Case ID: f-appx_38/html/0496-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "LUCERO, Circuit Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Gerald G. BURCH, Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 01-3149.
    United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit.
    March 14, 2002.
    Before LUCERO, PORFILIO, and ANDERSON, Circuit Judges.
   ORDER AND JUDGMENT

LUCERO, Circuit Judge.

Gerald G. Burch was convicted after a jury trial of possession with intent to distribute 538 pounds of marijuana and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute the marijuana. After his conviction was affirmed by this Court, Burch filed a motion pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to vacate, set aside, or correct his sentence, which the district court denied. Appellant now seeks a certificate of appealability (“COA”) from this Court, so that he may appeal the district court’s denial of his § 2255 motion. We will only grant a COA if an appellant “has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.” 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). Because Burch has made no such showing, we decline to issue a COA and must dismiss the appeal.

Appellant was convicted of possession of marijuana that was found when the Kansas Highway Patrol searched the semi-tractor/trailer Burch was driving. On appeal, Burch argues that the district court violated his rights under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments by allowing the search and seizure to stand. He also claims that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because his trial counsel did not sufficiently argue the illegality of the search and seizure.

As the district court aptly stated in its thorough decision, the reasonableness of the search and seizure was addressed and affirmed by this Court in our decision on direct appeal. See United States v. Burch, 153 F.3d 1140, 1141-43 (10th Cir.1998). To the extent that Burch argues the reasonableness of the search and seizure in this post-conviction appeal, his argument is foreclosed by our decision in his direct appeal. See United States v. Cox, 83 F.3d 336, 342 (10th Cir.1996). Similarly, to the extent appellant argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because his counsel did not argue the unreasonableness of the search with sufficient vigor, our decision on direct appeal forecloses that argument. To succeed on an ineffective assistance claim, appellant must show prejudice—“a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). Because this Court thoroughly analyzed the reasonableness of the search in this case and held that there was no constitutional violation, Burch, 153 F.3d at 1143, appellant cannot show prejudice. The application for a COA is DENIED, and the appeal is DISMISSED. 
      
       The case is unanimously ordered submitted without oral argument pursuant to Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2) and 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. The Court generally disfavors the citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under the terms and conditions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3.
     
      
      . In a jurisdictional brief ordered by this court, the government conceded that this appeal was timely filed in light of the date that appears on the certificate of service attached to the notice of appeal.
     
      
      . We construe Burch’s "Petition for Rehearing w/Suggestion for Rehearing En Banc” as a petition for initial hearing en banc. The request has been transmitted to all of the judges of the court who are in regular service as required by Fed. R.App. P. 35. No judge in regular active service on the court requested that the court be polled on initial hearing en banc. Accordingly, the petition for initial hearing en banc is denied.