Opinion ID: 25905
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Apprendi challenge to supervised terms of release.

Text: 47 In Faulk's supplemental brief, he sets forth his Apprendi argument and concludes by generally challenging the length of the term of supervised release imposed under the charging statute, 21 U.S.C. § 841. And, as previously noted, Green adopted all applicable arguments made by the other appellants. Faulk and Green thus have adequately challenged their terms of supervised release. 48 Faulk and Green pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846. Because the indictment did not set forth the quantity of heroin, the appellants are guilty of a Class C felony. Title 18 § 3583(b)(2) provides that [e]xcept as otherwise provided, the authorized terms of supervised release are . . . for a class C or D felony, not more than three years . . . . (emphasis added). This Court has recognized that § 3583(b) is a default supervised release statute. United States v. Meshack, 225 F.3d 556, 578 (5th Cir. 2000). In the case at bar, the appellants were convicted under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). The corresponding penalty section, § 841(b)(1)(C), provides that in the case of a controlled substance in schedule I (here, heroin), a defendant with no prior felony drug conviction shall receive a term of supervised release of at least three years. This Court has recognized the differing language in the two statutes, § 3583(b)(2) and § 841(b)(1)(C), and determined that a defendant with no prior felony drug conviction is required to receive a supervised release term of not less than nor more than three years. United States v. Kelly, 974 F.2d 22, 24 (5th Cir.1992). However, if a defendant does have a prior felony drug conviction that has become final, § 841(b)(1)(C) provides that the court must impose a term of supervised release of at least 6 years in addition to such term of imprisonment. 49 The record indicates that Faulk does not have a prior felony drug conviction but that Green does have such a prior conviction. Under these circumstances, Green is not entitled to relief; Faulk, however, should have received a three-year term of supervised release. Faulk did not object. Nevertheless, [u]nder plain error review, we correct overlong terms of supervised release. Meshack, 225 F.3d at 578 (citing Kelly, 974 F.2d at 24-25). 6 This Court has modified terms of supervised release that exceeded the statutory maximum without remanding for resentencing. See Doggett, 230 F.3d at 165 n.2. However, as set forth below, because we are vacating Faulk's sentence on another ground, the district court will have the opportunity on remand to correct the term of supervised release to the statutorily mandated three-year term. 50