Source: http://al.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20170811_0000693.NAL.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2017-11-24 20:32:40
Document Index: 629235420

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2255', '§ 922', '§ 2255', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255']

JAMES STEVEN HORTON, Petitioner,
James Steven Horton, a federal prisoner, seeks to have his sentence vacated, set aside, or corrected pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Johnson v. United States, 135 S.Ct. 2551 (2015). Doc. 1. For the reasons explained below, Horton's petition is DENIED.
After Horton pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2) (Count I), see doc. 10 in case no. 1:11-cr-00446-AKK-JHE, the undersigned sentenced Horton to a term of imprisonment of sixty-eight months and twenty-one days, see doc. 16 in case no.1:11-cr-00446-AKK-JHE. Horton did not file a direct appeal. See doc. 1 at 2. As a result, his conviction became final on May 23, 2012.[1] Horton subsequently filed this § 2255 motion on June 10, 2016. Doc. 1 at 12.
Horton asks the court to vacate his conviction and sentence in light of Johnson v. United States, which declared void for vagueness the portion of the Armed Career Criminal Act (“ACCA”) that defined “violent felony” to include offenses that “involve[] conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another” comparable to “burglary, arson, or extortion” or an offense that “involves the use of explosives.” See Johnson, 135 S.Ct. at 2557-60. As the basis for his motion, Horton states that his “sentencing guidelines were ‘enhanced' because of a 3rd degree burglary on [his] record, ” and that “[t]hey said it was considered a ‘violent crime, ' so [he] got a significant amount more time.” Doc. 1 at 4. Indeed, the Presentence Investigation Report reflects a base offense level of 20 pursuant to U.S.S.G. §§ 2K2.1(a)(4)(A) and 4B1.2(a), because Horton's instant offense occurred subsequent to Horton sustaining one felony conviction of either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense. See Presentence Investigation Report at 7. Here, Horton had a prior “crime of violence” conviction for “Burglary, 3rd Degree.” See Id. Therefore, it appears that Horton is arguing for extension of Johnson to his sentence, because U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(a) incorporates the Guidelines definition of “crime of violence” found in § 4B1.2(a) that mirrors the language of the invalidated ACCA residual clause.
Unfortunately for Horton, the Supreme Court has held that “[b]ecause the advisory Sentencing Guidelines are not subject to a due process vagueness challenge, § 4B1.2(a)'s residual clause is not void for vagueness.” See Beckles v. United States, 137 S.Ct. 886, 895 (2017). Moreover, Horton's prior burglary qualified as a crime of violence under the enumerated clause of the Sentencing Guidelines' “crime of violence” definition rather than the residual clause. See United States v. Archer, 531 F.3d 1347, 1350 (11th Cir. 2008) (“burglary of a dwelling” is one of the crimes enumerated in the Sentencing Guidelines). Therefore, because Horton filed this motion well after the one year period his conviction became final, [2] see 28 U.S.C. § 2255(f)(1), and Johnson does not extend to enhancements under the Sentencing Guidelines, see Beckles, 137 S.Ct. at 895, Horton's motion is untimely and also fails on the merits.
In light of the foregoing, the court finds that Horton's arguments are either procedurally barred or fail to establish a sufficient basis to vacate his sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Accordingly, his § 2255 petition is DENIED. The clerk is directed to close this file, and to terminate doc. 18 in case no. 1:11-cr-00446-AKK-JHE-1.