Garcia v. United States
Garcia v. United States
Opinion of the Court
ORDER
I. Introduction
On or about May 28, 2002, Petitioner Raymond Garcia (“Petitioner” or “Garcia”), appearing pro se, filed a petition to “vacate, set aside, or correct” his current sentence (in SI 00 Cr. 1138), pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (“Petitioner’s Motion”).
On or about September 11, 2002, United States Magistrate Judge Douglas F. Eaton, to whom this matter had been referred, issued a report and recommendation (“Report”), recommending that Petitioner’s Motion be denied. Report at 1. The Magistrate concluded correctly that Petitioner’s sentence was in accordance with applicable law, including the United States Sentencing Guidelines (“U.S.S.G.”), and that Petitioner had waived his right to appeal or otherwise litigate his sentence in the Plea Agreement he signed on or about April 11, 2001 (“Plea Agreement”). Id. at 9.
The Report advised the parties that “[pjursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and
II. Standard of Review
A district court evaluating a Magistrate’s report may adopt those portions of the report to which no “specific, written objection” is made, as long as those sections are not clearly erroneous. Fed. R.Civ.P. 72(b); Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 149, 106 S.Ct. 466, 88 L.Ed.2d 435 (1985); Greene v. WCI Holdings Corp., 956 F.Supp. 509, 513 (S.D.N.Y. 1997). “Where a party makes a ‘specific written objection’ within ‘[ten] days after being served with a copy of the [magistrate judge’s] recommended disposition,’ however, the district court is required to make a de novo determination regarding those parts of the report.” Cespedes v. Coughlin, 956 F.Supp. 454, 463 (S.D.N.Y. 1997) (quoting United States v. Raddatz, 447 U.S. 667, 676, 100 S.Ct. 2406, 65 L.Ed.2d 424 (1980)). A district judge may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings and recommendations of the Magistrate. See DeLuca v. Lord, 858 F.Supp. 1330, 1345 (S.D.N.Y. 1994); Walker v. Hood, 679 F.Supp. 372, 374 (S.D.N.Y. 1988). Where, as here, the petitioner is proceeding pro se, “leniency is generally accorded.” Bey v. Human Resources Admin., 1999 WL 31122, at *2 (E.D.N.Y. Jan.12 1999).
III. Analysis
The facts as set forth in the Report are incorporated herein by reference.
Although no objections have been received, the Court has, in fact, conducted a de novo review of the Report, the underlying record herein, as well as appropriate legal authorities and finds that the Report is supported by the record, is in conformity with the law, and is not (clearly) erroneous. See Pizarro v. Bartlett, 776 F.Supp. 815, 817 (S.D.N.Y. 1991).
(i) Petitioner’s Sentence
On April 11, 2001, Petitioner pled guilty to a one-count Superseding Information charging him with a violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 812, 841(a) and 81(b)(1)(c), “in connection with his distribution, and possession with intent to distribute, of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of cocaine base on or about April 18, 2000.” Plea Agreement at 1; April 11, 2001 Hearing Transcript (“4/11/01 Tr.”), at 23-24. Based upon an offense level of 32 and a criminal history category TV and pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 6B1.4, Petitioner’s sentencing guidelines range was calculated by the Court to be 151 to 188 months imprisonment. November 5, 2001 Hearing Transcript (“11/5/01 Tr.”) at 19. The Government and Petitioner had “stipulated” to a sentencing guidelines range of 121 to 151 months in the Plea Agreement. The Plea Agreement also reserved Petitioner’s right to move for a downward departure based upon “extraordinary rehabilitation pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 5K2.0.” Id. at 4.
(ii) Downward Departure Application
At Petitioner’s sentencing on November 11, 2001, Petitioner did, in fact, apply for a downward departure for “extraordinary rehabilitation.” 11/5/01 Tr. at 8-11. The Government challenged the application, citing several incidents of post-plea misconduct by the Petitioner, including,
(iii) Waiver
The Plea Agreement also contained a waiver of appeal rights as follows:
(i) ... the defendant will neither appeal, nor otherwise litigate under Title 28, United States Code, Section 2255, any sentence within or below the stipulated Sentencing Guidelines range set forth above (121 to 151 months) ... This provision is binding on the parties even if the Court employs a Guidelines analysis different from that stipulated to herein.
Plea Agreement at 5.
On the date of Petitioner’s plea, the Court asked Petitioner if he understood that the Plea Agreement contained a provision which barred him from challenging his sentence if the Court sentenced him within the stipulated guideline range:
The Court: Mr. Garcia, there is a provision in [the Plea Agreement] that if I sentence you within the stipulated guideline range, namely, between 121 months and 151 months, that you give up your right to appeal in this case, do you realize that?
The Defendant: Yes.
The Court: You won’t be able to challenge if I sentence you in that range of 121 to 151 months?
The Defendant: Yes.
4/11/01 Tr. at 21. The Court also found that the Petitioner was “fully aware of the potential consequences that result from his waiving his appeal rights as reflected in the plea agreement dated April 10, 2001, and that he has done so voluntarily.” Id. at 24.
(iv) Diminished Capacity
Petitioner now seeks to challenge his sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, alleging that his trial counsel was ineffective “for failing to obtain Appellate review of the Sentencing Court’s denial of a downward departure for diminish[ed][c]apacity,” see Petitioner’s Memorandum at 2, although neither the Plea Agreement nor the PSI provided the basis for a downward depar
“ ‘Significantly reduced mental capacity’ means the defendant, although convicted, has a significantly impaired ability to (A) understand the wrongfulness of the behavior comprising the offense or to exercise the power of reason; or (B) control behavior that the defendant knows is wrongful.” United States Sentencing Commission, Guidelines Manual, § 5K2.13 comment n. 1 (Nov. 2002).
IV. Conclusion and Order
The Court incorporates Magistrate Eaton’s Report by reference, and, for the reasons therein and herein, Petitioner’s Motion pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 is denied.
. 28 U.S.C. § 2255 relates, in part, to: "[a] prisoner in custody under sentence of a court established by Act of Congress claiming the right to be released upon the ground that the sentence was imposed in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States ...
Petitioner is currently serving a 151 month sentence imposed by this Court.
. The Plea Agreement did not mention a departure based upon "diminished capacity.”
. The Court also considered the' presentenc-ing investigation report ("PSI”), dated August 30, 2001, which recommended a two-point offense level increase for obstruction of justice based on Petitioner’s post-plea misconduct, id. at 11.
. “[T]o establish diminished capacity a defendant must establish both 'reduced mental capacity and a causal link between that reduced capacity and the commission of the charged offense.’ ” United States v. Silleg, 311 F.3d 557, 561 (2nd Cir. 2002) (quoting United States v. Prescott, 920 F.2d 139, 146 (2d Cir. 1990) (drug conspiracy)).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Raymond GARCIA v. United States
- Status
- Published