Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Dwaine EVANS, Jr., Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2002-05-23
Citations: 35 F. App'x 816
Docket Number: No. 01-3350
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Dwaine EVANS, Jr., Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: Before SEYMOUR, HENRY, and BRISCOE, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 35
Pages: 816–817

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Dwaine EVANS, Jr., Defendant-Appellant.
No. 01-3350.
United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit.
May 23, 2002.
Before SEYMOUR, HENRY, and BRISCOE, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
ORDER AND JUDGMENT
BRISCOE, Circuit Judge.
After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously 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.
Defendant Dwaine Evans, a federal prisoner appearing pro se, seeks a certificate of appealability (COA) to appeal the district court's denial of his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion to vacate, set aside, or correct sentence. Because he has failed to make a "substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right," as required by 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2), we deny a COA and dismiss the appeal.
Two separate criminal proceedings were filed against Evans in 1997. Judgment was entered in the first case on September 8, 1998, and an amended judgment was entered on October 1, 1998, to correct a clerical error. Judgment was entered in the second case on November 12, 1998. Evans did not file a direct appeal in either case. On October 9, 2001, Evans, appearing pro se, filed his § 2255 motion alleging he received ineffective assistance of counsel at sentencing in both cases. Evans alleged his counsel failed to object to the district court's application of sentencing enhancements under U.S.S.G. § 3Bl.l(c). The district court denied the motion, concluding it was filed "well after the one-year statute of limitations" set forth in § 2255. ROA, Doc. 213 at 3.
Section 2255 provides that a one-year "period of limitation shall apply to a mo tion" filed under the section. 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Typically, the one-year period runs from "the date on which the judgment of conviction becomes final." Id. Recognizing that his motion is untimely, Evans asserts he did not learn of the facts giving rise to his ineffective assistance of counsel claims, i.e., the district court's application of sentencing enhancements, until December 2000 when he met with prison officials to discuss his security level and work assignments. Evans contends that the one-year period of limitations should run from that date.
Section 2255(4) allows the one-year period of limitations to be tolled until "the date on which the facts supporting the claim . presented could have been discovered through the exercise of due diligence." We conclude that Evans learned, or with due diligence could have learned, about the sentencing enhancements even prior to the time judgment was entered in each of his eases. E.g., Fed.R.Crim.P. 32(b)(6)(A) (requiring that the probation officer provide defendant with a copy of the presentence report not less than 35 days before the sentencing hearing); Fed.R.Crim.P. 32(c)(3)(A) (requiring that the district court, prior to imposing sentence, verify that defendant and defense counsel have read and discussed the presentence report). We find no basis for deviating from the general rule that the one-year period of limitations runs from the date of judgment.
The request for a COA is DENIED and the appeal is DISMISSED. The mandate shall issue forthwith.
This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. The court generally disfavors the citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under the terms and conditions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3.