Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-4_04-cv-00735/USCOURTS-ared-4_04-cv-00735-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

 EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

 WESTERN DIVISION

JAMES CHARLES POE, III PETITIONER

v. NO. 4:04CV00735 JFF

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RESPONDENT

 ORDER

Before the Court is the Petitioner's motion to reconsider judgment (# 17).

On November 7, 1997, Petitioner, pursuant to a plea agreement with the United

States, entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to utter forged and counterfeit securities

in this Court in case number 4:97-CR-00072. On January 21, 1998, Petitioner was

sentenced to fifteen months’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, restitution

in the amount of $10,125.15, and a $100.00 special assessment.

On May 19, 2004, Petitioner was convicted of conspiracy to possess counterfeit

checks and possession of implements for making counterfeit securities after a jury trial

in this Court in case number 4:03-CR-00020. On December 2, 2004, Petitioner was

sentenced to a total of seventy-one months’ imprisonment, a $6,000.00 fine, restitution

in the amount of $17,743.68, and a $200.00 assessment. The judgment and

commitment order was issued on December 3, 2004. On December 8 and 15, 2004,

Petitioner filed notices of appeal from the judgment. On January 7, 2005, Petitioner

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was delivered to FCI, Forrest City, for service of his sentence. 

On July 30, 2004, prior to being sentenced on his convictions for conspiracy to

possess counterfeit checks and possession of implements for making counterfeit

securities, Petitioner filed his habeas petition pursuant to § 2241 and § 2255 in this

Court alleging the following grounds for relief:

1. His federal prosecution on the charges of conspiracy to possess

counterfeit checks and possession of implements for making counterfeit

securities violates the prohibition against double jeopardy because an

order of nolle prosequi was entered in Conway County Circuit Court on

January 14, 2004;

2. A pre-trial prejudicial statement was brought to the attention of the

district court before trial on May 17, 2004, and entered into the record;

3. The AUSA impeded the due administration of justice and

obstructed justice by using a paid informant;

4. The AUSA did not provide notice to Petitioner that she would

consider the issue of whether accessory after the fact constitutes

obstruction of justice so the issue was not briefed, and the AUSA did not

respond before trial to Petitioner’s motion for discovery and his request

for Brady material;

5. The AUSA exposed Petitioner to multiple trials on or about May

18, 2004; 

6. Appointed counsel, John C. Stratford, violated Fed. R. Crim. P.

44(c); and

7. Jana Harris, attorney for the Government, breached the plea

agreement in case number 4:97-CR-00072.

On May 4, 2005, this Court entered an order and judgment dismissing

Petitioner’s petition without prejudice. The Court found that it was precluded from

considering Claims 1 through 6 until the Petitioner’s appeal in 4:03-CR-00020 was

resolved. With respect to Claim 7, the Court found that Petitioner was not in custody

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under the conviction and sentence in 4:97-CR-00072 and the Court lacked jurisdiction

under either § 2241 or § 2255 to entertain the claim. On May 27, 2005, Petitioner filed

his motion to reconsider judgment.

The Court finds that Petitioner has not stated a valid basis under either Fed. R.

Civ. P. 59 or Fed. R. Civ. P. 60 for this Court to alter or reconsider its judgment of May

4, 2005. Accordingly, the Court denies Petitioner’s motion to reconsider judgment.

IT IS SO ORDERED 13th day of July, 2005.

 

 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

 

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