Court Opinion

ID: 46740
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-25 23:04:58+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:17:46.075474
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                                                                                             Fifth Circuit
                                                                                           F I L E D
                        IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                                         November 29, 2006
                                 FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
                                                                                       Charles R. Fulbruge III
                                                                                               Clerk
                                            No. 05-10376
                                          Summary Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                                        Plaintiff-Appellee,

versus

GARY REEDER; SANDRA REEDER,

                                                        Defendants-Appellants.

                                         --------------------
                           Appeals from the United States District Court
                                for the Northern District of Texas
                                    USDC No. 4:02-CR-128-1
                                    USDC No. 4:02-CR-128-2
                                         --------------------

Before JOLLY, DENNIS, and CLEMENT, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

         Gary Reeder and Sandra Reeder appeal from their convictions of mail fraud and conspiracy

to commit money-laundering. Sandra Reeder appeals her sentence. In addition, the Government

moves for dismissal or summary affirmance or, in the alternative, for an extension of time in which

to file a brief. The Government argues that the appeal is frivolous and that even in light of the liberal

standards of construction afforded to pro se briefs, the appellants’ briefs are inadequate and

         *
         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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be
published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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.

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incomprehensible. The Government’s motion is denied. We affirm the convictions as well as Sandra

Reeder’s sentence.

        The Reeders challenge the Government’s pursuit of both civil and criminal remedies against

them. Gary Reeder argued in the district court that such pursuit is a violation of the double jeopardy

clause and the due process clause. The constitution, however, does not prohibit the Government

from pursuing both civil and criminal remedies. See Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. 93, 100–03

(1997). This claim for relief is without merit.

        The Reeders also challenge the seizure of evidence from their place of business on Fourth and

Fifth Amendment grounds. The district court’s order resulting in the challenged seizure was entered

in a separate, previous civil enforcement case brought by the SEC, and it is not properly before us

for review. See Goodman v. Harris County, 443 F.3d 464, 467 (5th Cir. 2006) (noting that prior to

deciding an appeal, this court must satisfy itself that the appeal is properly before it). We decline to

consider this claim for relief.

        The Reeders argue that various items of evidence were falsified or defective and that the

Government failed to disclose exculpatory evidence to the jury. The Reeders have not indicated how

a particular certification by an SEC employee they allege was false was relevant to their criminal

prosecution; as to that particular item of evidence, they have failed to brief any issue for appeal. See

Yohey v. Collins, 985 F.2d 222, 224–25 (5th Cir. 1993). We will not grant relief on this claim.

        The Reeders also argue that the Government failed to satisfy its obligation to disclose

exculpatory evidence. While the Government is obliged to disclose exculpatory evidence to

defendants, see Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 87 (1963), it is not obliged to disclose exculpatory

evidence to the jury. As such, this argument is without merit. The Reeders’ remaining arguments

                                                  -2-
regarding the allegedly defective evidence go to the weight and credibility of the evidence, and they

have shown no reason for us to disturb the jury’s findings on weight and credibility. See United

States v. Molinar-Apodaca, 889 F.2d 1417, 1423 (5th Cir. 1989).

       The Reeders, who proceeded pro se with standby counsel in the district court, contend that

they received ineffective assistance of counsel. The general rule is that this court will not review a

claim of ineffective assistance of counsel on direct appeal unless the record is sufficiently developed

to permit the court to fairly evaluate the issues. See United States v. Higdon, 832 F.2d 312, 313–14

(5th Cir. 1987). The record here is not sufficiently developed and we decline to consider this issue.

       The Reeders also argue that the district court should have recused itself. The apparent basis

for this argument is that the district court made evidentiary rulings adverse to the defendants.

Adverse rulings alone do not give rise to grounds for recusal. See Liteky v. United States, 510 U.S.

540, 555 (1994).

       The Reeders also contend that the district court misapprehended the nature of their business,

their identities, and their citizenship status; that they were not given adequate time to review

evidence; and that the district court incorrectly defined the people who invested funds with the

Reeders as investors. The Reeders do not allege on appeal that they sought a continuance to review

evidence, and they have not shown grounds for a reversal in any event. See United States v.

Messervey, 317 F.3d 457, 462 (5th Cir. 2002). The Reeders’ other contentions are facially frivolous.

       Finally, Sandra Reeder contends that her sentence should be vacated pursuant to United States

v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005). She does no more than state the issue, and she has failed to brief

it for appeal. See Yohey, 985 F.2d at 224–25.

                                                 -3-
      The convictions are AFFIRMED, Sandra Reeder’s sentence is AFFIRMED, and the

Government’s motion is DENIED.

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