The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
EASTERN DIVISION
COURTNEY A. BROWN, )
)
Petitioner, )
)
v. ) Case No. 4:20CV858 HEA
)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, )
)
Respondent. )
OPINION, MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court on Petitioner Courtney A. Brown’s Motion to
Vacate, Set Aside or Correct Sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 [Doc. No. 1].
The United States of America has responded to the Motion pursuant to the Court’s
Show Cause Order. Although Petitioner was granted an extension to file a Reply,
Petitioner has not done so. For the reasons set forth below, the Motion will be
denied.
Factual Background
The factual background is set forth in the record, the Guilty Plea Agreement,
and the United States of America’s Response.
Procedural Background
Petitioner filed his Motion to Vacate, Set Aside or Correct Sentence
On March 15, 2018, a federal grand jury charged Petitioner with one count
of conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine (Count Three),
and one count of discharge of a firearm, resulting in death, in furtherance of a drug
trafficking crime (Count Four). hereafter, Petitioner waived his right to file pretrial
motions.
On March 29, 2019, Petitioner pleaded guilty to Count Three of the
Indictment pursuant to a Guilty Plea Agreement (the “Agreement”). The
Agreement provided, in pertinent part:
As to Count Three, the defendant admits to knowingly violating Title 21,
United States Code, Sections 841(a) and 846, and admits there is a factual
basis for the plea and further fully understands that the elements of the crime
are: (a) Beginning at an exact time unknown, but including October 10,
201[7] and through the date of this Indictment, in the Eastern District of
Missouri, the defendant reached an agreement or came to an understanding,
with persons known and unknown to the Government, to possess with the
intent to distribute methamphetamine; and (b) That the defendant voluntarily
and intentionally joined in the agreement or understanding, either at the time
it was first reached or at some time while it was still in effect; and (c) That at
the time the defendant joined in the agreement or understanding, he knew
the purpose of the agreement; and (d) That the amount of methamphetamine
in the offense and attributable to the defendant by virtue of his own conduct
and the reasonably foreseeable conduct of co-conspirators was in excess of
500 grams.
Pursuant to the Agreement, Petitioner also agreed to “waive all rights
to appeal all non-jurisdictional, non-sentencing issues, including, but not limited
to, any issues relating to pretrial motions, discovery, the guilty plea, the
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defendant’s conduct falls within the scope of the statute(s).” Petitioner also
agreed to waive all rights to contest the conviction or sentence in any post-
conviction proceeding, including one pursuant to 28 USC, § 2255, except for
claims of prosecutorial misconduct or ineffective assistance of counsel.
During the change of plea hearing, Petitioner, who was under oath,
confirmed that he was satisfied with the representation he received from his
attorney, understood the consequences of pleading guilty, and had reviewed and
understood the terms of the Agreement. Petitioner admitted that he was guilty of
each of the elements for the crimes to which he was pleading guilty, and the
Statement of Facts as set forth in the Agreement.
Petitioner appeared for sentencing on July 8, 2019. During the hearing,
Petitioner agreed that he had gone over the Presentence Investigation Report with
his lawyer and that while he objected to some information in the factual basis,
there was no objection to the Sentencing Guideline Calculations. The Sentencing
Guideline range in Petitioner’s case was 360 months to life. After hearing
argument from counsel and allocution, the Court then sentenced Petitioner to a
below-guidelines sentence of 180 months imprisonment.
Petitioner did not appeal his conviction or sentence.
Legal Standards
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A federal prisoner seeking relief from a sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 on
the ground “that the sentence was imposed in violation of the Constitution or laws
of the United States, or that the court was without jurisdiction to impose such
sentence, or that the sentence was in excess of the maximum authorized by law, or
is otherwise subject to collateral attack, may move the court which imposed the
sentence to vacate, set aside or correct the sentence.” 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Federal
habeas relief is limited to rectifying “jurisdictional errors, constitutional errors, and
errors of law.” Raymond v. United States, 933 F.3d 988, 991 (8th Cir. 2019). Errors
of law, moreover, only constitute grounds for relief under § 2255 when such error
“constitute[s] a fundamental defect which inherently results in a complete
miscarriage of justice.” United States v. Addonizio, 442 U.S. 178, 185 (1979)
(internal quotation omitted). Movant bears the burden to prove he is entitled to
relief. Golinveaux v. United States, 915 F.3d 564, 567 (8th Cir. 2019).
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
“The standard set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct.
2052, 80 L.E.2d 674 (1984), provides the framework for evaluating
[Movant’s] ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim.” Anderson v. United
States, 762 F.3d 787, 792 (8th Cir. 2014). [Movant] “must show that his
counsel’s performance was deficient and that [he] suffered prejudice as a
result” to prove a violation of his Sixth Amendment rights. Id.
“Deficient performance is that which falls below the range of competence
demanded of attorneys in criminal cases.” Bass v. United States, 655 F.3d
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‘high bar’ for unreasonable assistance.” Love [v. United States], 949 F.3d
[406], 410 [8th Cir. 2020] (quoting Buck v. Davis, 137 S. Ct. 759, 775
(2017)). Only a performance “outside the wide range of reasonable
professional assistance” is constitutionally deficient. Id. (internal quotation
omitted). “We make every effort to eliminate the distorting effects of
hindsight and consider performance from counsel’s perspective at the time.”
Id. (internal quotation omitted).
“Prejudice requires the movant to establish ‘a reasonable probability that,
but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would
have been different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to
undermine confidence in the outcome.’” Bass, 655 F.3d at 760 (quoting
Strickland, 446 U.S. at 694).
O'Neil v. United States, 966 F.3d 764, 770-71 (8th Cir. 2020).
It is well-established that a petitioner’s ineffective assistance of counsel
claim is properly raised under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 rather than on direct appeal.
United States v. Davis, 452 F.3d 991, 994 (8th Cir.2006); United States v. Cordy,
560 F.3d 808, 817 (8th Cir. 2009). The burden of demonstrating ineffective
assistance of counsel is on a defendant. United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648, 658
(1984); United States v. White, 341 F.3d 673, 678 (8th Cir.2003).
Both parts of the Strickland test must be met in order for an ineffective
assistance of counsel claim to succeed. Anderson v. United States, 393 F.3d 749,
753 (8th Cir. 2005), cert. denied, 546 U.S. 882 (2005). The first part of the test
requires a “showing that counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not
functioning as the counsel guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment.” Id.
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“presumes counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional
assistance.” Id. The Court does not second-guess trial strategy or rely on the
benefit of hindsight, id., and the attorney’s conduct must fall below an objective
standard of reasonableness to be found ineffective, United States v. Ledezma-
Rodriguez, 423 F.3d 830, 836 (8th Cir. 2005). If the underlying claim (i.e., the
alleged deficient performance) would have been rejected, counsel's performance is
not deficient. Carter v. Hopkins, 92 F.3d 666, 671 (8th Cir.1996). Courts seek to
“eliminate the distorting effects of hindsight” by examining counsel’s performance
from counsel’s perspective at the time of the alleged error. Id.
The second part of the Strickland test requires that Movant show that he was
prejudiced by counsel’s error, and “that there is a reasonable probability that, but
for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been
different.” Anderson, 393 F.3d at 753-54, quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. A
reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. When determining if prejudice exists, the
Court “must consider the totality of the evidence before the judge or jury.” Id. at
695; Williams v. U.S., 452 F.3d 1009, 1012-13 (8th Cir. 2006).
The first prong of the Strickland test, that of attorney competence, is applied
in the same manner to guilty pleas as it is to trial convictions. The prejudice prong,
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the result would be different, the defendant who has pled guilty must establish 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.” Hill v. Lockhart, 474
U.S. 52, 59 (1985).
Right to Evidentiary Hearing
The Court must hold an evidentiary hearing to consider claims in a § 2255
motion “‘[u]nless the motion and the files and records of the case conclusively
show that the prisoner is entitled to no relief.’” Shaw v. United States, 24 F.3d
1040, 1043 (8th Cir. 1994) (alteration in original) (quoting 28 U.S.C. § 2255).
Thus, a movant is entitled to an evidentiary hearing “‘when the facts alleged, if
true, would entitle [the movant] to relief.’” Payne v. United States, 78 F.3d 343,
347 (8th Cir. 1996), quoting Wade v. Armontrout, 798 F.2d 304, 306 (8th Cir.
1986). The Court may dismiss a claim “without an evidentiary hearing if the claim
is inadequate on its face or if the record affirmatively refutes the factual assertions
upon which it is based.” Shaw, 24 F.3d at 1043, citing Larson v. United States, 905
F.2d 218, 220-21 (8th Cir. 1990).
Since the Court finds that Movant’s claims can be conclusively determined
based upon the parties’ filings and the records of the case, no evidentiary hearing
will be necessary.
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Grounds One and Four
In Ground One of his Petition, Petitioner claims his counsel was ineffective
for failing to investigate the law surrounding the “knowledge” element of 21
U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1). Petitioner claims this was a violation of the law
under the Rehaif decision.
In Ground Four of his Petition, Petitioner claims counsel was ineffective for
allowing him to plead guilty with a firearm enhancement when no firearm was
recovered.
Petitioner’s reliance on Rehaif v. United States, 139 S. Ct. 2191 (2019), is
misplaced. Rehaif applies to cases involving 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). Petitioner
pleaded guilty to a violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a). Ground One is
denied.
With respect to the enhancement, Petitioner admitted that his co-conspirator
was killed by gunfire during their attempt to steal methamphetamine from
Coffman’s trailer. As the Government correctly argues, this admission is more than
sufficient to establish the requisite facts for the Court to apply a two-point
enhancement under USSG § 2D1.1(b)(1). Ground Four is denied.
Grounds Two and Three
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have to serve 65% of his sentence, and that counsel was ineffective for incorrectly
advising him he would qualify for the Bureau of Prisons’ Residential Drug Abuse
Program (RDAP).
“[E]rroneous advice concerning parole eligibility may constitute ineffective
assistance of counsel.” Hale v. Lockhart, 903 F.2d 545, 549 (8th Cir. 1989). But
this erroneous advice must affect the defendant's decision to plead guilty. See Hill
v. Lockhart, 894 F.2d 1009, 1010 (8th Cir. 1990). For example, in Hill, the Eighth
Circuit concluded that counsel's erroneous parole eligibility advice was
constitutionally deficient because the defendant “made clear that the timing of
eligibility was the dispositive issue for him in accepting or rejecting a plea
bargain.” Id. By contrast, Petitioner here does not allege facts that would show that
early release was a critical factor in his decision to plead guilty. Without the plea
agreement, Petitioner was facing a sentencing range of 360 months to life
imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum of 10 years. Petitioner does not argue
that he would have gone to trial if his counsel had not given him this inaccurate
advice. Rather, Petitioner merely states that this advice affected the plea process.
Petitioner has therefore failed to show that he was prejudiced by his counsel's
failure. Ground Three is denied.
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qualify for time off from participating in RDAP when having a firearm precludes
participation. He once again states that this was prejudicial because it affected the
plea process; Petitioner does not claim that but for this advice, he would not have
pled guilty. Again, Petitioner was facing 360 years to life, and there is nothing in
the record to demonstrate that this advice from counsel was a determinative factor
in his decision to accept the Government’s plea offer. Indeed, as Respondent points
out, Petitioner has failed to present any authority that he must be notified of which
programs within the Bureau of Prisons he may qualify. Ground Four is denied.
Conclusion
Based upon the foregoing analysis, none of Petitioner’s claims entitle him to
relief. Petitioner’s motion will be denied in its entirety.
Certificate of Appealability
In a § 2255 proceeding before a district judge, the final order is subject to
review on appeal by the court of appeals for the circuit in which the proceeding is
held. 28 U.S.C. § 2253(a). However, unless a circuit judge issues a certificate of
appealability, an appeal may not be taken to the court of appeals. Id. §
2253(c)(1)(A). A district court possesses the authority to issue certificates of
appealability under § 2253(c) and Fed. R. App. P. 22(b). See Tiedeman v. Benson,
122 F.3d 518, 522 (8th Cir. 1997). Under 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2), a certificate of
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denial of a constitutional right. See Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 335–36
(2003); Tiedeman, 122 F.3d at 523. To make such a showing, the issues must be
debatable among reasonable jurists, a court could resolve the issues differently, or
the issues deserve further proceedings. See Miller-El, 537 U.S. at 335–36
(reiterating standard).
Courts reject constitutional claims either on the merits or on procedural
grounds. “‘[W]here a district court has rejected the constitutional claims on the
merits, the showing required to satisfy § 2253(c) is straightforward: [t]he [movant]
must demonstrate that reasonable jurists would find the district court's assessment
of the constitutional claims debatable or wrong.’” Miller-El, 537 U.S. at 338,
quoting Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000). When a motion is dismissed
on procedural grounds without reaching the underlying constitutional claim, “the
[Movant must show], at least, that jurists of reason would find it debatable whether
the petition states a valid claim of the denial of a constitutional right and that jurists
of reason would find it debatable whether the district court was correct in its
procedural ruling.” See Slack, 529 U.S. at 484.
Having thoroughly reviewed the record in this case, the Court finds that
Petitioner has failed to make the requisite “substantial showing.” See 28 U.S.C. §
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2253(c)(2); Fed. R. App. P. 22(b). Accordingly, a certificate of appealability will
not issue.
Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Petitioner's Motion to Vacate, Set Aside,
or Correct Sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 [Doc. No. 1] is DENIED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Court will not issue a certificate of
appealability. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253.
A separate judgment in accordance with this Opinion, Memorandum and
Order is entered this same date.
Dated this 8 day of September, 2023.
Hasbood [lab
HENRY EDWARD AUTREY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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