Source: http://ok.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180503_0000187.EOK.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-10-22 02:12:42
Document Index: 702272064

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 846', '§ 3', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255']

SHAWN ASHLEY DEATHERAGE, Petitioner/Defendant,
Before the Court is Petitioner/Defendant Shawn Ashley Deatherage's (“Defendant”) motion to vacate, set aside, or correct sentence by a person in federal custody brought pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (Dkt. 1; Dkt. 249 in Case No. 15-CR-68-1). The Government has filed a sealed Response in Opposition (Dkt. 6). Defendant seeks relief based on Amendment 794 to the United States Sentencing Guidelines (“USSG”). For the reasons cited herein, Defendant's motion pursuant to § 2255 is DENIED.
On November 12, 2015, pursuant to a written plea agreement, Defendant pleaded guilty to the charge of Drug Conspiracy in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A) (Count One). (Dkt. 110 in Case No. 15-CR-68-1 (Minutes of Change of Plea Hearing)). At that time, the Government agreed to dismiss Counts Two through Five against Defendant at sentencing. (Id.).
In advance of sentencing, the United States Probation Office prepared a Presentence Investigation Report (“PSR”) as to Defendant on January 29, 2016, based on the 2015 USSG Manual. The PSR did not recommend a “minor participant” reduction, which grants a two point reduction to defendants who are found to be “substantially less culpable than the average participant in the criminal activity.” USSG § 3B1.2, comment n. 3(A) (2015). (See PSR ¶ 38 (recommending no adjustment for Defendant's role in the offense)). Neither the Government nor the Defendant objected to the PSR.
On June 9, 2016, the Court sentenced Defendant to 120 months imprisonment on Count One, and the Government dismissed the remaining counts. (Dkt. 239 in Case No. 15-CR-68-1 (Judgment)). Defendant did not directly appeal her conviction or sentence. Nonetheless, Defendant filed this § 2255 motion on October 17, 2016. In the motion, Defendant argues she is entitled to a “minor role” reduction based on Amendment 794 to the USSG and the Ninth Circuit's interpretation of that Amendment in United States v. Quintero-Levya, 823 F.3d 519 (9th Cir. 2016). Defendant argues she deserves a reduction for her minimal participation, because she was not determined to be a leader, organizer, or manager. (Dkt. 1, at 4).
A federal prisoner may obtain relief under § 2255 only if her sentence (1) was imposed in violation of the Constitution or federal laws, (2) was imposed by a court without jurisdiction to do so, (3) was in excess of the maximum permitted by the law, or (4) is otherwise subject to attack. 28 U.S.C. § 2255(a). Here, Defendant does not raise any possible grounds for reexamination of her sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255.
Defendant seeks to reopen her sentencing pursuant to United States v. Quintero-Levya, 823 F.3d 519 (9th Cir. 2016). In Quintero-Levya, the Ninth Circuit held that Amendment 794 “applies retroactively in direct appeals.” 823 F.3d at 521. The Ninth Circuit expressly declined to examine whether a defendant who has exhausted his or her direct appeal can move to reopen sentencing proceedings under Amendment 794. Id. at 521 n.1. Defendant's § 2255 motion seeks collateral review of her sentence; it is not a direct appeal. Defendant did not appeal her sentence. Even if it were applicable to Defendant's situation, Quintero-Levya was decided in another jurisdiction and therefore has no controlling effect on this Court. Accordingly, the ruling in Quintero-Levya does not apply to Defendant's request for collateral review of her sentence under § 2255.
Finally, the Court notes that Amendment 794 took effect on November 1, 2015. USSG app. C suppl., amend. 794 at 118 (2015). Defendant's final PSR was prepared on January 29, 2016, and Defendant was sentenced on June 9, 2016. The 2015 Guidelines Manual, which incorporated Amendment 794, was used to determine Defendant's sentence, including her role in the offense. (See PSR ¶ 33). Defendant did not object to the PSR. Therefore, Defendant already received the benefit of the amended commentary accompanying the “minor participant” guideline. Defendant's motion is denied.[1]
This Court is required by § 2255 to hold an evidentiary hearing “[u]nless 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 United States v. Marr, 856 F.2d 1471, 1472 (10th Cir. 1988). With this standard as a guide, the Court has thoroughly reviewed the pleadings, files, and record in this case, and from that review, the Court finds the record conclusively shows that Defendant is entitled to no relief on her claims and an evidentiary hearing is unnecessary.