Case ID: f-appx_400/html/0925-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM: \n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff—Appellee v. Samuel CHARLES, III, Defendant—Appellant.
    No. 08-30640
    Summary Calendar.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
    Nov. 5, 2010.
    Cristina Walker, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Louisiana, Shreveport, LA, John L. Walker, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
    Carol B. Whitehurst, Federal Public Defender’s Office Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA, for Defendant-Appellant.
    Before BARKSDALE, DENNIS, and OWEN, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM:

Samuel Charles, III, federal prisoner # 11592-035, pleaded guilty in 2003 to distribution of crack cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B). He appeals the district court’s summary denial of its sua sponte 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) motion to reduce Charles’ sentence based upon the Guidelines range for crack-cocaine offenses being lowered by Amendment 706. Charles contends the district court erred in not reducing his sentence by failing to: (1) address the sentencing factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a); and (2) provide him an opportunity to be heard.

Although § 3582(c)(2) directs district courts to consider the sentencing factors of § 3553(a), the reasonableness standard of United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), does not apply to § 3582(c)(2) proceedings. United States v. Evans, 587 F.3d 667, 671-72 (5th Cir.2009) (citing United States v. Doublin, 572 F.3d 235, 238 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, - U.S. -, 130 S.Ct. 517, 175 L.Ed.2d 366 (2009)), cert. denied,, — U.S. -, 130 S.Ct. 3462, 177 L.Ed.2d 1064 (2010). Instead, the district court’s decision whether to reduce a sentence under § 3582(c)(2) is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. See United States v. Cooley, 590 F.3d 293, 295 (5th Cir.2009).

In exercising its discretion under § 3582(c)(2), the district court is required to consider: (1) the § 3553(a) sentencing factors, (2) the nature and seriousness of the potential danger to the community if defendant’s sentence is reduced, and (B) defendant’s post-sentencing conduct. U.S.S.G. § 1B1.10 cmt. n. lB(i)-(iii). The district court explicitly considered the last two factors in denying the motion, emphasizing Charles’ criminal history and post-sentencing disciplinary infractions. By focusing on Charles’ criminal history, the district court implicitly weighed the § 3553(a) factors; it was not required to explain its consideration of them. See Cooley, 590 F.3d at 298 (“[A] court is not required to state findings of fact and conclusions of law when denying a § 3582(c)(2) motion”.) (emphasis added) (internal quotations omitted).

Finally, the court did not err in denying the motion without conducting a hearing because there were no contested issues of fact to be resolved. Where a proceeding involves only the correction or reduction of a sentence under § 3582(c), defendant’s presence is not required. See Fed. R.CmmP. 43(b)(4); see also United States v. Patterson, 42 F.3d 246, 248-49 (5th Cir.1994) (citing United States v. Moree, 928 F.2d 654, 655 (5th Cir.1991)) (“[A] defendant is not entitled to be present when the district court merely modifies an existing sentence”.)

AFFIRMED. 
      
       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.