Court Opinion

ID: 4098984
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-11-17 01:00:57.75136+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:22:24.571908
License: Public Domain

Case: 15-11116      Document: 00513762989         Page: 1    Date Filed: 11/16/2016

           IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                    FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
                                                                         United States Court of Appeals
                                                                                  Fifth Circuit

                                    No. 15-11116                                FILED
                                  Summary Calendar                      November 16, 2016
                                                                           Lyle W. Cayce
                                                                                Clerk
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                                 Plaintiff-Appellee

v.

KENDRICK JERMAINE FULTON, also known as Ken Fulton,

                                                 Defendant-Appellant

                   Appeal from the United States District Court
                        for the Northern District of Texas
                             USDC No. 5:02-CR-94-2

Before JONES, WIENER, and CLEMENT, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM: *
       Kendrick Jermaine Fulton, federal prisoner # 30080-177, is currently
serving a 400-month sentence of imprisonment, which was imposed following
his jury trial conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more
than five kilograms of cocaine and intent to manufacture, distribute, and
possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base. In the
action that gives rise to the instant appeal, Fulton, relying on Amendment 750

       * 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not
be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH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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                                  No. 15-11116

to the United States Sentencing Guidelines, requested a sentence reduction
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2). The district court, referring to the findings
as to drug quantity that it orally expressed at Fulton’s sentencing hearing,
determined that Fulton was ineligible for a sentence reduction because
Amendment 750 did not have the effect of lowering his guidelines range. The
district court denied Fulton’s § 3582(c)(2) motion, and it denied his motion for
reconsideration.     On appeal, Fulton raises arguments that challenge the
district court’s determination that he is ineligible for a sentence reduction
under Amendment 750.
      A district court’s decision whether to reduce a sentence pursuant to
§ 3582(c)(2) is reviewed for abuse of discretion, while its interpretation of the
Guidelines is reviewed de novo, and its factual findings are reviewed for clear
error. United States v. Henderson, 636 F.3d 713, 717 (5th Cir. 2011). We
review the denial of a motion for reconsideration for abuse of discretion. United
States v. Rabhan, 540 F.3d 344, 346-47 (5th Cir. 2008).
      Contrary to Fulton’s contention, the law-of-the-case doctrine does not
preclude the district court from relying on its drug quantity findings. It is true,
as Fulton notes, that we determined in his direct appeal that the district court
had erred, but not plainly so, under United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220
(2005), by enhancing his sentence based on factors not submitted to the jury,
see United States v. Fulton, 131 F. App’x 441, 444 (5th Cir. 2005), but the
holdings of Booker have no application in Fulton’s § 3582(c)(2) proceeding. See
Dillon v. United States, 560 U.S. 817, 830 (2010).
      Although Fulton asserts that there are a number of drug quantity
determinations that warrant further examination so that he can establish his
eligibility for a sentence reduction, he may not relitigate the issue of drug
quantity in a § 3582(c)(2) motion. See United States v. Evans, 587 F.3d 667,

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                                 No. 15-11116

674 (5th Cir. 2009). A proceeding under § 3582(c)(2) is not a full resentencing.
Dillon, 560 U.S. at 825-26. The district court did not abuse its discretion by
denying Fulton’s § 3582(c)(2) motion without holding an evidentiary hearing.
See Evans, 587 F.3d at 674; Dickens v. Lewis, 750 F.2d 1251, 1255 (5th Cir.
1984).
      Finally, we reject Fulton’s contention that the district court should have
used the drug quantity findings set forth in the Presentence Report (PSR),
which the district court generally adopted, in determining his eligibility for a
sentence reduction. Fulton objected to the PSR’s drug quantity determination,
and the district court, after receiving evidence at sentencing, orally announced
its findings as to the quantities of crack cocaine and powder cocaine for which
he was accountable. “[T]he district court is not limited at sentencing to the
findings in the PSR and the evidentiary bases therefor.” United States v. Solis,
299 F.3d 420, 456 (5th Cir. 2002). As the district court determined, in view of
its orally stated drug quantity findings, Fulton was ineligible for a sentence
reduction because Amendment 750 “does not have the effect of lowering
[Fulton’s] applicable guideline range.”    U.S.S.G. § 1B1.10(a)(2)(B); see also
§ 1B1.10, comment. (n.1(A)).
      Accordingly, the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED. Fulton’s
motion to stay the briefing schedule and for summary judgment is DENIED.

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