United States v. Webster

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 97-60781 Summary Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee, versus JOHN WAYNE WEBSTER,

Defendant-Appellant.

____________________________________ Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi USDC No. 2:92-CR-16-2-PR _____________________________________ July 8, 1999

Before WIENER, BARKSDALE and STEWART, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

John Wayne Webster, a federal inmate, argues that the district court erred in denying his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion.

The Government argues that Webster previously filed a § 2255 motion and that his instant motion is successive and should not have been addressed by the district court.

The record reflects that Webster filed a prior § 2255 motion. A prisoner seeking to file a second or successive § 2255 motion in the district court must apply for leave to do so from this court. 28 U.S.C. §§ 2244(b)(3)(A), 2255. This court may authorize the filing of a successive motion only if it determines that the applicant makes a prima facie showing that it satisfies the applicable requirements. 28 U.S.C. § 2244(b)(3)(C); § 2255.

Because Webster did not obtain the authorization of this court to file his successive § 2255 motion, the district court lacked jurisdiction to address the motion on the merits. The denial of the motion is AFFIRMED based on the alternative ground that the district court lacked jurisdiction over the motion. To the extent that a certificate of appealability is required, it is DENIED for the same reasons.