Source: http://ky.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180307_0000223.EKY.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 14:32:13+00:00

Document:
This matter is before the Court upon Magistrate Judge Robert E. Wier's Recommended Disposition (also known as a “Report and Recommendation, ” or “R&R”) [R. 240] on the motion to vacate [R. 210] filed pro se by Brian Hamilton, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. The motion was fully briefed, and, on November 9, 2017, Judge Wier appointed CJA counsel to represent Hamilton on his motion. [R. 221] An evidentiary hearing was held on December 15, 2017. [R. 230.] Judge Wier issued his R&R on January 22, 2018, recommending that the Court grant Hamilton § 2255 relief. [R. 240 at 1.] For the reasons stated below, the Defendant's Motion to Vacate [R. 210] will be DENIED IN PART and GRANTED IN PART.
Brian Hamilton filed a motion to vacate pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 seeking habeas relief for certain alleged sentencing errors and ineffective assistance of counsel. [R. 240.] The Magistrate Judge conducted an evidentiary hearing on the issues raised in Hamilton's motion to vacate and, thereafter, issued a written R&R wherein he recommends granting Hamilton habeas relief solely on the ineffective assistance of counsel claim. [R. 230; R. 240.] In his recommendation, Magistrate Judge Wier thoroughly set out his proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. [R. 240.] Judge Wier's Recommended Disposition advised the parties that any objection to the R&R must be filed within fourteen days. [Id. at 27.] The time to file objections has passed, and neither party has objected nor sought an extension of time to do so.
Generally, this Court must make a de novo determination of those portions of the Recommended Disposition to which objections are made. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(c). When no objections are made, as in this case, this Court is not required to “review . . . a magistrate's factual or legal conclusions, under a de novo or any other standard.” See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 151 (1985). Parties who fail to object to a magistrate judge's report and recommendation are also barred from appealing a district court's order adopting that report and recommendation. United States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947 (6th Cir. 1981). Nevertheless, this Court has examined the record and agrees with Magistrate Judge Wier's Recommended Disposition.
In calculating a criminal defendant's sentencing guidelines, the Court may only grant the third level reduction for acceptance of responsibility when presented with a motion from the Government. See U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual § 3E1.1(b) (U.S. Sentencing Comm'n 2016). Although the Magistrate Judge recommends granting § 2255 habeas relief based on the ineffective assistance of Hamilton's trial counsel, the Court still has not been presented with a motion from the Government to grant Hamilton the third level reduction for acceptance.

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