Opinion ID: 804450
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Mells’s Guilty Plea

Text: In February 2009, Mells pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846. In his plea agreement, Mells agreed to cooperate with the government in the investigation and prosecution of other persons. If Mells cooperated, the government agreed “to consider whether such cooperation qualifies as ‘substantial assistance’ . . . warranting the filing of a motion for a reduction of sentence within one year of the imposition of sentence pursuant to Fed.R.Crim.P. 35(b).” Mells agreed that he understood that (1) “the determination as to whether ‘substantial assistance’ has been provided or what type of motion related thereto will be filed, if any, rests solely with the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida” and (2) he could not and would not “challenge that determination, whether by appeal, collateral attack, or otherwise.” In July 2009, the district court sentenced Mells to 60 months’ imprisonment. The government appealed the sentence, and this Court vacated the sentence and remanded with instructions to re-sentence Mells “in accordance with the 2 Case: 11-14881 Date Filed: 07/16/2012 Page: 3 of 6 mandatory ten-year minimum sentence.” See United States v. Mells, 383 F. App’x 832, 835 (11th Cir. 2010). On December 21, 2010, the district court entered judgment sentencing Mells to 120 months’ imprisonment. Mells did not appeal.