Source: https://casetext.com/case/united-states-v-escobedo-estrada-3
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 11:04:55
Document Index: 425170888

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 3582', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 3582', '§ 3582', '§1', '§ 636']

United States v. Escobedo-Estrada, Case No. 8:07-cr-99-T-23TBM | Casetext
Case No. 8:07-cr-99-T-23TBM (M.D. Fla. Jan. 6, 2016)
United Statesv.Escobedo-Estrada
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA TAMPA DIVISIONJan 6, 2016
Case No. 8:07-cr-99-T-23TBM
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. ROBERTO GOVEO-ZARAGOZA, Defendant.
THIS MATTER is before the Court on Defendant's Affidavit of Indigency (Doc. 592), which is construed as a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal. Defendant has filed a Notice of Appeal (Doc. 570) of the Court's Order (Doc. 563) denying his Motions for Reduction of Sentence Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) in light of Amendment 782 (Docs. 547, 552). The government has not filed a response. As explained below, I recommend that the Motion be denied.
Rule 24 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and 28 U.S.C. § 1915 govern the determination of applications to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal. See Ex parte Chayoon, 2007 WL 1099088, No. 6:06-cv-1812-Orl-19JGG (M.D. Fla. Apr. 10, 2007). Rule 24(a) of the Rules of Appellate Procedure provides in part:
(A) the district court - before or after the notice of appeal is filed - certifies that the appeal is not taken in good faith or finds that the party is not otherwise entitled to proceed in forma pauperis and states in writing its reasons for the certification or finding, or
Fed. R. App. P. 24(a). Similarly, § 1915 provides, in pertinent part:
[A]ny court of the United States may authorize the commencement, prosecution or defense of any suit, action or proceeding, civil or criminal, or appeal therein, without prepayment of fees or security therefor, by a person who submits an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets such prisoner possesses that the person is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor. Such affidavit shall state the nature of the action, defense or appeal and affiant's belief that the person is entitled to redress.
28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1), (3). Thus, two requirements must be satisfied for a party to prosecute an appeal in forma pauperis: (1) the party must show an inability to pay (or that the party previously was permitted to proceed in forma pauperis), and (2) the appeal must be brought in good faith.
A brief overview of the course of proceedings is useful. Defendant was indicted for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and for possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine while onboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. (Doc. 1). In June 2007, he pleaded guilty to both charges. (Doc. 186). On September 14, 2007, Defendant was sentenced to 188 months incarceration (concurrent) in accordance with the advisory sentencing guidelines. (Docs. 248, 252). An appeal was taken from the Judgment. The Eleventh Circuit dismissed the appeal on the motion of Defendant in April 2008. (Doc. 472).
In March 2008, the Court granted a sentence reduction to 135 months pursuant to the government's Rule 35 motion (Doc. 461). (Doc. 476-77).
In January and February 2015, subsequent to the adoption of U.S.S.G. Amendment 782, Defendant filed his Amendment 782 motions. (Docs. 547, 552). The Federal Defenders Office ("FDO") was appointed to assist him. In accordance with the practice in this district, the U.S. Probation Office submitted a memorandum wherein it concluded that Defendant was ineligible for a sentencing reduction under Amendment 782 because the drug quantity table remained the same despite the amendment. (Doc. 549). On November 9, 2015, the FPO filed its Notice stating that based upon its diligent and thorough review of the record, it could not in good faith argue that Defendant is eligible for a sentence reduction under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) and Amendment 782 because the amendment does not have the effect of lowering Defendant's base offense level. (Doc. 561). The Court's Order affirming this conclusion followed. (Doc. 563).
Defendant's affidavit establishes that he satisfies the first requirement - he is indigent. Nonetheless, the Motion should be denied on substantive grounds. Construed liberally, any basis for appeal appears frivolous and thus the appeal is not brought in good faith. Here, Defendant asserts no arguable, good faith basis to appeal the Court's Order denying his Motion for an Amendment 782 Sentence Reduction. Under the Court's finding, Defendant was and is responsible for 15,157 kilograms of cocaine. Upon application, Amendment 782 does not have the effect of lowering Defendant's base offense level. Defendant makes no attempt at demonstrating that it does or that he is otherwise qualified for such reduction. Accordingly, a reduction in the term of imprisonment is not authorized under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) and U.S.S.G. §1B1.10.
The Court should liberally construe pro se pleadings and hold them to a less stringent standard than pleadings drafted by attorneys. Hughes v. Lott, 350 F.3d 1157, 1159-60 (11th Cir. 2003) (quoting Tannenbaum v. United States, 148 F.3d 1262, 1263 (11th Cir. 1998)).
Good faith is demonstrated by seeking appellate review of any issue that is not frivolous when judged under an objective standard. See Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 445 (1962). An issue is frivolous when it appears that the legal theories are "indisputably meritless"and/or its factual contentions are "clearly baseless." See Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 327 (1989); Carroll v. Gross, 984 F.2d 392, 393 (11th Cir. 1993).
In his motions, Defendant urges a reduction is appropriate because he has no criminal record, did not use violence, was low-level and not a manager or organizer, and has sought to improve himself while incarcerated. (Docs. 547, 552). --------
For the reasons stated above, it is RECOMMENDED that the Court DENY Defendant's construed motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal (Doc. 592) on grounds that the appeal is frivolous and certify that the appeal is therefore not taken in good faith. It is RECOMMENDED further that the Clerk be directed to notify the Court of Appeals of the above ruling in accordance with Rule 24(a)(4) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Respectfully submitted this 6th day of January 2016.
Failure to file written objections to the proposed findings and recommendations contained in this report within fourteen days from the date of its service shall bar an aggrieved party from attacking the factual findings on appeal and a de novo determination by a district judge. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72; M.D. Fla. R. 6.02; see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 6; M.D. Fla. R. 4.20. Copies to:
United States District Judge, Steven D. Merryday
Roberto Goveo-Zaragoza, Reg. No. 49348-018, Giles W. Dalby C.F., 805 North Avenue F.,