Opinion ID: 177338
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Plea agreement and sentence

Text: In December 2004, McCreary-Redd pled guilty to counts two (possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute) and three (carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime) pursuant to a written plea agreement. A two-page “Agreed Rule 11 Factual Basis,” setting forth the facts that gave rise to McCreary-Redd’s arrest, was filed in conjunction with the plea agreement. The plea agreement itself contained a number of provisions that the district court described as being “fairly standard,” several of which are relevant to this appeal. First, the parties included a provision stating that McCreary-Redd would “cooperate fully, truthfully, and completely with any and all law enforcement agents.” The government in turn agreed not to use any self-incriminating information provided by McCreary-Redd to his detriment. But the parties further stipulated that nothing in this plea agreement shall be applied to restrict the use of information (1) known to the government prior to entering into this written plea agreement; (2) obtained from any other source; (3) in any prosecution for perjury or giving of false statements; (4) in the event that the Defendant withdraws from the plea agreement; (5) if there is a breach of the plea agreement by the Defendant; (6) if the Defendant violates any of the terms or conditions of the Court’s order setting conditions of release (if applicable); or (7) concerning the Defendant’s prior record. In addition to these provisions, the plea agreement contained a partial waiver of appellate rights, which stated that [t]he Defendant further agrees not to file a direct appeal of his convictions or any motions or pleadings pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. However, he reserves the right to pursue a direct appeal of his sentence. Thus, the Defendant knowingly, intentionally, and voluntarily waives his right to collaterally attack the plea or sentence in the instant case. The Defendant understands that if the Defendant files any such motion, he will have breached the plea agreement and the United States will then have the following options: (1) move to dismiss the motion, (2) be relieved of any obligations under the plea agreement or (3) both. The parties agree that the -4- No. 08-5972 United States v. McCreary-Redd Defendant retains his right to raise claims of ineffective assistance of counsel or prosecutorial misconduct. Finally, the plea agreement set forth the consequences if McCreary-Redd failed to comply with the above provisions. In relevant part, McCreary-Redd agreed that if he failed to abide by the agreement’s terms, the government could prosecute him for any of the crimes listed in the indictment. He also conceded that any of the statements that he had made at any time during the case could then be used against him. In exchange for McCreary-Redd’s guilty plea, the government agreed not to pursue the charges set forth in count one (being a felon in possession of a firearm) of the indictment. The government further agreed that, at sentencing, it would “bring to the Court’s attention the nature, extent and value of the Defendant’s cooperation. This information will be provided to the Court so that it may be considered in determining a fair and appropriate sentence under the facts of the case.” Pursuant to the cooperation provisions of the plea agreement, McCreary-Redd spoke to FBI Special Agent David Bukowski and Knoxville Police Officer Ed Kingsbury in December 2004. McCreary-Redd’s counsel accompanied him to the meeting, but no prosecutor was present. During the interview, McCreary-Redd stated that he had purchased crack cocaine from three individuals who went by the nicknames Bazzy, Buck, and Dee. According to McCreary-Redd, these three individuals operated out of an apartment belonging to a man named Johnny, who resided at the housing project where McCreary-Redd was arrested. McCreary-Redd provided physical descriptions for all four individuals. -5- No. 08-5972 United States v. McCreary-Redd In addition, McCreary-Redd described the extent of his drug-dealing activities to Agent Bukowski and Officer Kingsbury. He stated that he typically purchased three grams of crack cocaine at a time with the intention to resell the drugs, and that he engaged in drug dealing as many as six days a week for a four-month stretch in the 2003-2004 time frame. McCreary-Redd added that he had purchased a gun from a seller in the parking lot of a Knoxville gun show and carried it with him whenever he was buying or selling drugs. The district court, in February 2005, sentenced McCreary-Redd to 123 months’ imprisonment. Prior to being sentenced, however, McCreary-Redd escaped from a halfway house in Knoxville and fled to Michigan. Despite this action, the government stipulated that McCrearyRedd had accepted responsibility for his actions and did not object to him receiving a two-level reduction in his offense level under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.