United States v. Fearce

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States v. Fearce, 400 F. App'x 936 (5th Cir. 2010)

United States v. Fearce

Opinion

PER CURIAM: *

Damidrick Deshone Fearce moves for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) on appeal from the district court’s denial of his 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) motion for a sentence reduction. Fearce’s IFP motion is construed as a challenge to the district court’s determination that his appeal was not taken in good faith. See Baugh v. Taylor, 117 F.3d 197, 199-202 (5th Cir. 1997).

Although Fearce argues that he is eligible for a sentence reduction and that the district court should consider several issues on resentencing, Fearce does not challenge the district court’s sole basis for denying his § 3582(c) motion — the court’s determination that Fearce was not eligible for a sentence reduction because he had been sentenced to the statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 240 months. Fearce’s failure to challenge the district court’s legal analysis or its application in his case, “[i]n practical effect, ... is the same as if he had not appealed that judgment.” Brinkmann v. Dallas Cnty. Deputy Sheriff Abner, 813 F.2d 744, 748 (5th Cir. 1987). Although pro se briefs are afforded liberal construction, Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520-21, 92 S.Ct. 594, 30 L.Ed.2d 652 (1972) (per curiam), arguments must be briefed in order to be preserved. Yohey v. Collins, 985 F.2d 222, 224-25 (5th Cir. 1993).

Fearce has abandoned any challenge to basis of the district court’s denial of his § 3582(c) motion. See Brinkmann, 813 F.2d at 748. Consequently, the appeal lacks any issue of arguable merit. See Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 220 (5th Cir. 1983). Fearce’s IFP motion is DENIED and his appeal is DISMISSED as frivolous. See Baugh, 117 F.3d at 202; 5th Cir. R. 42.2.

IFP DENIED; APPEAL DISMISSED.

*

Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.

Reference

Full Case Name
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff—Appellee v. Damidrick Deshone FEARCE, Defendant—Appellant
Status
Unpublished