Court Opinion

ID: 48151
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-25 23:35:53+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:18:15.283212
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                                                                                         Fifth Circuit

                     IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS                               F I L E D
                                                                                         January 25, 2007
                                  FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
                                                                                      Charles R. Fulbruge III
                                                                                              Clerk

                                           No. 06-50436
                                         Summary Calendar

RICHARD GORDON BANNISTER,

                                                                                       Petitioner-
                                                          Appellant,

                                                 versus

DENNIS SMITH, FCI La Tuna, Warden,

                                                                                      Respondent-
                                                          Appellee.

                       ------------------------------------------------------------
                           Appeal from the United States District Court
                                  for the Western District of Texas
                                       USDC No. 3:05-CV-300
                       ------------------------------------------------------------

Before DeMOSS, STEWART and PRADO, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

       Richard Gordon Bannister, federal prisoner # 18907-051, moves this court for leave to appeal

in forma pauperis (IFP) following the district court’s dismissal of his 28 U.S.C. § 2241 petition,

wherein he challenged a parole determination by the United States Parole Commission. The district

court denied IFP, certifying that the appeal was not taken in good faith. Bannister’s motion for IFP

       *
           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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be
published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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.
is construed as a challenge to the district court’s certification. See Baugh v. Taylor, 117 F.3d 197,

202 (5th Cir. 1997).

        Bannister argues that the Parole Commission failed to conduct an initial hearing within the

prescribed time, failed to return a timely decision after the initial hearing, and delayed in providing

him notice of its decision on the initial hearing. He further argues that the Parole Commission

miscalculated his offense severity rating, failed to respond to his administrative appeal within the

prescribed time, returned a more adverse decision on appeal, and failed to provide an adequate

explanation for its decision on appeal.

        A federal court may not reverse the decision of the United States Parole Commission unless

the decision involves flagrant, unwarranted, or unauthorized action. Page v. United States Parole

Comm’n, 651 F.2d 1083, 1085 (5th Cir. 1981). Based on a review of the record, we conclude that

Bannister fails to show prejudice from the alleged delays in the hearing and action by the Parole

Commission. See id. at 1087. Further, the Commission’s action with respect to determining

Bannister’s parole release date based on aggravating factors was within its authorized discretion. See

Brown v. Lundgren, 528 F.2d 1050, 1055 (5th Cir. 1976). Bannister fails to show that the

Commission’s decision involved flagrant, unwarranted, or unauthorized action. See Page, 651 F.2d

at 1085.

        Bannister has failed to show that his appeal involves “legal points arguable on their merits

(and therefore not frivolous).” Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 220 (5th Cir. 1983)(internal quotation

marks and citation omitted). Accordingly, his motion for authorization to proceed IFP on appeal is

denied, and his appeal is dismissed as frivolous. See Baugh, 117 F.3d at 202 & n.24; 5TH CIR. R.

42.2.

                                                 -2-
MOTION FOR IFP DENIED; APPEAL DISMISSED.

                           -3-