Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Laura Cofer Taylor is trying to block the compassionate release of Matthew Hoover, who is suffering from a terminal illness.
Mr. Hoover is convicted of the illegal transfer of machine gun conversion devices (MCDs). He ran a successful YouTube channel called CRS Firearms. While running the channel, he was approached by a sponsor who sold a novelty item called the Auto Key Card. The Auto Key Card was a credit card-sized metal card with an outline inspired by a lightning link etched on its surface. Although Hoover never sold the cards and merely advertised them, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) claimed he entered into a conspiracy with the owner of the Auto Key Card company.
Even if that was true, the Auto Key Card never worked. An ATF firearms examiner cut along the lines and installed it in an AR-15. It did not work because the dimensions were not accurate. The examiner ended up cutting outside the lines. Even after cutting outside the lines, it still didn’t function because the metal was too thick. The ATF could only get hammer follow, which can be caused by a piece of metal getting stuck in the fire control group. There have been no examples of an Auto Key Card functioning as a lightning link to date. The creator of the card, Kristopher Justin Ervin, claims it was a novelty item used to inspire conversations about gun control.
AUSA Cofer Taylor delayed the trial several times because of cancer treatments. When Mr. Hoover wanted the same respect for his cancer, his request was denied. In prison, his cancer would continue to grow. His treatments were delayed during the trial and before he reached prison. Mr. Hoover would file for a compassionate release due to his terminal illness.
Many other people convicted of crimes have been released because of similar circumstances. Many of those crimes had actual victims. Mr. Hoover’s conviction was for a crime with no victims. Besides this charge, he has a clean record, but Cofer Taylor claims he will likely re-offend and deserves no mercy.
In her motion, the cancer survivor seems to question whether Mr. Hoover is actually sick, claiming that the evidence was not good enough. She fails to mention that court records show that she was aware of Hoover’s cancer during the trial. Also, Ms. Cofer Taylor cited several videos and articles this reporter wrote when she filed a motion to gag this reporter for writing about the case. Those articles talked about Hoover’s cancer. The motion to silence AmmoLand News’ reporting failed because of First Amendment concerns.
“Defendant’s request to the BOP for compassionate release claimed a basis of ‘Terminal Medical Condition,’ but otherwise was silent as to what terminal medical condition the defendant purports to have, and then in the notes claimed zero point offender status, See Doc. 354 at Ex. A. Section 1B1.13(b) permits a reduction of a defendant’s sentence based on the defendant’s medical circumstances, however, defendant has provided no evidence to support his request,” the legal filing reads.
Ms. Cofer Taylor also claimed that since Hoover called out the government after Ervin’s arrest, that should prevent a compassionate release. Under the United States Constitution, we are allowed to criticize the government, but since Ms. Cofer Taylor also tried to gag a member of the media, freedom of the press is guaranteed by the same Amendment; maybe she is not familiar with the First Amendment. She also claims that Hoover was encouraging “prohibited persons” to buy the Auto Key Card, but Hoover didn’t consider the Auto Key Card to be a gun.
The filing reads, “Even if this Court were to find that the defendant has established a basis for reducing his sentence, this Court should deny the motion because a reduction is not supported by the Section 3553(a) factors. As this Court noted at sentencing, a sentence of 27-33 months, less than what the defendant now requests, would have been ‘wholly inadequate’ to achieve the statutory purposes of sentencing. The Court reasoned that the defendant “specifically encouraged prohibited persons, including convicted felons, to purchase these illegal devices, which this Court described as “extremely dangerous.” In imposing the defendant’s 60-month sentence, this Court further observed that the defendant’s conduct ‘was not aberrant’ and that “he doubled down even after Mr. Ervin’s arrest.” Even if the defendant could establish a basis for a sentence reduction, the Section 3553(a) factors would preclude it.”
If the courts grant the motion for compassionate release, Hoover will be reunited with his wife and daughter. If he is denied, then the future remains unknown.
About John Crump
Mr. Crump is an NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people from all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons, follow him on X at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
