US v. Vincent Sinclair
Filing
920090430
UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
No. 08-4231
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. VINCENT SINCLAIR, Defendant - Appellant.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, at Wilmington. Terrence W. Boyle, District Judge. (7:07-cr-00015-BO-1)
Submitted:
March 25, 2009
Decided:
April 30, 2009
Before NIEMEYER and MOTZ, Circuit Judges, and HAMILTON, Senior Circuit Judge.
Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion.
Robert J. McAfee, MCAFEE LAW, P.A., New Bern, North Carolina, for Appellant. Anne Margaret Hayes, Assistant United States Attorney, Raleigh, North Carolina, for Appellee.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
PER CURIAM: Vincent plea agreement Sinclair to pled guilty to pursuant to a written to
conspiracy
possess
with
intent
distribute cocaine, conspiracy to kidnap, and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A), 1201(a)(1); 21 U.S.C. § 846 (2006). Sinclair was sentenced to a total of 413 months' imprisonment. Finding no error, we affirm. Counsel filed a brief pursuant to Anders v.
California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), in which he asserts there are no meritorious court issues erred for in appeal but the questions motion to whether withdraw the the
district guilty
denying trial
plea
and
whether
counsel
provided
ineffective
assistance.
Sinclair filed a pro se supplemental brief, and we
grant his motion to amend the pro se brief, joining in counsel's assertions and additionally contending that: (1) his waiver of indictment failed to comply with Fed. R. Crim. P. 7; (2) the Fed. R. Crim. P. 11 hearing was inadequate; (3) his residence was searched in violation erred in of the Fourth to Amendment; into (4) the
district
court
failing
inquire
counsel's
conflict of interest; (5) his sentence is unreasonable because it is disparate and to (6) sentences the received by other was involved improperly
defendants;
§ 924(c)
offense
predicated on the conspiracy to kidnap count. 2
Sinclair whether the
and
appellate court erred
counsel in
initially the
question motion to
district
denying
withdraw the guilty plea.
A defendant may withdraw a guilty
plea prior to sentencing if he "can show a fair and just reason for requesting the withdrawal." Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(d)(2)(B).
In determining whether a defendant will be permitted to withdraw his guilty plea, a district court should consider: (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 district court's denial of a motion to withdraw the guilty plea is reviewed for abuse of discretion. United We
States v. Ubakanma, 215 F.3d 421, 424 (4th Cir. 2000). closely scrutinize the Rule 11 colloquy and attach a
strong
presumption that the plea is final and binding if the Rule 11 hearing is adequate. United States v. Lambey, 974 F.2d 1389, We have reviewed the Rule 11 Moreover, because
1394 (4th Cir. 1992) (en banc).
hearing and conclude that it was adequate.
Sinclair has failed to overcome the presumption that his plea is
3
final and binding, we conclude the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion to withdraw. Sinclair and appellate counsel also contend that trial counsel provided of ineffective claim assistance. generally instead be is not An ineffective on
assistance direct
counsel but
cognizable in a
appeal,
should
asserted
post-
conviction motion under 28 U.S.C.A. § 2255 (West Supp. 2008). See United States v. Richardson, 195 F.3d 192, 198 (4th Cir. 1999). rule However, we have recognized an exception to the general when "it `conclusively appears' from the record that Id.
defense counsel did not provide effective representation."
(quoting United States v. Gastiaburo, 16 F.3d 582, 590 (4th Cir. 1994)). Because the record does not conclusively establish that
counsel was ineffective, the claim is not cognizable on appeal. We have carefully considered the additional claims
raised in the pro se supplemental brief, as amended, in light of the applicable merit. the legal standards, in and find the claims to we be
without reviewed
Further,
accordance in this
with and
Anders, have we
have no the
entire issues
record for
case
found
meritorious
appeal.
Accordingly,
affirm
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. 4
If the client requests that a
petition be filed, but counsel believes that such a petition would be frivolous, then counsel may move this court for leave to withdraw from representation. Counsel's motion must state We dispense with contentions the court are and
that a copy thereof was served on the client. oral argument because in the the facts and legal before
adequately
presented
materials
argument would not aid the decisional process. AFFIRMED
5
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