RICHARD D. BENNETT, District Judge.
On August 1, 2011, Petitioner Kambreh Jones ("Petitioner") pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. Hr'g Tr., Aug. 1, 2011, ECF No. 52-2; Plea Agreement, ECF No. 24. After sentencing, Petitioner filed a pro se Motion to Withdraw Mr. Welch as his Attorney (ECF No. 46) and a pro se Motion for an Extension of Time to File a Supplemental Brief (ECF No. 47)
The Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA") obtained information from both a confidential source and a wiretap based in Yuma, Arizona, that Petitioner was speaking with a source of supply for heroin, known as "Phoenix." See Hr'g Tr., Aug. 1, 2011, ECF No. 52-2. On those interceptions, Petitioner was heard arranging for the delivery of packages of heroin from Phoenix to fictitious names, with Petitioner being the ultimate recipient. Id. Four separate packages were intercepted in 2010, and after DEA agents attempted to make a controlled delivery for one of the packages, they witnessed Petitioner waiting for the package. Id. The four packages contained a total weight of 1,178 grams of heroin. Id. Later, DEA agents obtained information from the Yuma wiretap that couriers from Yuma would be coming with heroin to deliver to Petitioner's agent. Id. DEA agents tracked the couriers from Arizona to Maryland and observed Petitioner's agent go to the courier's motel room and leave a short time later with a black object, which was later determined to contain 200 grams of heroin. Id. After further investigation, it was determined that Petitioner's agent was regularly picking up three kilograms of heroin per month for about six months on Petitioner's behalf. Id. In Petitioner's Plea Agreement, it was stipulated that Petitioner conspired with other co-conspirators to distribute more than ten kilograms but less than 30 kilograms of heroin. Plea Agreement, ECF No. 24.
On August 1, 2011, Petitioner Kambreh Jones ("Petitioner") pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. Hr'g Tr., Aug. 1, 2011, ECF No. 52-2; Plea Agreement, ECF No. 24. The plea agreement stipulated that the applicable base offense level was 36 to account for more than ten (10), but less than thirty (30) kilograms of heroin. Plea Agreement, ECF No. 24. Prior to sentencing, Petitioner filed a Motion to Withdraw William Lawrence Welch as his Attorney (ECF No. 32) and a Motion to Withdraw his Guilty Plea (ECF No. 34). At Petitioner's sentencing hearing on October 27, 2011, this Court denied both of Petitioner's motions. With respect to Petitioner's Motion to Withdraw William Lawrence Welch as his Attorney (ECF No. 32), this Court cited to United States v. Burns, 990 F.2d 1426 (4th Cir. 1993) and explained that the fact that a defendant and his attorney are not getting along is insufficient to require the appointment of substitute counsel. Hr'g Tr., Oct. 27, 2011, ECF No. 44. As for Petitioner's Motion to Withdraw his Guilty Plea (ECF No. 34), this Court denied the motion after considering the six factors in United States v. Faris, 388 F.3d 452, 456 (4th Cir. 2004) and determining that the factors weighed against granting Petitioner's motion.
This Court recognizes that Petitioner is pro se and has accorded his pleadings liberal construction. See Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007). Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, a prisoner in custody may seek to vacate, set aside or correct his sentence where (1) "the sentence was imposed in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States," (2) the court lacked "jurisdiction to impose the sentence, . . . [(3)] the sentence was in excess of the maximum authorized by law, or [(4) the sentence] is otherwise subject to a collateral attack." 28 U.S.C. § 2255. "[A]n error of law does not provide a basis for collateral attack unless the claimed error constituted `a fundamental defect which inherently results in a complete miscarriage of justice.'" United States v. Addonizio, 442 U.S. 178, 185 (1979) (quoting Hill v. United States, 368 U.S. 424, 428 (1962)).
To state a claim for relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 based on a Sixth Amendment claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a petitioner must satisfy the two-prong test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 671 (1984). See Roe v. Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. 470, 477 (2000). The first prong, the "performance" prong, requires a showing that defense counsel's representation was deficient and fell below an "objective standard of reasonableness." Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688. In making this determination, courts observe a strong presumption that counsel's actions fell within the "wide range of reasonable professional assistance." Id. at 688-89. The second prong, the "prejudice" prong, requires that defendant demonstrate that his counsel's errors deprived him of a fair trial. Id. at 687.
In applying the Strickland test, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has noted that there is no reason to address both prongs if the defendant makes "`an insufficient showing on one.'" Moore v. Hardee, 723 F.3d 488, 500 (4th Cir. 2013) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697). Thus, ineffective assistance of counsel claims may be disposed of based solely on a deficiency in satisfying either the "performance" prong or the "prejudice" prong. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697. The Fourth Circuit has also noted that the mere possibility of a different trial result does not satisfy the burden of proving prejudice placed on the defendant. See Hoots v. Allsbrook, 785 F.2d 1214, 1221 (4th Cir. 1986). Additionally, "[i]neffective assistance claims are generally not cognizable on direct appeal . . . `unless [an attorney's ineffectiveness] conclusively appears from the record.'" United States v. Benton, 523 F.3d 424, 435 (4th Cir. 2008) (quoting United States v. Richardson, 195 F.3d 192, 198 (4th Cir. 1999)). Furthermore, when a defendant alleges ineffective assistance after a guilty plea has been entered, the burden of proving the second prong of prejudice becomes even greater. In Hooper v. Garraghty, 845 F.2d 471 (4th Cir. 1988), the Fourth Circuit explained: "Such a defendant "must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's errors, he would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on going to trial." Hooper, 845 F.2d at 475 (quoting Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52, 59 (1985)).
In his Motion to Vacate, Petitioner alleges he was denied his Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel because his attorney materially misinformed him when advising him to plead guilty.
Under Strickland, the Petitioner must first show that defense counsel's representation was deficient and fell below an "objective standard of reasonableness." 466 U.S. at 688. The Court applies a strong presumption that counsel's actions fell within the "wide range of reasonable professional assistance." Id. at 689. Here, Petitioner argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because his attorney allegedly told him that that his base offense level would be 36 regardless of whether he pled guilty to one kilogram of heroin or ten. Pet'rs Mot. to Vacate, ECF No. 50. However, at sentencing, Petitioner's Counsel stated that he advised Petitioner that contesting the drug quantity at trial would likely lead to a loss of a downward adjustment to Petitioner's base offense level under Chapter Three of the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which Petitioner would have been entitled to under the plea agreement.
Petitioner's ineffective assistance of counsel claim is also undermined by his assurances to this Court under oath. "Absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, a defendant is bound by the representations he makes under oath during a plea colloquy." Fields v. Attorney Gen. of Md., 956 F.2d 1290, 1299 (4th Cir. 1992). At his rearraignment hearing, Petitioner represented to this Court that he was fully satisfied with the representation of his attorney and that he discussed with his attorney the merits of a potential trial.
Petitioner also cites to several cases to show that his Counsel was deficient. However, these cases are inapposite. For example, Petitioner cites to United States v. Lewis, 477 F. App'x 79 (4th Cir. 2012), where the defendant was charged with conspiracy to distribute over five grams of cocaine base. Id. at 80. Defendant's counsel erroneously advised him that if convicted at trial, he would be subject to a mandatory life sentence, whereas defendant was actually facing a life sentence at trial, but not a mandatory one. Id. at 82-83. The court vacated the defendant's guilty plea. Id. at 84. The court reasoned that Counsel's performance was deficient because Counsel "gave legal advice predicated on a plainly false interpretation of federal law." Id. at 82.
Here, unlike the Counsel in Lewis, Petitioner's Counsel properly advised him that although he could litigate the issue of drug quantity at trial, Petitioner would lose any downward adjustment to his base offense level for acceptance of responsibility pursuant to chapter three of the sentencing guidelines.
Petitioner's claim is also insufficient to demonstrate prejudice under the second prong of Strickland. A defendant who has entered a guilty plea "must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's errors, he would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on going to trial." Hooper, 845 F.2d at 475 (quoting Lockhart, 474 U.S. at 59). In the instant case, Petitioner made a strategic decision not to proceed to trial. Had Petitioner proceeded to trial, the Government contends that it may have sought a longer sentence for Petitioner's leadership role in the offense. Hr'g Tr., Oct. 27, 2011, ECF No. 44. Moreover, Petitioner would have likely lost any downward adjustment to his base offense level for acceptance of responsibility that he received under the Plea Agreement. Petitioner also has not maintained his innocence to this court, which further undermines his argument that he would have opted for trial instead of entering into a plea agreement. Correspondence from Def. Kambreh Jones (ECF No. 27); see Cullen v. United States, 194 F.3d 401, 407 (2nd Cir. 1999) (stating that "innocence is a factor relevant to any conclusion as to whether [the defendant] has shown a reasonable probability that he would have pled guilty"). Therefore, even if Petitioner's Counsel misinformed him, Petitioner cannot show that but for the alleged error, there is a "reasonable probability" he would have proceeded to trial.
Petitioner also fails to demonstrate prejudice because a proper Rule 11 Plea Colloquy can correct erroneous advice provided by Counsel. See United States v. Foster, 68 F.3d 86, 88 (4th Cir. 1995)(stating that "any misinformation [Defendant] may have received from his attorney was corrected by the trial court at the Rule 11 hearing"). At Petitioner's rearraignment hearing, this Court advised Petitioner that under the Plea Agreement, his base offense level would be 33, and that if Petitioner were to proceed to trial, he would face a minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Hr'g Tr., Aug. 1, 2011, ECF No. 52-2. The Court also advised Petitioner that the anticipated range under the Plea Agreement would be between 168 and 210 months, and that if the Court sentenced him to a term longer than 210 months, Petitioner would have the opportunity to withdraw his plea. Id. The presentence report ultimately found that the appropriate range was between 168 and 210 months, and Petitioner was sentenced within that range. Id.; Hr'g Tr., Oct. 27, 2011, ECF No. 44. Accordingly, any errors Counsel made in advising Petitioner were corrected by the Rule 11 Plea Colloquy, and Petitioner has therefore failed to demonstrate that he was prejudiced by counsel's allegedly defective guidance.
Ultimately, Petitioner's argument fails under both prongs of the Strickland test. The actions of Petitioner's Counsel did not fall outside the "wide range of reasonable professional assistance" nor can Petitioner show he was prejudiced by Counsel's alleged innacurate statements.
For the foregoing reasons, Petitioner's pro se Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence (ECF No. 50) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 is DENIED. Additionally, Petitioner's pro se Motion to Withdraw Mr. Welch as his Attorney (ECF No. 46) is GRANTED, and Petitioner's pro se Motion for an Extension of Time to File a Supplemental Brief (ECF No. 47) in his appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is DENIED AS MOOT.
Pursuant to Rule 11(a) of the Rules Governing Proceedings under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, the court is required to issue or deny a certificate of appealability when it enters a final order adverse to the applicant. A certificate of appealability is a "jurisdictional prerequisite" to an appeal from the court's earlier order. United States v. Hadden, 475 F.3d 652, 659 (4th Cir. 2007). A certificate of appealability may issue "only if the applicant has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right." 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). Where the court denies a petitioner's motion on its merits, a petitioner satisfies this standard by demonstrating that reasonable jurists would find the court's assessment of the constitutional claims debatable or wrong. See Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 336-38 (2003); Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000). Because reasonable jurists would not find Petitioner's claims debatable, a certificate of appealability is DENIED.
A separate Order follows.
