ROBERT L. MILLER, Jr., District Judge.
Scott Owens pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and was sentenced to 46 months' imprisonment. This matter is before the court on Mr. Owens's motion to vacate and correct his sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. For the reasons that follow, the court denies Mr. Owens's motion.
Mr. Owens pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). He had one prior felony conviction, domestic battery, that's relevant to this claim. The court considered his prior felony conviction as a "crime of violence" under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2. With one prior conviction for a felony "crime of violence" and because he possessed a firearm capable of accepting a large capacity magazine, the court assigned Mr. Owens a base offense level of 22. U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(a)(3). With a three-level reduction for acceptance of responsibility, U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1, his final adjusted offense level was 19. Without the prior "crime of violence," Mr. Owens's final adjusted offense level would have been 17. U.S.S.G. §§ 2K2.1(a)(4), 3E1.1. The guidelines recommended a sentence of 46 to 57 months instead of a sentence from 37 to 46 months without the prior "crime of violence." See U.S.S.G. § 5A. The court sentenced Mr. Owens to 46 months.
As part of his plea agreement, Mr. Owens agreed to the following:
Pet. to Enter a Guilty Plea, ¶ 9(d) (emphasis added).
On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court decided
18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(B).
Mr. Owens wasn't sentenced under the definition of "violent felony" in the ACCA, but under identical language in the guidelines defining "crime of violence." Mr. Owens argues that after
A person convicted of a federal crime can challenge his sentence on grounds that the sentence violates the Constitution or laws of the United States. 28 U.S.C. § 2255(a). Generally, issues not argued and decided on direct appeal can't be raised in a § 2255 petition unless the petitioner can show good cause and actual prejudice for the procedural default.
An evidentiary hearing isn't required if "the motion and files and records of the case conclusively show that the petitioner is entitled to no relief." 28 U.S.C. § 2255. The factual and legal issues raised can be resolved on the record, so no hearing is necessary.
The court can't reach the merits of Mr. Owens's petition because the appeal waiver prevents him from raising them.
"We will enforce an appeal waiver in a plea agreement if the terms of the waiver are clear and unambiguous and the defendant knowingly and voluntarily entered into the agreement."
Mr. Owens's appeal waiver was knowing and voluntary. The waiver explicitly says that by pleading guilty, he waives his right to contest his sentence in "any post-conviction proceeding, including but not limited to, a proceeding under Title 28, United States Code, Section 2255." The waiver was knowing and voluntary and the current claim falls within its scope, so the waiver "must be enforced."
There are limited exceptions to this rule. A court will disregard the waiver if "the district court relied on a constitutionally impermissible factor (such as race), the sentence exceeded the statutory maximum, [ ] the defendant claims ineffective assistance of counsel in connection with the negotiation of the plea agreement,"
None of these exceptions apply. Mr. Owens was sentenced based on his crime and his criminal history, not a constitutionally impermissible factor. The sentence was within the statutory maximum. Mr. Owens was represented at the time he pleaded guilty and doesn't challenge his attorney's performance. Last, nothing suggests that Mr. Owens signed onto an uncivilized procedure. That is enough to close the door on his challenge. See
Last, Mr. Owens hasn't substantially shown he was denied a constitutional right, and so the court issues no certificate of appealability. 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). Should a court reach the merits of his argument, he hasn't shown that felony domestic battery could arguably fall outside the definition of "crime of violence." A "crime of violence" exists if the crime "has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force." U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(a)(1).
Based on the foregoing, the court DENIES Mr. Owens's motion to vacate and correct his sentence [Doc. No. 51] and issues no certificate of appealability.
SO ORDERED.