Source: http://ca10.washburnlaw.edu/cases/2000/08/00-6038.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 03:51:19+00:00

Document:
The only questions raised in this appeal are legal and we accordingly review the decision of the district court de novo. Our review of the BOP's action related to the § 3621(b)(e)(2)(B) challenge is limited to determining "whether the BOP exceeded its statutory authority." Fristoe v. Thompson, 144 F.3d 627, 630-31 (10th Cir. 1998). See also Taylor v. United States Bureau of Prisons, No. 98-3176, 1999 WL 84249, at **2 (10th Cir. Feb. 22, 1999) (applying limited review to BOP decision that conviction for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm was a crime of violence for purposes of § 3621(e)(2)(B)). The § 4042(b) question, however, does not implicate a duly enacted agency regulation, and we therefore address that issue without any deference to the BOP's interpretation. See Royce v. Hahn, 151 F.3d 116, 123 (3d Cir. 1998).
The period a prisoner convicted of a nonviolent offense remains in custody after successfully completing a treatment program may be reduced by the Bureau of Prisons, but such reduction may not be more than one year from the term the prisoner must otherwise serve.
The BOP has interpreted this provision as a grant of discretionary authority to reduce sentences unless the prisoner has been convicted of a "crime of violence." 28 C.F.R. § 550.58(a)(1)(vi)(B), the regulation interpreting § 3621(e)(2)(B), specifically excludes from sentence reduction eligibility those inmates who have been convicted of a felony that "involved the carrying, possession, or use of a firearm . . . ." See also BOP Program Statement 5162.04 (1997).
Mr. Sutherland's second claim involves the notification provision of 18 U.S.C. § 4042(b), which requires the BOP to give notice to local law enforcement at least five days before releasing a prisoner into the local community. This requirement applies to all prisoners who have been convicted of "a crime of violence (as defined in section 924(c)(3))." 18 U.S.C. § 4042(b)(3)(B). Mr. Sutherland criminal history includes several burglaries, including a 1977 Texas conviction for "Burglary of a Building." The sole question we address is whether this burglary conviction is properly characterized as a crime of violence under § 924(c)(3).
We GRANT the motion to proceed in forma pauperis, and AFFIRM.
1.Mr. Sutherland also sought relief in the district court from a BOP decision that he has a conviction for aggressive or intimidating behavior. However, this issue is not raised on appeal and we need not address it.
2.Despite Mr. Sutherland's contentions to the contrary, the BOP's action does not conflict with our decisions in Ward v. Booker, 202 F.3d 1249 (10th Cir. 2000) and Fristoe v. Thompson, 144 F.3d 627 (10th Cir. 1998). Those cases held that the BOP may not consider sentencing factors in determining whether a prisoner had committed a crime of violence. Because the BOP based its decision upon Mr. Sutherland's conviction, rather than any sentencing enhancements, neither Fristoe nor Ward is relevant.
3.Our decisions in United States v. Smith, 10 F.3d 724 (10th Cir. 1993) and United States v. Bennett, 108 F.3d 1315 (10th Cir. 1997) are not to the contrary. Both of those cases involved the interpretation of a "crime of violence" under § 4B1.2 of the Sentencing Guidelines. In key part, § 4B1.2(a)(2) only includes burglaries of a dwelling or those which involve "conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another." Noticably absent from this definition is the substantial risk to the property of another. Therefore, neither of those cases is determinative for § 924(c)(3)(B).

References: § 3621
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 § 4042
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 § 550
 § 3621
 § 4042
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 § 924
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 § 4
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 § 924