Case Name: Fredrick Lynn MITCHELL, Petitioner-Appellant, v. K.J. WENDT; United States of America, Respondents-Appellees
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2005-02-23
Citations: 122 F. App'x 166
Docket Number: No. 04-11071
Parties: Fredrick Lynn MITCHELL, Petitioner-Appellant, v. K.J. WENDT; United States of America, Respondents-Appellees.
Judges: Before BARKSDALE, GARZA, and STEWART, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 122
Pages: 166–167

Head Matter:
Fredrick Lynn MITCHELL, Petitioner-Appellant, v. K.J. WENDT; United States of America, Respondents-Appellees.
No. 04-11071.
Conference Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Decided Feb. 23, 2005.
Fredrick Lynn Mitchell, #26943-177, Seagoville, TX, pro se.
Before BARKSDALE, GARZA, and STEWART, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Fredrick Lynn Mitchell, federal prisoner #26943-177, appeals the district court's dismissal of his 28 U.S.C. § 2241 petition, which challenged his 2001 conviction for possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base. Mitchell argued that the district court lacked sub ject-matter jurisdiction because such an offense is not a "federal crime." The district court concluded that Mitchell's petition was in the nature of a 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion and that Mitchell had not satisfied the "savings clause" of that statute. See Pack v. Yusuff, 218 F.3d 448, 452 (5th Cir.2000). The district court dismissed Mitchell's petition as an unauthorized successive 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion.
Although Mitchell may proceed under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 if he demonstrates that 28 U.S.C. § 2255 was "inadequate or ineffective" under the latter statute's "savings clause," Mitchell has not made such a showing. Mitchell's reliance on United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549, 115 S.Ct. 1624, 131 L.Ed.2d 626 (1995), also demonstrates that his claims could have been raised either on direct appeal or in a prior 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion; Mitchell was not convicted until 2001. See Reyes-Requena v. United States, 243 F.3d 893, 904 (5th Cir .2001).
This appeal is without arguable merit and, therefore, it is DISMISSED as frivolous. See Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 219-20 (5th Cir.1983); 5th Cir. R. 42.2. Additionally, Mitchell has previously filed a 28 U.S.C. § 2241 petition challenging his indictment and conviction. Mitchell v. Wendt, 95 Fed.Appx. 557 (5th Cir.2004) (unpublished) (affirming dismissal of 28 U.S.C. § 2241 petition). Mitchell is warned that any future frivolous pleadings under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 challenging this conviction will invite the imposition of sanctions.
APPEAL DISMISSED; SANCTION WARNING ISSUED.
Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.