US v. James Jones

Filing 920090220

Opinion

UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT

No. 08-4387

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. JAMES ERIC JONES, Defendant - Appellant.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, at Florence. Terry L. Wooten, District Judge. (4:06-cr-01238-TLW-1)

Submitted:

January 29, 2009

Decided:

February 20, 2009

Before NIEMEYER, MICHAEL, and AGEE, Circuit Judges.

Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion.

Steven M. Hisker, HISKER LAW FIRM, PC, Duncan, South Carolina, for Appellant. Alfred William Walker Bethea, Jr., Assistant United States Attorney, Florence, South Carolina, for Appellee.

Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

PER CURIAM: James Eric Jones was convicted by a jury of possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2), (e) (2006). Finding that Jones was an armed career

criminal under 18 U.S.C. § 924(e) (2006), the district court sentenced him to 520 to months' 456 months' imprisonment, imprisonment which pursuant was to

subsequently

amended

Fed. R. Crim. P. 35(a). Jones's attorney has filed a brief in accordance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), challenging Jones's designation as an armed career criminal. Counsel states,

however, that he has found no meritorious grounds for appeal. Jones has filed a pro se supplemental brief raising several

issues.

We affirm. Jones's prior convictions include South Carolina

convictions for second degree burglary, attempted burglary, two convictions for strong arm robbery, and two convictions for

assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature incident to the respective robberies. A defendant is an armed career

criminal when he violates 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and has three prior convictions for violent felonies or serious drug offenses. 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(1). A violent felony is one that "has as an

element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another" 2 or "otherwise involves

conduct

that

presents

a

serious

potential

risk

of

physical

injury to another." Guidelines Manual

18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(B); U.S. Sentencing § 4B1.2(a)(1) (2007). This definition

specifically includes burglary.

18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(B)(ii).

To determine whether a state offense falls within the definition of a violent felony, we use a categorical approach, which "takes into account only the definition of the offense and the fact of conviction." 286 (4th Cir. 2002). under state law is United States v. Pierce, 278 F.3d 282, The particular label or categorization not controlling. See Taylor v. United

States, 495 U.S. 575, 590-91 (1990). strong arm robbery as "the felonious

South Carolina defines or unlawful taking of

money, goods, or other personal property of any value from the person of another or in his presence by violence or by putting such person in fear." (S.C. 1996) (internal State v. Gourdine, 472 S.E.2d 241, 241 quotation marks and citation omitted).

Assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature is defined as "the unlawful act of violent injury to another accompanied by circumstances of aggravation." 512, 516 (S.C. 2000). State v. Fennell, 531 S.E.2d

"A person is guilty of burglary in the

second degree if the person enters a dwelling without consent and with intent to commit a crime therein." § 16-11-312 (2005). S.C. Code Ann.

As these prior convictions are all violent

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crimes under 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(1), we find that the district court did not err in designating Jones an armed career criminal. We have also reviewed the arguments raised in Jones's pro se supplemental brief and find them to be without merit. Although Jones alleges that his trial counsel was ineffective, claims of ineffective counsel generally are not cognizable on appeal. 1997). § United States v. King, 119 F.3d 290, 295 (4th Cir. Jones can pursue this claim in a motion under 28 U.S.C.

2255 (West Supp. 2008). In accordance with Anders, we have reviewed the record

in this case and have found no meritorious issues for appeal. Accordingly, we affirm Jones's conviction and sentence. This

court requires that counsel inform Jones, in writing, of the right to petition the Supreme Court of the United States for further review. If Jones requests that a petition be filed, but

counsel believes that such a petition would be frivolous, then counsel may move in this court for leave to withdraw from

representation.

Counsel's motion must state that a copy thereof We dispense with oral argument because the are and adequately argument presented not in aid the the

was served on Jones. facts and legal before

contentions the court

materials

would

decisional process. AFFIRMED

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