Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-06244/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-06244-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 510
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Vacate Sentence
Cause of Action: 28:2255 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Federal)

---

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

1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

NICK VELARDE, )

)

)

)

Petitioner, )

)

vs. )

)

)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, )

)

)

Respondent. )

)

)

No. CV-F-04-6244 OWW

(No. CR-F-02-5451 OWW) 

ORDER DENYING PETITIONER'S

MOTION TO VACATE, SET ASIDE

OR CORRECT SENTENCE PURSUANT

TO 28 U.S.C. § 2255

On September 1, 2004, petitioner Nick Velarde timely filed a

motion to vacate, set aside, or correct sentence pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 2255.

Petitioner contends that his "sentence that was imposed was

by the USDC, became illegal & unconstitutional, as well as

violating my Sixth Amendment right to a Jury Trial, on

06/24/2004, when the U.S. Supreme Court filed their opinion in

Blakely v. Washington, 124 S.Ct. 2531 (June 24, 2004). The USDC

erred in sentencing me by considering factors not found by a

jury, pursuant to Blakely."

Case 1:04-cv-06244-OWW Document 2 Filed 11/27/06 Page 1 of 2
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

2

Petitioner's motion is without merit. Petitioner pleaded

guilty pursuant to a written Plea Agreement and was sentenced on

September 29, 2003. Petitioner did not file a Notice of Appeal. 

Blakely does not apply retroactively to cases on collateral

review. United States v. Cruz, 423 F.3d 1119 (9th Cir.2005),

cert. denied ___ U.S. ___, 126 S.Ct. 1181 (2006); Schardt v.

Payne, 414 F.3d 1025 (9th Cir.2005).

ACCORDINGLY, as set forth above:

1. Petitioner Nick Velarde's motion to vacate, set aside or

correct sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 27, 2006 /s/ Oliver W. Wanger 

668554 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:04-cv-06244-OWW Document 2 Filed 11/27/06 Page 2 of 2