⚠ Recovered from a scanned original by OCR — check the official PDF before quoting exact language.
FILED
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FEB 23 2026
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
EL PASO DIVISION
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GENERAL ORDER REGARDING SPEEDY TRIAL ACT
On this day, the Court considered the measles outbreak currently impacting West Texas
Detention Facility and its implications on speedy trial rights under 18 U.S.C. § 3161. The Court
and counsel have been informed that because of the outbreak, a quarantine/lockdown has been
imposed by the facility for safety and reduction of further spread. An “ends of justice”
continuance under 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A) is typically used to effectuate limited delays in
response to case-specific needs.' The Court nevertheless concludes that broader “ends of
justice” continuances are necessary and appropriate in the El Paso Division of the Western
District of Texas due to the present measles outbreak, which has affected over one hundred
inmates to date.
Although the Court is mindful of its constitutional responsibilities, the need to protect the
health of those affected by this outbreak currently outweighs the important rights of individual
defendants and the public to speedy trials. The Court reaches this conclusion after careful
consideration of the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(B). Specifically, the Court finds
that exclusion of time from the respective speedy trial periods is necessary to protect the health
and safety of jurors and prospective jurors, court staff and employees, counsel, law enforcement
personnel, the public, and not least of all, the accused themselves. For these reasons, the Court
finds that the ends of justice outweigh the interest of the Defendants and of the public in a speedy
' United States v. Gordon, 93 F 4th 294, 305 (5th Cir. 2024) (citing Zedner v. United States, 547 U.S.
489, 498-99 (2006)).
trial, and that the period of time from February 12, 2026, through March 4, 2026, is excludable
time within the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161, and is hereby EXCLUDED from respective
speedy trial calculations pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A).
SO ORDERED.
SIGNED this 75 day of February, 2026.
KATHLEEN CARDONE LEON SCHYDLOWER
United States District Judge United States District Judge
DAVID 8RIONES DAVID C. GUADERRAMA
Senior United States District Judge Senior United States District Judge
