Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_12-cv-00013/USCOURTS-azd-2_12-cv-00013-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 510
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Vacate Sentence
Cause of Action: 28:2255 Motion to Vacate / Correct Illegal Sentence

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Movant’s § 2255 Motion is simply a request for a reduction in his sentence; it does

not contain any factual or legal arguments.

TERMPSREF

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WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

United States of America, 

Plaintiff,

v.

Ramon Alcantar-Gonzalez, 

Defendant/Movant. 

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No. CV 12-013-PHX-DGC (DKD)

No. CR 11-1252-PHX-DGC

ORDER

Movant Ramon Alcantar-Gonzalez, who is confined in the Corrections Corporation

of America-Florence Correctional Center, has filed a pro se Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255

to Vacate, Set Aside or Correct Sentence by a Person in Federal Custody (“Motion”). The

Court will grant the Motion, order the appointment of counsel, and set a status hearing.

I. Factual and Procedural Background

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Movant pled guilty to Importation of Heroin, in

violation of 21 U.S.C. § 952(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A). On December 12, 2011, the Court

sentenced movant to a 108-month term of imprisonment followed by 4 years on supervised

release. On January 3, 2012, Movant filed his § 2255 Motion.1

 Although not formally

served with the Motion, on March 16, 2012, the Government filed a Response.

II. Government’s Response

In its Response, the Government states that there is now newly discovered information

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which, if known prior to Defendant’s change of plea hearing, would have resulted in a lower

sentence. Specifically, the Government states that on February 2, 2012, counsel received

notice from the case agent that the seized drugs had recently been tested at the Drug

Enforcement Agency Southwest Laboratory and that, contrary to field test results, the

laboratory test revealed the drugs were cocaine, not heroin. The Government further states

that “upon request from . . . counsel, the case agent confirmed with a lab supervisor that the

drugs were tested in accordance with DEA policy and did, in fact, test positive for cocaine.”

The Government further states that the corrected factual basis will result in a final offense

level of 27, with an adjusted sentencing range of 70 to 87 months. The Government states

that at the time of re-sentencing, it will recommend a sentence of 70 months.

III. Appointment of Counsel and Status Hearing

Based on the newly discovered evidence offered in the Government’s Response, the

Court will grant Movant’s § 2255 Motion, will appoint counsel to represent Movant, and will

set a date to conduct a status hearing.

The Court will direct the Clerk of Court to send the Federal Public Defender a copy

of this Order and the Government’s March 16, 2012 Response for the purpose of selecting

counsel to represent Movant under the Criminal Justice Act (“CJA”). See General Order 07-

08 at 13. The Federal Public Defender must first contact Movant’s sentencing counsel, John

R. Minore of Edgar & Minore PC, to determine whether Mr. Minore is able to accept

appointment in this action. If Mr. Minore is unavailable, the Federal Public Defender shall

select counsel for appointment from its office or locate an available CJA panel member. Id.

Within 30 days of the filing date of this Order, the selected attorney must file a Notice

of Appearance. 

The Court will set a status hearing for Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 3:00 p.m.

Before the status hearing, the Government shall file a memorandum stating whether

re-sentencing is sufficient in this case, or whether there also must be an amendment of the

indictment that presumably charged Defendant importation of heroin.

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IT IS ORDERED:

(1) Movant’s January 3, 2012 Motion pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (Doc. 1 in CV

12-13-PHX-DGC (DKD) and Doc. 33 in CR 11-1252-PHX-DGC) is granted; the December

16, 2011 Judgment of Conviction is vacated.

(2) The Clerk of Court must close the civil case opened in connection with this

action, CV 12-13-PHX-DGC (DKD), and enter judgment.

(3) A status hearing in CR 11-1252 is set for Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 3:00

p.m.

(4) The Clerk of Court must send to the Federal Public Defender for the District

of Arizona, by certified mail, a copy of this Order and the Government’s March 16, 2012

Response (Doc. 34 in CR 11-1252) for the purpose of selecting counsel to represent Movant

pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act. The Federal Public Defender must contact Movant’s

sentencing counsel, John R. Minore, to determine whether Mr. Minore is available to

represent Movant in further proceedings. If Mr. Minore is unavailable, the Federal Public

Defender must locate counsel to represent Movant in accordance with General Order 07-08.

(5) Within 30 days of the filing date of this Order, the selected attorney must file

a notice of appearance in CR 11-1252-PHX-DGC (DKD).

DATED this 27th day of April, 2012.

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