Court Opinion

ID: 158012
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-08-14 05:11:10+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:05:26.544396
License: Public Domain

F I L E D
                                                                      United States Court of Appeals
                                                                              Tenth Circuit
                     UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                             MAY 28 1999
                                TENTH CIRCUIT
                           __________________________                    PATRICK FISHER
                                                                                  Clerk

 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

          Plaintiff-Appellee,

 v.                                                         No. 98-3227
                                                             (D. Kan.)
 GUILLERMO ZAMBRANO-SANCHEZ,                     (D.Ct. No. 97-CR-20067-01-EEO)

          Defendant-Appellant.

 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

          Plaintiff-Appellee,

 v.                                                         No. 98-3283
                                                              (D. Kan.)
 BALTAZAR ZAMBRANO-ZOMORA,                         (D.Ct. No. 97-CR-20067-EEO)

          Defendant-Appellant.
                        ____________________________

                                ORDER AND JUDGMENT *

Before BRORBY, EBEL, and LUCERO, Circuit Judges.

      After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined

      *
          This order and judgment is not binding precedent except under the doctrines of
law of the case, res judicata and collateral estoppel. The court generally disfavors the
citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under
the terms and conditions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3.
unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of

this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is

therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

      Appellant Baltazar Zambrano-Zomora appeals his conviction for conspiracy

to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine following the district court's

denial of his motion to withdraw his guilty plea. In a related appeal concerning

the same alleged conspiracy, Appellant Guillermo Zambrano-Sanchez contests the

extent of the district court's downward departure in calculating his sentence after

pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute a substance containing a

detectable quantity of methamphetamine. We exercise our jurisdiction to

consolidate these appeals, and affirm.

                  I. Mr. Zambrano-Zomora: Appeal No. 98-3283

      Mr. Zambrano-Zomora was indicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to

distribute more than one kilogram of methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C.

§§ 841 and 846. Two days prior to his May 4, 1998 trial, Mr. Zambrano-Zomora

advised the government he wished to enter a plea of guilty. In his petition to

enter a plea of guilty, Mr. Zambrano-Zomora described his involvement in the

offense, stating: "[I]n November, 1997, I participated in a conspiracy with others

                                         -2-
named in this Indictment to possess and distribute methamphetamine, in a

quantity of more than 1 kilogram." During the plea hearing, Mr. Zambrano-

Zomora stated his desire to withdraw his previous plea of not guilty and enter a

guilty plea, but disagreed with the government's recitation of the facts as to his

involvement with the other conspirators. After his attorney requested and

received a recess to confer with his client, Mr. Zambrano-Zomora returned and

completed the plea colloquy, admitting he did what the plea agreement stated.

        At his July 20, 1998 sentencing, Mr. Zambrano-Zomora advised the court

he wanted a new attorney. The district court appointed new counsel and granted a

continuance for the purpose of allowing Mr. Zambrano-Zomora to file motions.

Several days later, Mr. Zambrano-Zomora filed a motion to withdraw his guilty

plea.

        The district court subsequently held a hearing on the motion to withdraw, at

which Mr. Zambrano-Zomora testified he told the district court at his plea hearing

he did not participate in the conspiracy, but that during the recess, his attorney

told him if he disagreed with the government’s recitation of the facts, he could

not plead guilty and receive the five to six and a half year sentence. He further

stated his attorney told him he “could not go to trial” because people would

                                          -3-
testify against him and he might lose his case. During the hearing colloquy, Mr.

Zambrano-Zomora admitted he lied to government agents as to whether he knew

several of the other conspirators.

      Mr. Zambrano-Zomora's former attorney, Mr. Gyllenborg, also testified at

the hearing, stating an interpreter translated the guilty plea petition into Spanish

for Mr. Zambrano-Zomora, and Mr. Zambrano-Zomora admitted he wanted to

plead guilty to his participation in the conspiracy. Mr. Gyllenborg testified he

had no doubt in his mind Mr. Zambrano-Zomora understood the terms of the plea

agreement and the facts to which he pled guilty, and that he never coerced or

threatened Mr. Zambrano-Zomora into entering the plea. He also explained that

during the recess of the plea hearing, Mr. Zambrano-Zomora initially objected to

the government's statement he participated in the full length of the conspiracy, but

after explaining to Mr. Zambrano-Zomora that the government only linked him to

the final two months of the conspiracy, Mr. Zambrano-Zomora seemed satisfied

and reiterated his desire to enter a guilty plea. In addition, Mr. Gyllenborg stated

he advised Mr. Zambrano-Zomora of the maximum and minimum sentence of life

to ten years, but did not know why Mr. Zambrano-Zomora thought his sentence

would range between only five to six and a half years, other than an earlier

discussion they had about the possibility of a departure under United States

                                          -4-
Sentencing Guideline 5K1.1 if he cooperated with the government.

      Following the hearing, the district court entered a Memorandum and Order

denying Mr. Zambrano-Zomora’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea, finding he

knowingly and intelligently entered his plea and that he failed to demonstrate a

"fair and just reason" for withdrawal of his guilty plea. The district court rejected

Mr. Zambrano-Zomora's argument that his mistaken belief that he would receive a

five to six and a half year sentence should negate his plea. The court based this

decision on Mr. Gyllenborg's unequivocal testimony that he did not advise Mr.

Zambrano-Zomora he would receive a five to six and a half year sentence, Mr.

Zambrano-Zomora’s lack of credibility based on his admission he initially lied to

federal agents, and the fact that the district court informed Mr. Zambrano-Zomora

during the plea hearing that his sentence could range from ten years to life. The

district court also determined Mr. Zambrano-Zomora failed to rebut the

presumption of the veracity of his declaration of guilt in open court during his

plea hearing, especially in light of Mr. Gyllenborg's clear and credible testimony

that he did not coerce or threatened him to plead guilty. Finally, the district court

found withdrawal of the plea would prejudice the government, inconvenience the

court, and waste judicial resources. Mr. Zambrano-Zomora was ultimately

sentenced to 151 months in prison.

                                          -5-
      On appeal, Mr. Zambrano-Zomora asserts the district court abused its

discretion by not allowing him to withdraw his guilty plea. He argues he asserted

his innocence at his plea hearing and only agreed to plead guilty because he

thought he would receive a five to six and a half year sentence. For the same

reason, he claims his plea was not knowing and voluntary. He also claims his

motion to withdraw his plea and proceed to trial caused the government no

prejudice, would result in no unreasonable delay, and would cause no

inconvenience to the court. Moreover, he asserts the interests of justice outweigh

any waste of judicial resources.

      Under Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(e), "[i]f a motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or

nolo contendere is made before sentence is imposed, the court may permit the

plea to be withdrawn if the defendant shows any fair and just reason." We review

the denial of such a motion for an abuse of discretion, and we will not reverse

unless Mr. Zambrano-Zomora can show the district court acted unjustly or

unfairly. United States v. Gordon, 4 F.3d 1567, 1572-73 (10th Cir. 1993), cert.

denied, 510 U.S. 1184 (1994). In determining if Mr. Zambrano-Zomora has

shown "fair and just reason" for allowing withdrawal of a guilty plea, we must

consider several factors, including: (1) whether Mr. Zambrano-Zomora asserted

his innocence; (2) prejudice to the government if his motion is granted; (3)

                                         -6-
whether he delayed filing the motion; (4) inconvenience to the court if his motion

is granted; (5) the assistance of counsel during the plea; (6) whether his plea was

knowing and voluntary; and (7) the waste of judicial resources. Gordon, 4 F.3d at

1572.

        We find Mr. Zambrano-Zomora’s claims that his motion to withdraw his

guilty plea would cause no prejudice to the government, undue delay, or

inconvenience to the court are unpersuasive. The record shows Mr. Zambrano-

Zomora waited until only two days before his trial to change his plea to guilty.

The government and defense counsel were ready May 4, 1998 to commence the

trial; jury members waited while the government ensured the conspiracy members,

including Mr. Zambrano-Zomora, entered their guilty pleas; and numerous

witnesses were subpoenaed and prepared to testify. Mr. Zambrano-Zomora then

waited two months until the morning of his sentencing before asking for a

continuance, and several days later finally filed his motion to withdraw his plea.

This chain of events evidences at least some prejudice to the government,

inconvenience to the court, and waste of judicial resources.

        In addition, a review of the record, including the transcript of Mr.

Zambrano-Zomora's plea hearing, his petition to enter a plea of guilty, and his

                                           -7-
plea agreement, convinces us that his plea was knowing and intelligent. Giving

great deference to the district court’s firsthand review of the testimony and its

credibility determination, see United States v. Gobey, 12 F.3d 964, 967 (10th Cir.

1993), we agree that Mr. Gyllenborg did not coerce a guilty plea through his

advice prior to and during the plea hearing. Even if Mr. Gyllenborg incorrectly

estimated the sentence at five to six and one half years, his erroneous estimation

is insufficient for Mr. Zambrano-Zomora to withdraw his guilty plea. The record

shows Mr. Zambrano-Zomora was well aware of the range of his sentence after

the district court advised him of the maximum and minimum sentence for the

crime charged prior to his plea. See United States v. Peebles, 80 F.3d 278, 279

(8th Cir. 1996). Although Mr. Zambrano-Zomora believes his sentence should be

five to six and one half years, "dissatisfaction with the length of a sentence is an

insufficient reason to withdraw a plea." Gordon, 4 F.3d at 1573. For these

reasons, we concluded the district court did not act unjustly or unfairly in denying

Mr. Zambrano-Zomora's motion to withdraw his plea.

            II. Mr. Guillermo Zambrano-Sanchez: Appeal No. 98-3227

      In the other consolidated appeal concerning the same conspiracy, Mr.

Zambrano-Sanchez challenges his 108-month sentence imposed after he pled

guilty to possession with intent to distribute a substance containing a detectable

                                          -8-
quantity of methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). Mr.

Zambrano-Sanchez, through his attorney's Anders' brief, 1 disputes the extent of

the district court's downward departure under U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1. He claims the

district court did not go far enough in departing downward two levels from the

applicable guideline sentencing range of 135 to 168 months.

       Mr. Zambrano-Sanchez provided assistance to the government by talking

with its agents and agreeing to testify concerning a phone call made from a motel

room shortly before his arrest December 1, 1997. This testimony was extremely

helpful in the case against one of the co-defendants and may have influenced the

remaining co-defendants to plead guilty, thereby eliminating the need for a

lengthy and complicated trial. As a result, the government moved for a downward

departure of two levels, which the district court granted.

       A district court may depart from the Sentencing Guidelines on a motion by

the government stating the defendant "provided substantial assistance in the

       1
         See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744 (1967) (requiring counsel who finds
an appeal to be wholly frivolous, to advise the court, request permission to withdraw, and
provide an accompanying brief referring to anything in the record that might arguably
support the appeal). Accordingly, Mr. Zambrano-Sanchez' attorney filed a motion to
withdraw after determining this appeal is frivolous and filing the appeal brief. (Motion to
Withdraw dated 2/18/99.) We grant counsel's motion to withdraw.

                                            -9-
investigation or prosecution of another person who has committed an offense."

U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1. It is well established that we lack jurisdiction to review the

district court's discretionary decision to grant a downward departure under

U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1. This principle applies equally to the extent of that departure.

See United States v. McHenry, 968 F.2d 1047, 1049 (10th Cir. 1992). Thus, we

lack jurisdiction to review Mr. Zambrano-Sanchez's claim concerning the extent

of the district court's departure.

      For these reasons, we AFFIRM the conviction and sentence in both

appeals.

                                       Entered by the Court:

                                       WADE BRORBY
                                       United States Circuit Judge

                                        -10-