Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Willie D. SMITH, Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2010-10-20
Citations: 397 F. App'x 982
Docket Number: No. 09-10387
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Willie D. SMITH, Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: Before HIGGINBOTHAM, SMITH, and HAYNES, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 397
Pages: 982–984

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Willie D. SMITH, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 09-10387
Summary Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Oct. 20, 2010.
Susan Cowger, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Dallas, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Willie D. Smith, White Deer, PA, pro se.
Before HIGGINBOTHAM, SMITH, and HAYNES, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Willie D. Smith, federal prisoner # 59847-079, filed a motion for a reduction of sentence pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) based on Amendment 706 to the United States Sentencing Guidelines. The district court found that Amendment 706 would not affect Smith's sentence because he had been sentenced as a career offender pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 4B1.4(b). It also denied leave to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) on appeal, certifying that Smith's appeal was not taken in good faith. By moving this court for leave to proceed IFP on appeal, Smith is challenging the district court's certification that his appeal was not taken in good faith. See Baugh v. Taylor, 117 F.3d 197, 202 (5th Cir.1997). Smith also has moved for appointment of counsel.
Section 3582(c)(2) permits the discretionary modification of a defendant's sentence in certain cases where the sentencing range has been subsequently lowered by the Sentencing Commission. United States v. Doublin, 572 F.3d 235, 237 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 130 S.Ct. 517, 175 L.Ed.2d 366 (2009). A defendant is eligible for a reduction under § 3582(c)(2) only if the amendment has the effect of lowering the applicable guideline range. U.S.S.G. § 1B1.10, comment. (n.lA). Because the record demonstrates that Smith was sentenced as an armed career criminal under § 4B1.4, the district court correctly concluded that Amendment 706 would not lower the applicable guideline range.
Smith also argues that, in light of United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), § 1B1.10 is no longer mandatory. This argument is without merit. See Doublin, 572 F.3d at 238; Dillon v. United States, — U.S. -, -, 130 S.Ct. 2683, 2692, 177 L.Ed.2d 271 (2010). Smith's remaining arguments are not considered as they are a challenge to his sentence as it was originally imposed. United States v. Whitebird, 55 F.3d 1007, 1011 (5th Cir.1995); United States v. Evans, 587 F.3d 667, 674 (5th Cir.2009), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 130 S.Ct. 3462, 177 L.Ed.2d 1064 (2010).
Therefore, Smith has not shown that his appeal presents a nonfrivolous issue. Accordingly, his request for IFP is DENIED. See Baugh, 117 F.3d at 202 n. 24. His request for appointment of counsel also is DENIED. Because his appeal is frivolous, it is DISMISSED. 5th Cir. R. 42.2.
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.