 425). Defendant’s pro se motion for relief under the First Step 
Act was filed on February 17, 2022, when Defendant was—and continues to be—
represented by counsel.  
The Constitution does not confer a right to proceed simultaneously by counsel and 
pro se, and the District Court is not obligated to consider pro se motions in light of 
Defendant’s representation. McKaskle v. Wiggins, 465 U.S. 168, 183 (1984) (finding no 
constitutional right to hybrid representation); see also United States v. D'Amario, 268 F. 
App'x 179, 180 (3d Cir. 2008) (rejecting pro se post-trial pleadings at same time counsel 
Case: 1:99-cr-00016-WAL-GWC   Document #: 439   Filed: 03/03/22   Page 1 of 2
USA v. Josiah et al 
1:99-cr-00016-2-WAL-GWC 
Order Granting Motion to Strike 
Page 2 
 
 
represented defendant); United States v. Titley, 2017 WL 3219482, at *1 (D.V.I. July 28, 
2017) (same).  
Accordingly, the Court will not consider Defendant Lopez’s pro se motion for relief 
under the First Step Act and Defendant is advised not to submit pro se filings while 
represented by counsel. 
 
WHEREFORE, it is hereby ORDERED: 
1. United States’ Motion to Strike (ECF No. 433) is GRANTED; 
2. Defendant Lopez’s pro se motion for relief under the First Step Act (ECF No. 436) is 
STRICKEN; and 
3. The Clerk of Court shall send a copy of this Order via certified mail to Defendant 
Louis Lopez, Jr.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ENTER: 
 
Dated: March 3, 2022 
 
 
 
/s/ George W. Cannon, Jr. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GEORGE W. CANNON, JR. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MAGISTRATE JUDGE 
Case: 1:99-cr-00016-WAL-GWC   Document #: 439   Filed: 03/03/22   Page 2 of 2