Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Jerome C. VETAW, Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2012-05-17
Citations: 478 F. App'x 527
Docket Number: No. 12-3071
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Jerome C. VETAW, Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: Before LUCERO, HARTZ, and MATHESON, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 478
Pages: 527–527

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Jerome C. VETAW, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 12-3071.
United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit.
May 17, 2012.
Duston J. Slinkard, Office of The United States Attorney, Topeka, KS, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Thomas W. Bartee, Office of The Federal Public Defender, Topeka, KS, for Defendant-Appellant.
Before LUCERO, HARTZ, and MATHESON, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
ORDER AND JUDGMENT
PER CURIAM.
After entering into a plea agreement that included an appeal waiver, Jerome C. Vetaw pleaded guilty to possession -with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). In the plea agreement, Vetaw waived among other things "the right to appeal the sentence imposed . except to the extent, if any, the court departs or varies upwards from the applicable sentencing guideline range determined by the court." Plea Agreement at 9. Vetaw was sentenced to 77 months' imprisonment, which was at the low end of the advisory Guidelines range.
Vetaw has filed a notice of appeal that raises the issue of whether he qualified for sentencing under the career offender guidelines. The government has moved to enforce the appeal waiver. See United States v. Hahn, 359 F.3d 1315, 1328 (10th Cir.2004) (en banc) (per curiam).
In evaluating a motion to enforce a waiver, we consider: "(1) whether the disputed appeal falls within the scope of the waiver of appellate rights; (2) whether the defendant knowingly and voluntarily waived his appellate rights; and (3) whether enforcing the waiver would result in a miscarriage of justice." Id. at 1325. Vetaw's lawyer has filed a response in which he says that he "is aware of no non-frivolous grounds upon which to oppose the Government's motion." Resp. at 1.
Our independent review confirms that the proposed issue for appeal falls within the scope of the waiver. The plea agreement clearly sets forth the waiver and states that it was knowing and voluntary, and the district court discussed the waiver and voluntariness at the plea hearing. There is no contradictory evidence indicating that Vetaw did not knowingly and voluntarily accept the waiver. Finally, there is no indication that enforcing the waiver would result in a miscarriage of justice.
The motion to enforce is GRANTED and this matter is DISMISSED.
This panel has determined that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument. This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. It may be cited, however, for its persuasive value consistent with Fed. R App. P. 32.1 and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.