Martin v. United States
Martin v. United States
Opinion of the Court
ORDER
Presently before the Court is Movant Frank T. Martin’s (“Movant”) Motion to Vacate, Set.Aside, or Correct a.Sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. (Doc. # l).
DISCUSSION
I. FACTS
On October 20, 2010, Movant was indicted for three counts of distribution of cocaine (Counts I — III), being a felon in possession of a firearm (Count IV), and for carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense (Count V). (Case No. 10-00299-CR-W-GAF, Doc. # 1, pp. 2-3). On October 20, 2011, Mov-ant pled guilty to all counts of the Indictment. (Id, Doc. # 37).
Movant’s presentence investigation report (the “PSR”) was prepared and determined that Movant’s sentencing guideline range was between 262 and 327 months. (Id, PSR ¶ 74). This.recommendation included. a sentencing ..enhancement for Count IV, because it was determined that
II. LEGAL STANDARD
Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, a mov-ant may collaterally attack his sentence on four grounds: “(1) ‘that the sentence was imposed in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States,’ (2) ‘that the court was without jurisdiction to impose such sentence,’ (3) ‘that the sentence was in excess of the maximum authorized by law,’ and (4) that the sentence ‘is otherwise subject to collateral attack.’” Hill v. United States, 368 U.S. 424, 426-27, 82 S.Ct. 468, 7 L.Ed.2d 417 (1962) (quoting 28 U.S.C. § 2255). Arguments that might warrant reversal on direct appeal do not necessarily support collateral attack. United States v. Frady, 456 U.S. 152, 165, 102 S.Ct. 1584, 71 L.Ed.2d 816 (1982).
III. ANALYSIS
If an individual is found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and “has three or more earlier convictions for a ‘serious drug offense’ or a ‘violent felony,’ the Armed Career Criminal Act [the “ACCA”] increases his prison term to a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life.” Johnson v. United States, — U.S. -, 135 S.Ct. 2551, 2555, 192 L.Ed.2d 569 (2015). A violent felony is .defined as:
any. crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, ;.. that (i) has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another; or (ii) is burglary, arson, ■ or extortion, involves use of explosives, or otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another.
18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(B) -(emphasis added). “The closing words of this definition
The Government agrees that “[alp-plying Johnson today, it would seem that [Movant] would not be considered an armed career criminal under the residual clause” and accordingly “would not be subject to the ■ enhanced ACCA statutory range of punishment.” (Doc. # 5, pp. 7, 8). The Government argues that. Movant’s Motion should nevertheless be denied because vacating Movant’s sentence under Count IV would not impact his sentence. (Id. at 8). A § 2255 motion is appropriate where a sentence is illegal, which occurs when the sentence is “imposed without, or in excess of, statutory authority.” Sun Bear v. United States, 644 F.3d 700, 705 (8th Cir. 2011). The Eighth Circuit has determined that § 2255 relief is inappro
In Otten, the Eighth Circuit determined that the movant’s sentence had been improperly enhanced under the ACCA. Id. at 560. The movant argued that because of this, his sentence should be vacated. Id. The Eighth Circuit disagreed, reasoning that although the movant’s sentence on his felon in possession charge was improper, he was also convicted of another charge which could have been imposed consecutively to the movant’s felon in possession charge, and resulted in the same sentence. Id. at 561. The Court concluded that, as a result, the movant’s sentence was not illegal even though relief was denied “based on the sentence a district court hypothetically could—rather than did—impose.” Id. at 562. ,
Like in Otten, Movant’s enhanced sentence under Count IV was improper. However, Movant also pled guilty to Counts I—III of his indictment. (Case No. 10-00299-CR-W-GAF, Doc. # 37). Those three counts each carried a statutory penalty range of up to thirty years imprisonment. (Id., PSR ¶73). Unlike in Otten, no hypothetical sentence is required. This Court sentenced Movant to the exact same sentence, 180 months, on Counts I—III with sentences to run concurrently. (Id., Sent. Tr. 5:19-6:9). Thus, it is even more clear in this case than it was in Otten that Movant’s sentence is not illegal, as it is not in excess of statutory authority. See Sun Bear, 644 F.3d at 705.
Movant argues, that because his sentence under Count IV was unlawful, the Court should vacate his entire sentence and re-sentence him under all counts. (Doc. # 6, p. 3). Movant accurately states that the Court has “broad and flexible power in correcting invalid convictions or sentences.” Gardiner v. United States, 114 F.3d 734, 736 (8th Cir. 1997). While this Court may have the power to re-sentence Movant under the other counts, Movant cites no authority, and this Court knows of none, that requires such an action. Id. Instead, the law cited by Movant stands for the proposition that when one sentence in a multi-count judgment is rendered invalid, the court may resentence on other related counts as well. Id. This is because “a district court’s original sentencing intent may be undermined by altering one portion of the calculus____ [0]n remand, the trial court can reconfigure the sentencing plan ... to satisfy the sentencing factors.” Pepper v. United States, 562 U.S. 476, 507, 131 S.Ct. 1229, 179 L.Ed.2d 196 (2011) (internal citations and quotations omitted) (second omission in original). In this case, this Court believes that its original sentencing intent is maintained by upholding the sentences of 180 months imposed in Counts I—III. Thus, this Court declines to invalidate Movant’s entire sentence and re-sentence him under all counts.
IV. EVIDENTIARY HEARING AND CERTIFICATE OF APPEALA-BILITY
A movant is not entitled to an evi-dentiary hearing on a § 2255 motion if the motion and the files and record of the case conclusively show he is entitled to no relief. Anjulo-Lopez v. United States, 541 F.3d 814, 817 (8th Cir. 2008). No hearing is required “where the claim is inadequate on its face or if the record affirmatively refutes the factual assertions upon which it is based.” Watson v. United States, 493 F.3d 960, 963 (8th Cir. 2007). It is clear, from the above discussion, an evidentiary hearing is not necessary to resolve Mov-ant’s claims. Movant’s claims fail as a matter of law.
CONCLUSION
While Movant’s sentence under Count IV was improperly imposed in light of the Supreme Court’s opinion in Johnson, his sentence as a whole was not illegal because it did not exceed the statutory range. Even without the 180 month sentence under Count IV, Movant was sentenced to three additional, concurrent 180 month sentences under Counts I — III. Thus, Mov-ant fails to demonstrate a basis under § 2255 to set aside, vacate, or correct his sentence. Additionally, this Court declines to use its discretionary power to resen-tence Movant on his other counts. Further, there is no need for an evidentiary hearing, and no certificate of appealability shall be issued. For these reasons and the reasons set forth above, Movant’s Motion is DENIED, no evidentiary hearing is necessary, and no certificate of appealability shall be issued.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
. In his Reply Brief, Movant also moves to amend his Motion "t'o include a request that the Court vacate his entire sentence, instead of just his sentence under. Count IV. (Doc, # 6, p, 1). § 2255 motions "may be amended or supplemented as provided in the rules of procedure applicable to civil actions.” ' 28 U.S.C. § 2242. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(a)(2), a party may amend its pleading with leave of the court. "The court should freely give leave [to amend] when justice so requires.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 15(a)(2). Because Movant did not have the assistance of counsel until he filed his Reply Brief, this Court GRANTS Movant’s Motion and addresses his argument below.
. Movant’s other two predicate offenses, burglary and robbery, qualify as predicate offenses without the use of the residual clause, and therefore are not affected by the Supreme 'Court’s decision in Johnson. See 18 U.S.C'. § 924(e)(2)(B).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Frank T. MARTIN, Movant v. United States
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- Published