Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_16-cv-02533/USCOURTS-casd-3_16-cv-02533-0/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

---

1 

15CR926-LAB-1 and 16CV2533-LAB

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff, 

v. 

DULCE LLASMIN ZAZUETAACOSTA, 

Defendant.

Case No.: 15CR926-LAB-1 and 

16CV2533-LAB

ORDER DENYING PETITION 

UNDER 28 U.S.C. 2255

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Petitioner Dulce Llasmin Zazueta-Acosta pled 

guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and was 

sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment followed by 10 years’ supervised release.

In her plea agreement, she waived appeal and collateral attack, other than claims 

based on ineffective assistance of counsel. (Docket no. 29 (Plea Agreement) at 

12:3–20.) 

She then filed a motion under 28 U.S.C. ' 2255. Apparently, realizing she 

had waived all other claims, she has labeled all her claims as based on ineffective 

assistance of counsel. The things she contends her counsel should have done, 

however, are either things her counsel had no power to do, or things her counsel 

did do.

Case 3:16-cv-02533-LAB Document 2 Filed 04/02/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 1 of 4
2 

15CR926-LAB-1 and 16CV2533-LAB

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Petitioner first claims the government promised her that she would receive a 

safety valve adjustment pursuant to U.S.S.G. 2D1.1(b)(16). (Docket no. 42 at 4.) 

Although she labels this an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the only thing 

she says her counsel did wrong was to fail to ensure that the Court gave her the 

benefit of safety valve. (Id.) She does not claim she was misled into pleading 

guilty or agreeing to the plea agreement, or that she did not understand it. She is 

not seeking to set aside the plea agreement or withdraw her plea. Instead, she 

asks the Court to resentence her, giving her the benefit of the promises she claims 

the government made to her. (Id.) 

The record shows Petitioner’s representations are incorrect. Even 

assuming, arguendo, she was told or believed she was told she would definitely 

receive the benefit of safety valve, she was disabused of that misapprehension

when she was presented with the plea agreement, which she understood and 

signed. The record shows that, as of the time she agreed to plead guilty, she knew 

she was not being promised safety valve during sentencing. See Plea Agreement 

at 8:6–21 (confirming that sentence was within the judge’s sole discretion, that the 

plea agreement was not binding on the Court, and that no promises as to the 

sentence were being made); 8:22–9:19 (setting conditions for the government’s 

recommendation of safety valve, and explaining that Petitioner might not qualify 

for it); 15:1–6 (representing that Petitioner read the agreement, discussed it with 

counsel, and fully understands it). See also Docket no. 27, & 18 (Magistrate 

Judge’s findings that Petitioner’s guilty plea was made knowingly and voluntarily, 

and did not result from any promises other than those made in the plea 

agreement).

Petitioner knew the government might not recommend safety valve. And in 

any event she knew her counsel had no power to ensure that the Court gave it. 

And in this case, it was not warranted; she did not qualify for it because of her role 

/ / /

Case 3:16-cv-02533-LAB Document 2 Filed 04/02/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 2 of 4
3 

15CR926-LAB-1 and 16CV2533-LAB

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

in the offense. (See Docket no. 34 (Defendant’s Sentencing Memorandum) at 

2:11–12.)

She also says that both her counsel and the government assured her that 

she would be sentenced under the new drug guidelines. She believes this did not 

happen, and that she is entitled to a two-level reduction under Amendment 782, 

which became effective November 1, 2014. The fact is, both counsel did calculate 

her guidelines using the manual she says they promised to use. (See Docket nos. 

35, 37.) Petitioner imported 4,962 grams of actual meth. (See Docket no. 29 at 

4:16–20 (Plea Agreement admitting Petitioner imported over 4.5 kilograms of 

actual methamphetamine and her base level offense was 38) and 37 

(Government’s sentencing summary chart giving the amount as 4,962 grams of 

actual methamphetamine). So, under the guidelines as amended by Amendment 

782, her base level offense was 38. That is what both sides told the Court it was. 

(See Docket nos. 35, 37.) In other words, counsel for both sides did exactly what 

Petitioner claims they said they would.

Finally, Petitioner claims her own counsel was ineffective for failing to make 

sure she would be able to participate in the “FBOP Drug Program or alternative.” 

(Docket nos. 42 at 6.) She admits the Court made that recommendation. (Id.; see 

also Docket no. 41 at 2 (Court’s recommendation to Bureau of Prisons that 

Petitioner be evaluated to participate in Residential Drug Assessment Program).) 

Petitioner’s counsel has no power to have the Bureau of Prisons admit her to this 

program; not even the Court has that power. Petitioner’s counsel was not 

ineffective for failing to do the impossible. 

The record shows that Petitioner’s counsel was not ineffective, and Petitioner 

is entitled to no relief. The Petition is DENIED. 

/ / /

/ / /

/ / /

Case 3:16-cv-02533-LAB Document 2 Filed 04/02/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 3 of 4
4 

15CR926-LAB-1 and 16CV2533-LAB

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Because she has not made a substantial showing of violation of her 

constitutional rights, a certificate of appealability is also DENIED. See 28 U.S.C. 

§ 2253(c)(2).

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: April 2, 2018

Hon. Larry Alan Burns

United States District Judge

Case 3:16-cv-02533-LAB Document 2 Filed 04/02/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 4 of 4