Court Opinion

ID: 9964111
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-04-27 00:00:39.53231+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:25:10.391746
License: Public Domain

Case: 23-20503           Document: 46-1         Page: 1      Date Filed: 04/26/2024

          United States Court of Appeals
               for the Fifth Circuit                                          United States Court of Appeals
                                  ____________                                         Fifth Circuit

                                                                                     FILED
                                   No. 23-20503                                   April 26, 2024
                                 Summary Calendar                                 Lyle W. Cayce
                                 ____________                                          Clerk

United States of America,

                                                                   Plaintiff—Appellee,

                                         versus

Rhonda Fleming,

                                           Defendant—Appellant.
                  ______________________________

                  Appeal from the United States District Court
                      for the Southern District of Texas
                           USDC No. 4:07-CR-513-1
                  ______________________________

Before Smith, Southwick, and Wilson, Circuit Judges.
Per Curiam:*
      Rhonda Fleming, federal prisoner #20446-009, moves to proceed in
forma pauperis (“IFP”) on appeal of the denial of her motion for compass-
sionate release, filed per 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). Fleming asserts that
the district court erred by determining that she had not established
extraordinary and compelling reasons warranting a reduced sentence and

      _____________________
      *
          This opinion is not designated for publication. See 5th Cir. R. 47.5.
Case: 23-20503        Document: 46-1       Page: 2    Date Filed: 04/26/2024

                                 No. 23-20503

that the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors did not support a sentence reduction.
       We review the denial of the motion for abuse of discretion. See United
States v. Chambliss, 948 F.3d 691, 693 (5th Cir. 2020). The district court
concluded that the § 3553(a) factors did not warrant relief; specifically, the
court cited Fleming’s history and characteristics and the need for the sen-
tence to promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, and ade-
quately deter criminal conduct. See § 3553(a)(1), (2)(A), (B).
       Although Fleming disagrees with the district court’s weighing of the
§ 3553(a) factors, her disagreement is not a sufficient ground for reversal. See
Chambliss, 948 F.3d at 694. Because Fleming has failed to demonstrate that
there is a nonfrivolous argument that the district court abused its discretion
by denying relief based on the balancing of the § 3553(a) factors, we need not
consider her arguments regarding extraordinary and compelling reasons. See
id. at 693–94.
       The motion to proceed IFP is DENIED, and the appeal is
DISMISSED as frivolous. See Baugh v. Taylor, 117 F.3d 197, 202 n.24 (5th
Cir. 1997); Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 220 (5th Cir. 1983); 5th Cir. R.
42.2. Fleming is WARNED that additional frivolous or repetitive filings in
this court or the district court will result in monetary sanctions and limits on
her access to this court and any court subject to this court’s jurisdiction.
       Fleming’s motion for the appointment of counsel, motion for bail
pending appeal, motion for summary disposition, motion to expedite appeal,
and motion to transfer the appeal are all DENIED.

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