Case 3:24-cr-00103-DPJ-LGI Document 59 Filed 04/11/25 Page 1 of 7

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
Apr 11 2025
NORTHERN DIVISION
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v. CRIMINAL CAUSE NO. 3:24cr103DPJ-LGI

JODY E. OWENS II,

AMENDED ORDER GRANTING CONTINUANCE

On November 20, 2024, the United States and the three named Defendants filed a joint

motion to continue [46] based on the Defendants’ need for additional time to review voluminous

discovery. The Court granted that motion on November 26, 2024, declared the case “complex”,

and instructed the parties to confer and submit (1) an estimated trial length, including jury

selection, and (2) three trial dates mutually agreeable to the parties. Order [48]. The parties

anticipated a trial lasting at least a month, but they could not agree on three dates. The Government

sought a trial no later than January 2026, and Defendants sought a trial as late as July 2026. Then,

after receiving additional discovery, counsel for Defendant Aaron B. Banks sought leave to submit

new trial dates that would push the date to Fall 2026. Mot. [54]. The Court set the matter for

hearing on March 7, 2025.

At the hearing, the Court asked counsel for the status of the Government’s discovery

production and the Defendants’ review of what they had already received. It also asked for best

estimates of the time necessary to complete the discovery production, Defendants’ review, motion

practice, jury selection, and trial. The parties revealed that the Government had already produced

around 44,000 pages of documents (many of which are “dense” financial records that may require

expert review); (2) over 500 hours of audio or video records; (3) partial transcripts; (4) grand-jury

testimony; and (5) other materials. The Government also announced that it anticipated producing
 Case 3:24-cr-00103-DPJ-LGI Document 59 Filed 04/11/25 Page 2 of 7

around 20 more transcripts, cell-phone data from each Defendant’s phone, additional witness

statements, and other disclosures.

Having heard from counsel and having carefully balanced the time Defendants need to

prepare for trial and the parties’ and the public’s right to a speedy public trial, the Court finds that

the motion for a continuance should be granted. For the reasons stated herein and those in the

parties’ respective motions and responses on these issues [46, 54-56], the ends of justice served by

granting the continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and the Defendants in a speedy

trial. Thus, failure to grant the continuance would result in a miscarriage of justice. The discovery

materials involved in this case are extraordinarily voluminous, and the exchange of that discovery

between the parties is still ongoing, and Defendants are entitled to adequate time to prepare.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the motion to continue this

matter for trial, and extensions of deadlines, is granted.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the trial of this matter is re-set for July 13, 2026.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall meet and confer no later than June 26,

2025, concerning any outstanding discovery issues.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall appear before this Court for Status

and Discovery Conferences on the following dates:

October 1, 2025, at 9:00AM, and

April 1, 2026, at 9:00AM

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Government shall produce to the Defendants all

“in scope” cellular telephone data no later than April 7, 2025, (as stated on the record during the

hearing) and all transcripts of relevant audio- and video-recorded communications no later than

May 6, 2025.
 Case 3:24-cr-00103-DPJ-LGI Document 59 Filed 04/11/25 Page 3 of 7

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the motions deadline is February 6, 2026.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any defendant who chooses to plead guilty must notify

this Court of his intent to plead guilty by May 29, 2026.

SO ORDERED, this the ______ day of ______________, 2025.

________________________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
 Case 3:24-cr-00103-DPJ-LGI Document 59 Filed 04/11/25 Page 4 of 7

____________________________
DEFENDANT

____________________________
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT

_____________________________
____________________
____
___________
COUNSEL FOR GOVERNMENT
GOOVERNMENT
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 Case 3:24-cr-00103-DPJ-LGI Document 58 Filed 02/05/25 Page 1 of 3

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

v. CRIMINAL NO. 3:24-cr-103-DPJ-LGI

JODY OWENS II,

PROTECTIVE ORDER

THIS MATTER COMES BEFORE THIS COURT on the Government's Motion for

Protective Order concerning the disclosure of discove1y material to Defendants [49]. Considering

the confidential and law-enforcement-sensitive information that may be disclosed to the

Defendants pursuant to the Government's discovery obligations, the Government's motion is

GRANTED.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

1. Any and all discovery material that the Government produces to the Defendants in

discovery shall be reviewed by only (i) the Defendants; (ii) the Defendants' attorney or attorneys

of record in this case; (iii) employees or agents of those attorneys; (iv) a photocopying or data

processing service to whom it is necessary that the Defendants provide the materials for the

purposes of preparation, trial, direct appeal (if any); and collateral attack (if any) of this case; (v)

witnesses or potential witnesses; and (vi) expe1ts or investigators assisting in the preparation, trial,

direct appeal (if any), and collateral attack (if any) of this case. No discovery material or copies

of any discovery material shall be provided to any individual or entity except as provided herein,

as agreed to by the parties, or as ftnther ordered by the Court. Nor shall the contents of any

discovery material be disclosed, in any other manner, to any individual or entity except as provided

in this Order, as has been agreed by the parties, or as fmther ordered by the Court.
Case 3:24-cr-00103-DPJ-LGI Document 58 Filed 02/05/25 Page 2 of 3
 Case 3:24-cr-00103-DPJ-LGI Document 58 Filed 02/05/25 Page 3 of 3

himself, herself, or itself to the jurisdiction of this Court for all purposes, including sanctions or

contempt for violation of this Order.

The Court notes that the foregoing Order does not preclude the parties from utilizing

discovery material in connection with the filing of pretrial motions. Where pretrial motions or

supporting exhibits contain confidential or sensitive information, the parties are encouraged to

seek permission from the Court to file said motions or supporting exhibits under restriction.

This, the 5 th d!\y ofFebrnary, 2°"

wi<:fL
v· j
. .. 1
1/ r;

LAKEYSHA ER SAAC
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

3
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A TRUE BILL:
S/SIGNATURE REDACTED
Foreperson of the Grand Jury