Filed: Apr. 09, 2015
Latest Update: Apr. 09, 2015
Summary: ORDER TERRY L. WOOTEN , Chief District Judge . This matter is before the Court upon Defendant's motion filed on April 3, 2015, in which Defendant asks the court to compel the Government to file a motion to reduce his sentence pursuant to Fed.R.Crim.P. 35(b). Doc. #886. The Government has responded and opposes this motion. Doc. #891. Rule 35(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure establishes that a court may reduce a sentence to reflect substantial assistance by the defendant upon a
Summary: ORDER TERRY L. WOOTEN , Chief District Judge . This matter is before the Court upon Defendant's motion filed on April 3, 2015, in which Defendant asks the court to compel the Government to file a motion to reduce his sentence pursuant to Fed.R.Crim.P. 35(b). Doc. #886. The Government has responded and opposes this motion. Doc. #891. Rule 35(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure establishes that a court may reduce a sentence to reflect substantial assistance by the defendant upon a m..
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ORDER
TERRY L. WOOTEN, Chief District Judge.
This matter is before the Court upon Defendant's motion filed on April 3, 2015, in which Defendant asks the court to compel the Government to file a motion to reduce his sentence pursuant to Fed.R.Crim.P. 35(b). Doc. #886. The Government has responded and opposes this motion. Doc. #891.
Rule 35(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure establishes that a court may reduce a sentence to reflect substantial assistance by the defendant upon a motion by the government. It is settled in the Fourth Circuit that a court may grant a downward departure in the absence of a government motion only if: 1) the government has obligated itself in a plea agreement to move for a departure, or 2) the government's refusal to move for a departure was based on an unconstitutional motive. See United States v. Wallace, 22 F.3d 84, 87 (4th Cir. 1994)(citing Wade v. United States, 504 U.S. 181, 185-86 (1992). A defendant seeking relief under the first factor bears the burden of proving the breach of a plea obligation by a preponderance of the evidence according to normal contract principles. See United States v. Martin, 25 F.3d 211, 217 (4th Cir. 1994); United States v. Conner, 930 F.2d 1073, 1076 (4th Cir. 1991). A defendant seeking relief under either factor is not entitled to an evidentiary hearing on the basis of mere allegations; he must go beyond mere allegations and make a "substantial threshold showing" that the government was obligated or that an unconstitutional motive was involved before an evidentiary hearing and consideration on the merits are warranted. See United States v. Taylor, 1999 WL 30928 at 3 (4th Cir. January 26, 1999) (unpublished) (requiring a substantial threshold showing on the first factor); Wallace, 22 F.3d at 87 (requiring a substantial threshold showing on the second factor).
The record does not reflect that there is an appropriate basis to reduce Defendant's sentence at this time. Specifically, the Government has not made a motion pursuant to Rule 35(b). Additionally, Defendant has not presented evidence that the government obligated itself to file another motion pursuant to Rule 35(b), nor has Defendant made a substantial threshold showing of an unconstitutional motive as required to obtain relief under Wallace. The Court notes that while the Defendant states he has provided assistance, he does not provide specific information nor does he provide documentation. Furthermore, Defendant received a downward departure at his original sentencing and the Government did not pursue an enhanced sentence pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 851, despite Defendant's prior drug convictions. Docs. #292, 418. Thus, the Government "believes [Defendant] has been rewarded for his cooperation with the government" and that "further reduction . . . is not warranted." Doc. #891. In sum, Defendant has provided no basis to compel a reduction of his sentence under Rule 35(b). Accordingly, the Court concludes that Defendant's motion to compel, Doc. #886, is without merit.
IT IS SO ORDERED.