Court Opinion

ID: 9409841
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-07-19 18:00:43.047227+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:20:53.900566
License: Public Domain

Case: 22-60236        Document: 00516825890             Page: 1      Date Filed: 07/19/2023

             United States Court of Appeals
                  for the Fifth Circuit
                                     ____________
                                                                               United States Court of Appeals
                                                                                        Fifth Circuit
                                      No. 22-60236
                                    Summary Calendar                                   FILED
                                    ____________                                     July 19, 2023
                                                                                 Lyle W. Cayce
   United States of America,                                                          Clerk

                                                                      Plaintiff—Appellee,

                                            versus

   Carrnell Denman,

                                              Defendant—Appellant.
                     ______________________________

                     Appeal from the United States District Court
                       for the Southern District of Mississippi
                               USDC No. 3:21-CR-10-1
                     ______________________________

   Before Jolly, Oldham, and Wilson, Circuit Judges.
   Per Curiam: *
         Carrnell Denman pleaded guilty, pursuant to a plea agreement, to one
   count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of
   methamphetamine. As part of his plea agreement, Denman waived his right
   to appeal and collateral review, except that he reserved the right to bring
   claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. The district court denied his

         _____________________
         *
             This opinion is not designated for publication. See 5th Cir. R. 47.5.
Case: 22-60236      Document: 00516825890          Page: 2   Date Filed: 07/19/2023

                                    No. 22-60236

   motion to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) and certified that the appeal was
   not taken in good faith.
          Denman argues that his appeal waiver is not enforceable because it is
   unconstitutional, basing his argument on a concurring opinion: United States
   v. Melancon, 972 F.2d 566, 570-80 (5th Cir. 1992) (Parker, J., concurring). He
   contends that the district court erred in calculating his advisory guidelines
   range. He additionally moves this court for authorization to proceed IFP.
   The Government has filed a motion to dismiss based on the appeal waiver,
   or, in the alternative, for summary affirmance. In opposing the motion to
   dismiss, Denman argues that the waiver is unenforceable because of
   ineffective assistance of counsel.
          We will grant authorization to proceed IFP on appeal if the litigant
   demonstrates that he is a pauper and that his appeal is taken in good faith,
   i.e., that a nonfrivolous issue exists for appeal. § 1915(a); Jackson v. Dall.
   Police Dep’t, 811 F.2d 260, 261 (5th Cir. 1986). Because his arguments on
   appeal fall within the scope of the appeal waiver, whether Denman has
   presented a nonfrivolous issue for appeal depends on the enforceability of his
   appeal waiver. See United States v. Bond, 414 F.3d 542, 544 (5th Cir. 2005).
          We have held that appellate rights may be waived as part of a valid plea
   agreement. United States v. Keele, 755 F.3d 752, 756 (5th Cir. 2014); see also
   Bond, 414 F.3d at 544; Melancon, 972 F.2d at 567 (majority opinion). Because
   Denman’s appeal was knowing and voluntary and applies to the
   circumstances at hand, it is enforceable and forecloses his argument
   regarding the guidelines calculation. United States v. Higgins, 739 F.3d 733,
   736 (5th Cir. 2014); accord Bond, 414 F.3d at 544.
          In his plea agreement, Denman did reserve the right to bring a claim
   of ineffective assistance of counsel. The record, however, is not sufficiently
   developed to allow the court to make a fair evaluation of the claims of

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Case: 22-60236      Document: 00516825890           Page: 3    Date Filed: 07/19/2023

                                     No. 22-60236

   ineffective assistance of counsel raised in response to the Government’s
   motion to dismiss. We decline to consider the claims without prejudice to
   collateral review. See United States v. Isgar, 739 F.3d 829, 841 (5th Cir. 2014).
          For these reasons, the Government’s motion to dismiss is
   GRANTED, and this appeal is DISMISSED. See United States v. Story,
   439 F.3d 226, 230 n.5 (5th Cir. 2006). The Government’s alternative motion
   for summary affirmance and Denman’s IFP motion are DENIED.

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