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U.S. v. MORTON, 8:06-cr-512-T-23TBM (2015)

Court: District Court, M.D. Florida Number: infdco20151023j14
Filed: Oct. 21, 2015
Latest Update: Oct. 21, 2015
Summary: ORDER STEVEN D. MERRYDAY , District Judge . Morton moves to vacate under 28 U.S.C. 2255 and challenges his sentence under the Armed Career Criminal Act ("ACCA"). Earlier orders (Docs. 50 and 53) administratively closed and re-opened this action based on Johnson v. United States, 135 S.Ct. 2551, 2563 (2015), which holds that the residual clause of the ACCA is unconstitutionally vague. The parties have briefed Morton's entitlement to the retroactive application of Johnson. (Docs. 56 an
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ORDER

Morton moves to vacate under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 and challenges his sentence under the Armed Career Criminal Act ("ACCA"). Earlier orders (Docs. 50 and 53) administratively closed and re-opened this action based on Johnson v. United States, 135 S.Ct. 2551, 2563 (2015), which holds that the residual clause of the ACCA is unconstitutionally vague. The parties have briefed Morton's entitlement to the retroactive application of Johnson. (Docs. 56 and 57) The United States admits (1) that Morton is entitled both to retroactive application of Johnson and, as a consequence, to re-sentencing because he no longer qualifies for an enhanced sentence under the ACCA and (2) that Morton's maximum sentence without the ACCA enhancement is ten years. See In re Rivero, 797 F.3d 986 (11th Cir. 2015) ("If Rivero — like the petitioner in Bousley — were seeking a first collateral review of his sentence, the new substantive rule from Johnson would apply retroactively."). Morton argues that, because his imprisonment for nearly nine years equals the maximum possible sentence after accounting for gain time, he is entitled to release from imprisonment.

The motion to vacate asserts three grounds for relief, each of which depends upon the asserted unconstitutionality of Morton's enhanced sentence under the residual clause of the ACCA. The retroactive application of Johnson resolves each ground for relief.

Accordingly, the motion to vacate under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (Doc. 1) is GRANTED; the August 14, 2007 judgment, Doc. 32 in Case No. 06-cr-512, is VACATED; and a separate order in Case No. 06-cr-512 will schedule a prompt re-sentencing for Morton. The clerk must enter a judgment for Morton in, and close, this case.

Source:  Leagle

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