DISTRICT COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 
DIVISION OF ST. CROIX 
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,  
 
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v. 
 
 
 
 
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Criminal Action No. 2015-0017 
 
MIGUEL ESPERANZA-VASQUEZ, 
 
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) 
 
 
 
Defendant. 
 
 
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__________________________________________) 
 
Attorneys: 
Christian H. Stringer, Esq., 
St. Croix, U.S.V.I. 
 
For the Government 
 
Gabriel J. Villegas, Esq.,  
St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. 
Omodare B. Jupiter, Esq., 
St. Croix, U.S.V.I. 
For Defendant 
 
ORDER 
 
THIS MATTER comes before the Court on Defendant’s “Motion to Seal Document,” 
wherein Defendant requests—without stating any legal basis or explanation—to file his sentencing 
memorandum under seal. (Dkt. No. 46).   
“The First Amendment right of access to criminal proceedings is firmly established.” 
United States v. Smith, 123 F.3d 140, 146 (3d Cir. 1997) (citing Richmond Newspapers, Inc. v. 
Virginia, 448 U.S. 555 (1980)). “[F]or a district court to seal a criminal proceeding or records, 
‘particularized findings must be made on the record in each case, (1) establishing the existence of 
a compelling governmental interest, and (2) demonstrating that absent limited restrictions upon the 
right of access, that other interest would be substantially impaired.’” Id. at 147 (quoting United 
States v. Antar, 38 F.3d 1348, 1359 (3d Cir. 1994)). Thus, “where a right of access exists, the 
Case: 1:15-cr-00017-WAL-GWC   Document #: 48   Filed: 06/16/16   Page 1 of 2
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proponent of closure bears a strong burden in rebutting the ‘presumption of openness.’” Antar, 38 
F.3d at 1362.  
 
In the instant Motion, Defendant provides no basis upon which the Court can make 
“particularized findings” that an “overriding interest compels some limitation upon the right of 
access” to criminal records, and that sealing Defendant’s sentencing memorandum “is the least 
restrictive means possible” of protecting that interest. Antar, 38 F.3d at 1363. Accordingly, it is 
hereby  
 
ORDERED that Defendant’s “Motion to Seal Document” is DENIED.  
SO ORDERED. 
Date:  June 16, 2016  
 
 
 
 
_______/s/________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WILMA A. LEWIS 
Chief Judge 
 
Case: 1:15-cr-00017-WAL-GWC   Document #: 48   Filed: 06/16/16   Page 2 of 2