In order to transport a 900-pound Virginia man to court, a federal judge has approved a plan that could involve cutting out a wall of the man’s home.
Kenneth Hicks, 48, from Emporia, is scheduled to plead guilty in a cocaine conspiracy case on Monday.
For a previous court date in March, Hicks was allowed to appear on a video link, but he requested help from authorities to get him to the U.S. District Court in Richmond for Monday, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
Last week, U.S. Magistrate Judge David Novak approved the unusual plan to get Hicks to the courthouse in a way that protects his health, safety and dignity.
The plan will have officials and medical personnel assess any medical issues Hicks may have and, depending on his weight, he could be carried out of his dwelling — attached to the rear of a mobile home — on a stretcher.
Fox News Poll: Cost of living concerns weigh on GOP in midterms
Expert calls California ‘Wild West’ for surrogacy after couple charged with abusing surrogate-born children
DOJ unveils nationwide tax fraud crackdown involving 76 defendants, nearly $500M in alleged losses
Breaking: The DOJ Has Seized Ilhan Omar’s Phone
Dem AG targets Trump on voting while his state sends rights letters to dead people
Metallica Frontman Triggers Leftists with Subtle Shot at Zach Bryan, Macklemore, and Jelly Roll
Mamdani accuses Blakeman of ‘bigotry and racism’ in breakout debate that mayor didn’t watch
Lindsay Clancy mistrial holdout says he thought she was ‘methodical’ in the ‘execution’ of her children
Ken Paxton sues major baby food companies, alleging dangerous levels of heavy metals
AOC puts her standing as progressive leader on the line by hitching wagon to el Sayed
Federal Judge Sides with CNN, Politico, MS NOW in Battle Against White House
Massive trove of Republican voter and donor info breached in Biden DOJ probe: Senate chairman
Some pollsters think their results are exaggerating Democrats’ support, and angry ex-Trumpers are the cause
Apple Launches New Gadget with ‘Painfully Bad’ Ad That’s Making People ‘Actively Not Want to Buy the Product’
Iowa Dem Senate candidate says he’s too busy campaigning to attend all state House votes
“The FBI and U.S. Marshals may determine that it is necessary to open a large hole in the wall of the structure in order to facilitate the use of a device capable of lifting the defendant’s weight,” the request, which was approved by the judge, said.
“This procedure may also require the removal of the ramp near his doorway, and trees on the property. This procedure may require the bracing of the floor, and the removal of parts of the ceiling structure as well,” the request continued. “All steps will be taken to minimize damage and protect the defendant’s property.”
According to court papers, the conspiracy to distribute occurred from 2013 to 2017 and if he pleads guilty on Monday, Hicks will be arrested and taken to a secure medical facility, according to the outlet.
Story cited here.
