Health Conditions

Health Conditions

May 27, 2021

United States v. Wheelock

United States District Court for the District of Minnesota

2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 99684

Multitude of health conditions lead to compassionate release

At 65 years old, Guy Edward Wheelock suffers from a laundry list of medical conditions. He has type-2 diabetes and also suffers from numerous other medical conditions, including a history of heart disease, recurrent hypotension, hyperlipidemia, and anemia. He also has neuropathy in both feet, as well as a chronic ulcer on his ankle. In addition, due to severe atherosclerosis to both legs, Wheelock is bound to a wheelchair and is in need of vascular surgery. On April 22, 2020, Wheelock tested positive for COVID-19 and for six months following that COVID-19 diagnosis, he suffered from chronic diarrhea.

Wheelock is incarcerated due to a charge from November 7, 2013, where he pleaded guilty to one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. On February 29, 2014, he was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 180 months, followed by twenty years supervised release.

Wheelock filed a motion for compassionate release due to his myriad underlying health conditions. When examining his case, the court noted that at this point, Wheelock has served over seven years, which is approximately 60% of his sentence. Furthermore, the court asserts that in accordance with data collected on recidivism, due to Wheelock’s advanced age, he is unlikely to reoffend. The court also noted that he did not incur any disciplinary reports while incarcerated.

Ultimately, in its decision to grant Wheelock’s request, the court noted that he will be on supervised release for twenty years, and his conditions of release will reduce any danger he poses to the community. For example, all of Wheelock’s computer use must first be approved by the probation office, and the probation office may install computer and internet monitoring programs on any computer to which he has access. The monitoring of his computer use includes random examinations and removal of any computer system or devices for thorough examinations. Wheelock will also be forbidden from associating with persons under the age of 18 except in the presence of a responsible adult who has been approved by the probation office. Further, he must participate in sex offender treatment and/or mental health treatment as approved by the probation office.