Source: http://mt.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180730_0001881.DMT.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 14:16:45+00:00

Document:
SUSAN P. WATTERS UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT JUDGE.
This case comes before the Court on Defendant/Movant Earl Samuel Walters' motion to vacate, set aside, or correct his sentence, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Walters is a federal prisoner proceeding pro se.
Before the United States is required to respond, the Court must determine whether "the motion and the files and records of the case conclusively show that the prisoner is entitled to no relief." 28 U.S.C. § 2255(b); see also Rule 4(b), Rules Governing Section 2255 Proceedings for the United States District Courts. A petitioner "who is able to state facts showing a real possibility of constitutional error should survive Rule 4 review." Calderon v. United States Dist Court, 98 F.3d 1102, 1109 (9th Cir. 1996) ("Nicolas") (Schroeder, C.J., concurring) (referring to Rules Governing § 2254 Cases). But the Court should "eliminate the burden that would be placed on the respondent by ordering an unnecessary answer." Advisory Committee Note (1976), Rule 4, Rules Governing § 2254 Cases, cited in Advisory Committee Note (1976), Rule 4, Rules Governing § 2255 Proceedings.
Walters pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute it, a violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1). A charge of being a felon in possession of a weapon was dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement. Walters was sentenced to serve 45 months and 15 days in prison, concurrent with a North Dakota sentence, and followed by a three-year term of supervised release. See Am. Judgment (Doc. 49) at 1-3.
Walters asserts he should not have received a two-level enhancement in his sentencing guideline calculation for possession of a firearm. The enhancement applies "[i]f a dangerous weapon (including a firearm) was possessed." U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(1) (Nov. 1, 2015). It "reflects the increased danger of violence when drug traffickers possess weapons" and "should be applied if the weapon was present, unless it is clearly improbable that the weapon was connected with the [drug] offense." U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1 cmt. n.ll(A).
A search of Walters' vehicle located small amounts of marijuana and methamphetamine, $110, 000 in cash, and a .22-caliber rifle and two pistols, one .40-caliber and one .45-caliber, as well as several rounds of ammunition suitable for weapons of these calibers. See Presentence Report ¶¶ 11, 24. Although Walters insisted he only accepted firearms as collateral for money debts, see Change of Plea Tr. (Doc. 59) at 27:16-24, there is no reason to suppose these debts were not drug debts, see Presentence Report ¶¶ 95, 99-103. It was not "clearly improbable" that the firearms in his vehicle were connected to his drug trafficking.
Walters is correct that the United States dismissed a felon in possession charge pursuant to the plea agreement. See Plea Agreement (Doc. 37) at 2 ¶ 2; 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1); Presentence Report ¶¶ 41, 43-48, 51, 53 (listing nine felony convictions). But its dismissal is not relevant to the enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2D 1.1 (b)(1). The enhancement has long applied even to people who are never charged with felon in possession or any other crime connecting drug trafficking with firearms. See, e.g., United States v. Restrepo, 884 F.2d 1294, 1295-96 (9th Cir. 1989).
Nelson v. Colorado, __ U.S. __, 137 S.Ct. 1249, 1252 (2017), cited in Supp. (Doc. 60) at 1-2, has no bearing on § 2D 1.1 (b)(1) of the guidelines. The enhancement does not depend on a conviction or even a charge, and dismissal of a charge is not an acquittal or a decision that a conviction is or would be invalid.

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