# Opinion

> District Court, M.D. Florida · March 23, 2026

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/11362773

## Case

- **Full name:** Wayne Lee Johnson v. United States of America
- **Court:** District Court, M.D. Florida
- **Decided:** March 23, 2026
- **Opinion:** 100trialcourt
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

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## Opinion text

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION

WAYNE LEE JOHNSON,

Movant,

v. Case No. 8:24-cv-2374-WFJ-AEP
Crim. Case No. 8:19-cr-242-WFJ-AEP

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Respondent.
/

ORDER

Wayne Lee Johnson is a federal prisoner serving a 180-month sentence for several
drug-trafficking offenses. He moves pro se to vacate his convictions under 28 U.S.C. §
2255. (Civ. Docs. 5, 6). The United States responded to the motion, and Mr. Johnson filed
a reply. (Civ. Docs. 13, 14). After careful review, the motion is DENIED.
I. Background
On the evening of April 29, 2019, Mr. Johnson sold opioids to E.V. (Crim. Doc. 97
at 15-16). E.V. had bought opioids before, but they “were typically in a brownish powder”
consistent with heroin. (Id. at 16). This time, the opioids were “white/brown,” an
appearance “consistent with . . . fentanyl.” (Id.) Soon after the sale, E.V. texted Mr.
Johnson, “I’m nervous to put it in my body. It doesn’t look right or taste right. Tastes like
baking soda. That could kill me if I inject it.” (Id.) Mr. Johnson replied, “No it’s legit.”
(Id.) E.V. overdosed on the opioids and had to be revived through the administration of
Narcan. (Id. at 15). She identified Mr. Johnson as the person who had sold her the drugs.
(Id.)

After E.V.’s overdose, law enforcement conducted three controlled purchases of
fentanyl from Mr. Johnson. (Id. at 16-17). On May 2, 2019, Mr. Johnson sold an
undercover detective .64 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl. (Id. at 17).
Four days later, he sold the detective .74 grams of a mixture of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl,
fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, and heroin. (Id.) Two days after that, Mr. Johnson agreed to meet
the detective at an Advanced Auto Parts for another sale. (Crim. Doc. 111 at 7). When the

detective arrived, Mr. Johnson “attempted to throw away the controlled substances”—
specifically, 1.6 grams of a mixture of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl,
and heroin. (Crim. Doc. 97 at 17). After his arrest, Mr. Johnson admitted to law
enforcement that he had sold opioids to the detective. (Id.) He said that he “us[ed] other
people to pick up the heroin on his behalf from his source of supply.” (Id.)

Mr. Johnson was charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to
distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846; distributing and
possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§
841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances,
in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). (Crim. Doc. 45). The E.V.-related

counts alleged that the use of controlled substances “resulted in . . . serious bodily injury.”
(Id. at 1-2). Because of his prior felony drug convictions, Mr. Johnson faced a mandatory
life sentence for the E.V.-related counts. (Crim. Doc. 80; Crim. Doc. 111 at 28; see also 21
U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C)).
Mr. Johnson ultimately pleaded guilty to all counts, with the removal of the
allegation that his conduct had resulted in serious bodily injury. (Crim. Doc. 97). As a

result, he was no longer subject to a mandatory life sentence. As part of the plea agreement,
however, Mr. Johnson consented to an upward sentencing departure under USSG § 5K2.2.
(Id. at 4). That provision allowed the Court to “increase the sentence above the authorized
guideline range” if “significant physical injury resulted.” USSG § 5K2.2 (2021). The
parties agreed that “an upward departure” was “warranted” because the “relevant conduct”
in this case “included the hospitalization of E.V. from the ingestion of controlled

substances.” (Crim. Doc. 97 at 4).
With a total offense level of 13 and a criminal history category of V, Mr. Johnson
faced a guidelines range of 30 to 37 months’ imprisonment.1 (Crim. Doc. 111 at 28). The
United States sought “a sentence of 262 months’ imprisonment”; Mr. Johnson asked for
111 months’ imprisonment. (Crim. Doc. 113 at 1; Crim. Doc. 114 at 15). The Court varied

upward and sentenced Mr. Johnson to 180 months’ imprisonment. (Crim. Doc. 127 at 35).
The upward variance was warranted to account for the “physical injury that was involved”
and the “significant amount of recidivism in [Mr. Johnson’s] history.” (Id. at 38). Mr.
Johnson appealed, and his counsel filed an Anders2 brief. (Crim. Docs. 121, 132). The
Eleventh Circuit affirmed, ruling that its “independent examination of the entire record

reveal[ed] no arguable issues of merit.” (Crim. Doc. 132). Mr. Johnson then unsuccessfully

1 Mr. Johnson’s base offense level was 16, and he received a three-point reduction for acceptance of
responsibility. (Crim. Doc. 111 at 8).

2 Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967).
sought certiorari review from the United States Supreme Court. (Crim. Doc. 135). This §
2255 motion followed. (Civ. Docs. 5, 6).

II. Legal Standards
Section 2255 allows a federal prisoner to “bring a collateral challenge by moving
the sentencing court to vacate, set aside, or correct the sentence.” Winthrop-Redin v. United
States, 767 F.3d 1210, 1215-16 (11th Cir. 2014). On collateral review, a petitioner “has the
burden of proof and persuasion on all the elements of his claim.” In re Moore, 830 F.3d
1268, 1272 (11th Cir. 2016). This is “a significantly higher hurdle than would exist on

direct appeal,” United States v. Frady, 456 U.S. 152, 164-66 (1982), because “[w]hen the
process of direct review . . . comes to an end, a presumption of finality and legality attaches
to the conviction and sentence.” In re Moore, 830 F.3d at 1272. “[I]f the Court cannot tell
one way or the other” whether the petitioner’s claim is valid, he has “failed to carry his
burden of showing all that is necessary to warrant § 2255 relief.” Id. at 1273.

Mr. Johnson alleges ineffective assistance of counsel. Ineffective-assistance-of-
counsel claims are analyzed under the test established in Strickland v. Washington, 466
U.S. 668 (1984). Strickland requires a showing of deficient performance by counsel and
resulting prejudice. Id. at 687. Deficient performance is established if, “in light of all the
circumstances, the identified acts or omissions [of counsel] were outside the wide range of

professionally competent assistance.” Id. at 690. However, “counsel is strongly presumed
to have rendered adequate assistance and made all significant decisions in the exercise of
reasonable professional judgment.” Id.
Mr. Johnson must show that counsel’s alleged error prejudiced the defense because
“[a]n error by counsel, even if professionally unreasonable, does not warrant setting aside

the judgment of a criminal proceeding if the error had no effect on the judgment.” Id. at
691. To demonstrate prejudice, Mr. Johnson must show “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.” Id. at 694.

III. Discussion3
A. Ground One—Failure to Challenge Knowledge of Fentanyl
Mr. Johnson faults trial counsel for failing to “challenge whether he knew the
substances he distributed contained fentanyl.” (Civ. Doc. 6 at 9). According to Mr.
Johnson, counsel “knew through attorney-client communications that [he] had no prior
knowledge of fentanyl in the substances.” (Id.) Mr. Johnson alleges that “evidence of lack

of knowledge could have led to acquittal on the fentanyl charges or a more favorable plea
agreement.” (Id. at 10).
Counsel was not “deficient for failing to raise [this] meritless claim.” Freeman v.
Atty. Gen., 536 F.3d 1225, 1233 (11th Cir. 2008). The statutes Mr. Johnson was charged
with violating—§§ 841(a)(1), 841(b), and 846—“do not require the government to prove

3 The United States argues that Mr. Johnson’s § 2255 motion is untimely. (Civ. Doc. 13 at 6-9). Because
the motion fails on the merits, the Court need not address timeliness. See Day v. McDonough, 547 U.S.
198, 205 (2006) (noting that AEDPA’s statute of limitations “is not jurisdictional”); Turner v. United States,
No. 22-12173, 2023 WL 5528719, at *2 (11th Cir. Aug. 28, 2023) (“Because we conclude that [the] [§]
2255 motion fails on the merits, we need not address the district court’s alternative ruling about
timeliness.”).
a defendant’s knowledge of a specific drug.” United States v. Gray, 94 F.4th 1267, 1270
(11th Cir. 2024). For the substantive drug-trafficking offenses, the defendant “must

knowingly possess, and intend to distribute, a controlled substance, but need not know
which substance it is.” United States v. Colston, 4 F.4th 1179, 1188 (11th Cir. 2021).
Likewise, to obtain a conspiracy conviction, the government need not “prove that the
defendant conspired to distribute a specific substance but is only required to prove that the
defendant conspired to distribute a generic controlled substance.” United States v. Achey,
943 F.3d 909, 914 (11th Cir. 2019). Mr. Johnson does not contend that he was unaware he

sold a controlled substance. Nor could he. As part of his guilty plea, Mr. Johnson stipulated
that he had sold “opioids” and used “other people to pick up . . . heroin on his behalf from
his source of supply.” (Crim. Doc. 97 at 17). Because Mr. Johnson “knew he possessed a
controlled substance,” his alleged lack of knowledge of fentanyl would have supplied no
defense to the charges. Gray, 94 F.4th at 1271; see also United States v. Swanson, No. 21-

10966, 2021 WL 5827760, at *1 (11th Cir. Dec. 8, 2021) (holding, in case involving §§
841 and 846, that “the government was not required to prove that [defendant] knew that
the controlled substance involved in his offense was fentanyl”).
B. Ground Two—Alleged Misrepresentation of Expert Testimony
Mr. Johnson alleges that counsel “fraudulently induce[d]” his guilty plea by

“materially misrepresenting purported expert testimony from Dr. Werner Spitz.” (Civ.
Doc. 6 at 11). It appears that Dr. Spitz was a potential defense expert on “causation and
toxicology.” (Id. at 12). Mr. Johnson offers no additional details about Dr. Spitz’s proposed
testimony. Instead, he simply asserts that “had [he] known Dr. Spitz would not provide the
promised exculpatory testimony, he would not have pleaded guilty.” (Id.)

This claim fails for two reasons. First, it is conclusory. Mr. Johnson does not
elaborate on counsel’s alleged “misrepresent[ations],” nor does he provide any details
about Dr. Spitz’s proposed testimony. (Id. at 11-12). Mr. Johnson cannot obtain relief based
on “conclusory allegations unsupported by specifics.” Caderno v. United States, 256 F.3d
1213, 1217 (11th Cir. 2001); see also Wilson v. United States, 962 F.2d 996, 998 (11th Cir.
1992) (“Conclusory allegations of ineffective assistance are insufficient.”); Rogers v.

United States, No. 1:16-cr-324-TWT-RGV, 2019 WL 9595352, at *4 (N.D. Ga. Jan. 14,
2019) (no deficient performance or prejudice where petitioner failed to “provide a
summary of [witnesses’] expected testimony”), adopted by 2020 WL 4464647 (N.D. Ga.
Aug. 4, 2020).
Second, Mr. Johnson cannot show prejudice. To establish prejudice in the context

of a guilty plea, a defendant must demonstrate “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). “Courts should not upset a plea solely
because of post hoc assertions from a defendant about how he would have pleaded but for
his attorney’s deficiencies.” Lee v. United States, 582 U.S. 357, 369 (2017). Instead, the

defendant must “convince the court that a decision to reject [a] plea [] would have been
rational under the circumstances.” Diveroli v. United States, 803 F.3d 1258, 1265 (11th
Cir. 2015).
Mr. Johnson fails to establish a “reasonable probability” that, had he known Dr.
Spitz would not provide exculpatory testimony, he “would have insisted on going to trial.”

Hill, 474 U.S. at 59. To the contrary, the absence of favorable testimony would have made
trial less attractive, not more. A defendant who learns that a purportedly helpful witness
will not support his defense is, if anything, more likely to accept a plea than to proceed to
trial. Regardless, as the factual summary above makes clear, the evidence against Mr.
Johnson was strong. By pleading guilty, he received a sentence of 180 months’
imprisonment rather than the mandatory life sentence he faced if he went to trial. In these

circumstances, no “rational person would have rejected [Mr. Johnson’s] plea bargain.”
United States v. Miranda-Alfaro, 462 F. App’x 935, 937 (11th Cir. 2012) (finding no
Strickland prejudice where “plea bargain lowered [defendant’s] sentence of imprisonment
by eight years”); see also Sierra v. Fla. Dep’t of Corr., 657 F. App’x 849, 852 (11th Cir.
2016) (holding that, because petitioner had “no valid defenses, it would not have been

rational . . . to have rejected the plea agreement and proceeded to trial”).
C. Ground Three—Failure to Challenge “Scientific Evidence”
Mr. Johnson contends that counsel was deficient for “failing to challenge critical
scientific evidence linking drug samples and establishing fentanyl content.” (Civ. Doc. 6
at 12). According to Mr. Johnson, “multiple drug samples were seized but no evidence

demonstrates proper chain of custody or scientific linkage between them.” (Id. at 13). In
addition, when E.V. was hospitalized, “blood was drawn but it was never tested.” (Id.) Mr.
Johnson alleges that had counsel “properly investigated and challenged the scientific
evidence through available procedural mechanisms, there is a reasonable probability that
[he] would have proceeded to trial or negotiated a more favorable plea agreement.” (Id.)

This claim fails because Mr. Johnson offers nothing to show that further
investigation would have uncovered helpful evidence. As explained above, Mr. Johnson
bears “the burden of proof and persuasion on all the elements of his claim.” In re Moore,
830 F.3d at 1272. Mr. Johnson claims that “proper challenges to the evidence could have
resulted in suppression or exclusion of critical proof,” but he offers no support for this
assertion. (Civ. Doc. 6 at 13). Instead, he merely speculates that additional investigation of

“critical forensic evidence” would have borne fruit. (Id. at 14). “Speculation is insufficient
to carry the burden of a . . . petitioner as to what evidence could have been revealed by
further investigation.” Aldrich v. Wainwright, 777 F.2d 630, 636 (11th Cir. 1985); see also
In re Moore, 830 F.3d at 1272 (“[A] movant has the burden of showing that he is entitled
to relief in a § 2255 motion.”).

D. Grounds Four and Seven—Failure to Challenge Guidelines
Calculations4

Mr. Johnson was sentenced in July 2022, and the 2021 Guidelines Manual was used
to calculate his offense level. (Crim. Doc. 111 at 7; Crim. Doc. 118). According to Mr.
Johnson, counsel should have urged the Court to use the 2018 Guidelines Manual instead,
allegedly because its provisions on “fentanyl analogues . . . would have resulted in a lower
guideline range.” (Civ. Doc. 6 at 15). Mr. Johnson appears to contend that the 2018

4 In the section of his memorandum on Ground Four, Mr. Johnson repeats his claim that counsel was
ineffective for “failing to challenge critical forensic evidence.” (Civ. Doc. 6 at 14-15). The Court fully
addresses that claim in its discussion of Ground Three.
Guidelines Manual applied to his case because the offense conduct took place in 2019. (Id.
at 15-17).

Counsel was not obligated to raise this meritless argument. See Freeman, 536 F.3d
at 1233 (“A lawyer cannot be deficient for failing to raise a meritless claim.”). “Though
courts typically apply the Guidelines in effect at the time of sentencing, the Ex Post Facto
Clause prohibits the use of Guidelines issued after the offense that create a higher
applicable sentencing range.” United States v. Maurya, 25 F.4th 829, 836 (11th Cir. 2022).
Under the 2021 Guidelines Manual—the one in effect at the time of sentencing—Mr.

Johnson was held accountable for 3.1 grams of fentanyl analogue, yielding a base offense
level of 16. (Crim. Doc. 111 at 8). If the Court had used the 2018 Guidelines Manual
instead, the result would have been the same—3.1 grams of fentanyl analogue yielding a
base offense level of 16. See USSG § 2D1.1(c)(12) (2018). Because the base offense level
was the same regardless of which Guidelines Manual applied, counsel had no basis to raise

an ex post facto challenge. See United States v. Bell, 112 F.4th 1318, 1343 (11th Cir. 2024)
(“The Ex Post Facto Clause bars a defendant from being sentenced under a version of the
guidelines that would provide a higher sentencing range than the version in place at the
time of his criminal conduct.”); Smith v. United States, No. 1:12-cv-1006-WKW, 2015 WL
438970, at *3 (M.D. Ala. Feb. 3, 2015) (no ex post facto violation where “the base offense

level for [defendant’s] crimes under the guidelines in effect at the time of his sentencing in
2009 was the same level [as it would have been] under the guidelines in effect when he
committed his crimes in 2005”).
Mr. Johnson separately faults counsel for failing to argue that “unknown fentanyl
analogues” should have been excluded from the calculation of his base offense level. (Civ.

Doc. 6 at 20-21). He contends that unspecified guidelines “amendments” required this
outcome. (Id. at 20). The Court has not located any such amendment.5 Regardless, Mr.
Johnson cannot show prejudice because even if the allegedly “unknown” fentanyl
analogues had been excluded, his base offense level would have remained the same.
According to Mr. Johnson, the “precise [fentanyl] analogues” that E.V. consumed
were never identified. (Id.) But Mr. Johnson was also charged for his three sales to the

undercover detective. And Mr. Johnson admitted that (1) the first sale involved .64 grams
of a mixture of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl (an analogue), (2) the second sale involved .74
grams of a mixture of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl (another
analogue), and heroin, and (3) the third sale involved 1.6 grams of a mixture of fentanyl,
acetyl fentanyl, fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, and heroin. (Crim. Doc. 97 at 17). Thus, even

without the “unknown” opioids sold to E.V., Mr. Johnson could have been held responsible
for 2.98 grams of fentanyl analogue based on his sales to the undercover detective. See
United States v. Rocher, 795 F. App’x 716, 718 (11th Cir. 2019) (“Under the Guidelines,
if a defendant sells a mixture of controlled substances, ‘the weight of the entire mixture or
substance is assigned to the controlled substance that results in the greater offense level’—

5 The sole authority Mr. Johnson cites for the existence of the alleged amendments is “United States v.
Morales, 981 F.3d 1288, 1294 (11th Cir. 2020).” (Civ. Doc. 6 at 20). No such case appears to exist. The
pin cite for “United States v. Morales” leads to Munoz v. Selig Enterprises., Inc., 981 F.3d 1265 (11th Cir.
2020), a case involving the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. In any
event, both the 2018 and 2021 Guidelines Manuals define “fentanyl analogue” as “any substance (including
any salt, isomer, or salt or isomer thereof), whether a controlled substance or not, that has a chemical
structure that is similar to fentanyl.” USSG § 2D1.1(c), Note (J).
in this case, fentanyl [analogue].” (citing USSG § 2D1.1(c), Note (A))). And under either
the 2018 or 2021 Guidelines Manual, 2.98 grams of fentanyl analogue yields a base offense

level of 16—the same level applied to Mr. Johnson at sentencing. Compare USSG §
2D1.1(c)(12) (2018), with USSG § 2D1.1(c)(12) (2021). Therefore, Mr. Johnson suffered
no prejudice from the failure to exclude the “unknown” fentanyl analogues from the
guidelines calculation.6 See Duran v. United States, 754 F. App’x 852, 857 (11th Cir. 2018)
(no Strickland prejudice from failure to raise objection because even if objection had been
made, defendant’s “[g]uideline range would have remained unchanged”).

E. Ground Five—Failure to Seek Competency Evaluation
Mr. Johnson contends that trial counsel was deficient for failing to “request a mental
competency evaluation[] despite evidence of diminished capacity.” (Civ. Doc. 6 at 17). At
sentencing, Mr. Johnson presented testimony from Desiree Meaton-Francisco, a mental
health counselor who performed a “psychosocial assessment” of Mr. Johnson. (Crim. Doc.

127 at 11-12). Ms. Meaton-Francisco stated that Mr. Johnson suffered from “[c]annabis
use disorder, severe; opioid use disorder, severe; stimulant use disorder pertaining to
cocaine, severe. And he met some of the criteria for PTSD but not full.” (Id. at 14). She
agreed that “the issues with Mr. Johnson’s life [were] less related to mental health problems

6 Mr. Johnson argues that counsel should have argued for “safety-valve consideration under 18 U.S.C. §
3553(f).” (Civ. Doc. 6 at 21). “The safety-valve provision . . . offers some defendants convicted of drug
offenses an escape from otherwise applicable mandatory minimums.” Pulsifer v. United States, 601 U.S.
124, 128 (2024). As a result of his guilty plea, Mr. Johnson was not subject to a mandatory minimum. See
21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C). Therefore, the safety-valve provision did not apply to him. Regardless, Mr.
Johnson would have been ineligible for safety-valve relief because he had more than four qualifying
criminal-history points and several prior three-point offenses. (Crim. Doc. 111 at 9-20; see also 18 U.S.C.
§ 3553(f)(1)).
separate from addiction and [were instead] squarely focused on drug addiction.” (Id. at 16).
According to Mr. Johnson, “[t]he record demonstrates substantial evidence warranting [a]

competency evaluation.” (Civ. Doc. 6 at 17).
This claim fails for lack of prejudice. To show prejudice, Mr. Johnson must establish
that “if his trial counsel had performed as he [suggests], there is a reasonable probability
that the trial judge would have determined that [he] was incompetent to stand trial.” Oats
v. Singletary, 141 F.3d 1018, 1025 (11th Cir. 1998). The test for determining competence
to stand trial is “whether a criminal defendant [1] has sufficient present ability to consult

with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding and [2] whether he has
a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him.” Drope v.
Missouri, 420 U.S. 162, 171 (1975).
Mr. Johnson fails to demonstrate a reasonable probability that he “would have been
found incompetent” had counsel requested a competency evaluation. Lawrence v. Sec’y,

Fla. Dep’t of Corr., 700 F.3d 464, 480 (11th Cir. 2012). He presents no evidence that such
an evaluation would have shown that he lacked either “sufficient present ability to consult
with his lawyer” or “a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against
him.” Drope, 420 U.S. at 171. Moreover, although he suffered from substance use disorder
and (potentially) PTSD, Mr. Johnson offers no evidence that his conditions “caused him to

be confused and to lack understanding of the proceedings under the legal standard of
competence.” Sheley v. Singletary, 955 F.2d 1434, 1438 (11th Cir. 1992); see also Battle
v. United States, 419 F.3d 1292, 1299 (11th Cir. 2005) (“[N]ot every manifestation of
mental illness demonstrates incompetence to stand trial; rather, the evidence must indicate
a present inability to assist counsel or understand the charges.”). To the contrary, Mr.
Johnson agreed during his plea colloquy that he was “clearheaded today and free from any

drugs or alcohol or emotional distress that would impair [his] thinking.” (Crim. Doc. 126
at 3).
On this record, Mr. Johnson fails to meet his burden of “affirmatively prov[ing]
prejudice” from counsel’s alleged mishandling of the competency issue.7 Strickland, 466
U.S. at 693; see also Cox v. Sec’y, DOC, No. 2:11-cv-439-JES-UAM, 2013 WL 4734065,
at *6 (M.D. Fla. Sept. 3, 2013) (no prejudice where petitioner “presented no evidence that”

he “would have been found incompetent to proceed” and “nothing in the record indicate[d]
that [he] was incompetent at the time of his trial”).
F. Ground Six—Failure to Challenge Sentence Enhancement
As noted above, the United States initially intended to seek a mandatory sentence
of life imprisonment under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(b)(1)(C) and 851. (Crim. Doc. 80). That

enhancement applies if a defendant with “a prior conviction for a felony drug offense”
distributes a controlled substance and “death or serious bodily injury results from the use
of such substance.” 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C). The United States filed a notice stating that
it would rely on several prior drug convictions for the enhancement, including a 2009
conviction for felony possession of cocaine, two 2015 convictions for felony possession of

7 It is unclear whether Mr. Johnson intends to assert a freestanding due process claim based on the Court’s
failure to sua sponte inquire into his competency. (Civ. Doc. 6 at 17-18). Any such claim fails because Mr.
Johnson has not met his “burden of proving that objective facts known to the trial court were sufficient to
raise a bona fide doubt as to [his] competency.” McNair v. Dugger, 866 F.2d 399, 401 (11th Cir. 1989).
cocaine, and two 2015 convictions for sale or delivery of cocaine.8 (Crim. Doc. 80 at 3).
As a result of Mr. Johnson’s guilty plea, the United States agreed to forgo the enhancement,

and Mr. Johnson received a sentence of 180 months’ imprisonment. (Crim. Doc. 127 at 6,
35).
Mr. Johnson nonetheless contends that counsel was ineffective for “failing to
investigate and challenge the . . . enhancement’s validity.” (Civ. Doc. 6 at 19). He does not
identify any basis to challenge the enhancement. (Id.). Instead, he simply asserts that
counsel should have “investigate[d] potential challenges” to its applicability here. (Id.)

Mr. Johnson fails to meet his “burden of proof and persuasion” on this claim. In re
Moore, 830 F.3d at 1272. As just noted, he offers no viable basis to challenge the
enhancement. Regardless, the enhancement was properly supported by Mr. Johnson’s prior
convictions for felony possession of cocaine and sale or delivery of cocaine. See, e.g.,
Leaks v. United States, No. 20-12538, 2024 WL 3650185, at *5 (11th Cir. Aug. 5, 2024)

(defendant’s “prior [Florida] cocaine convictions were ‘felony drug offense[s]’ and his
[sentence] was properly enhanced . . . under [§] 841(b)(1)(C)); Neloms v. United States,
No. 18-cr-80154, 2020 WL 5505434, at *6 (S.D. Fla. Aug. 25, 2020) (prior Florida
conviction for “sale of cocaine” “qualifies as a felony drug offense under § 841(b)(1)(C)”),
adopted by 2020 WL 5500781 (S.D. Fla. Sept. 11, 2020). Thus, Mr. Johnson fails to show

either deficient performance or prejudice from counsel’s failure to challenge the
enhancement.

8 Each conviction arose from the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Pinellas County. (Crim. Doc. 80 at 3).
IV. Conclusion
Accordingly, the Court ORDERS:
1. Mr. Johnson’s motion to vacate under § 2255 (Civ. Docs. 5, 6) is DENIED.
2. The CLERK is directed to enter judgment against Mr. Johnson, to CLOSE this
case, and to enter a copy of this order in the criminal case.
3. Because Mr. Johnson neither makes a substantial showing of the denial of a
constitutional right nor demonstrates that reasonable jurists would find debatable
both the merits of the underlying claims and the procedural issues that he seeks to
raise, a certificate of appealability and leave to appeal in forma pauperis are
DENIED. 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2); Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 478 (2000).
DONE and ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, on March 23, 2026.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/11362773. Public record. Not legal advice.