Filed: Jul. 17, 2006
Latest Update: Feb. 12, 2020
Summary: UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT No. 05-5172 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, versus MICHAEL WAYNE ISLEY, Defendant - Appellant. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, at Durham. N. Carlton Tilley, Jr., Chief District Judge. (CR-05-216) Submitted: June 21, 2006 Decided: July 17, 2006 Before WILLIAMS, MICHAEL, and TRAXLER, Circuit Judges. Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Louis C. Allen, III
Summary: UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT No. 05-5172 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, versus MICHAEL WAYNE ISLEY, Defendant - Appellant. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, at Durham. N. Carlton Tilley, Jr., Chief District Judge. (CR-05-216) Submitted: June 21, 2006 Decided: July 17, 2006 Before WILLIAMS, MICHAEL, and TRAXLER, Circuit Judges. Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Louis C. Allen, III,..
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UNPUBLISHED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
No. 05-5172
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff - Appellee,
versus
MICHAEL WAYNE ISLEY,
Defendant - Appellant.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle
District of North Carolina, at Durham. N. Carlton Tilley, Jr.,
Chief District Judge. (CR-05-216)
Submitted: June 21, 2006 Decided: July 17, 2006
Before WILLIAMS, MICHAEL, and TRAXLER, Circuit Judges.
Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion.
Louis C. Allen, III, Federal Public Defender, William C. Ingram,
Assistant Federal Public Defender, Greensboro, North Carolina, for
Appellant. Kearns Davis, Assistant United States Attorney,
Greensboro, North Carolina, for Appellee.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
See Local Rule 36(c).
PER CURIAM:
Michael Wayne Isley appeals his conviction and sentence
for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana
in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (2000), conspiracy to possess
with the intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride in violation of
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (2000), distribution of marijuana in
violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (2000), counterfeiting in
violation of 18 U.S.C. § 473 (2000), possession with the intent to
distribute cocaine hydrochloride in violation of 21 U.S.C.
§ 841(a)(1) (2000), possession with the intent to distribute
marijuana in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (2000), and
possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in
violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (2000). Isley’s attorney has filed
a brief in accordance with Anders v. California,
386 U.S. 738
(1967), certifying there are no meritorious issues for appeal.
Isley has been notified of his right to file a pro se supplemental
brief but has not done so. Finding no reversible error, we affirm.
Isley raises the issue of whether the district court
erred by denying his oral motion to withdraw his guilty plea.
“[T]he district court has discretion to decide whether a ‘fair and
just reason’ exists upon which to grant a withdrawal.” United
States v. Bowman,
348 F.3d 408, 413 (4th Cir. 2003). The district
court’s denial of a motion to withdraw a guilty plea is reviewed
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for abuse of discretion. United States v. Wilson,
81 F.3d 1300,
1305 (4th Cir. 1996).
In determining whether a defendant has shown a “fair and
just reason” to withdraw his guilty plea, a court examines the
following six factors:
(1) whether the defendant has offered credible evidence
that his plea was not knowing or not voluntary,
(2) whether the defendant has credibly asserted his legal
innocence, (3) whether there has been a delay between the
entering of the plea and the filing of the motion,
(4) whether defendant has had close assistance of
competent counsel, (5) whether withdrawal will cause
prejudice to the government, and (6) whether it will
inconvenience the court and waste judicial resources.
United States v. Moore,
931 F.2d 245, 248 (4th Cir. 1991). The
most important consideration in resolving a motion to withdraw a
plea, however, is whether the Rule 11 plea colloquy was properly
conducted.
Bowman, 348 F.3d at 414. We closely scrutinize the
Rule 11 hearing and attach a strong presumption that the plea is
final and binding if the Rule 11 proceeding is adequate. United
States v. Lambey,
974 F.2d 1389, 1394 (4th Cir. 1992).
Isley contends that he did not plead guilty knowingly or
voluntarily because he did not understand the legal system. The
district court conducted a thorough Rule 11 plea colloquy,
including a full explanation of the elements of each count and the
possible penalties. Isley said he understood the charges against
him and that he pled guilty knowingly and voluntarily. The
district court properly conducted its Rule 11 colloquy and Isley
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failed to submit any evidence to counter the strong presumption
that his plea was final and binding. In addition, Isley also
failed to credibly assert his legal innocence and has not justified
the delay in time between the entering of his guilty plea and the
oral motion to withdraw the guilty plea at sentencing. The
district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Isley’s
motion to withdraw the guilty plea.
Pursuant to Anders, we have examined the entire record
and find no meritorious issues for appeal. Accordingly, we affirm
the judgment of the district court. This court requires that
counsel inform his client, in writing, of his right to petition the
Supreme Court of the United States for further review. If the
client requests that a petition be filed, but counsel believes that
such a petition would be frivolous, then counsel may move in this
court for leave to withdraw from representation. Counsel’s motion
must state that a copy thereof was served on the client. We
dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions
are adequately presented in the materials before the court and
argument would not aid the decisional process.
AFFIRMED
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