Johnson v. United States of America

Filing 9

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge R David Proctor on 12/12/13. (ASL)

FILED
2013 Dec-13 AM 09:33
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
EASTERN DIVISION
THERON SAMUEL JOHNSON,
Petitioner,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Respondent.

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Case No.:

1:12-cv-8058-RDP
1:10-cr-0385-RDP-JEO

MEMORANDUM OF OPINION
This matter is before the court on a Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 filed by Petitioner Theron Samuel Johnson, a federal prisoner.
Johnson’s Motion requests a correction at his sentence in accordance with the Fair Sentencing Act
of 2010, Pub. L. 111-220 (“FSA”). (Civ. Doc. # 1).1 The matter has been fully briefed and, upon
Johnson’s request, the court has expanded the record in this case. (Civ. Docs. # 1, 3, 5, 6, and 8).
I.

Background
On October 27, 2010, a federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment against Theron

Samuel Johnson and three others. The indictment charged Johnson with conspiracy to possess with
the intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing
“crack” cocaine, 5 kilograms of more of cocaine hydrochloride (“powder” cocaine), and an amount
of marijuana, all in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(C). (Cr. Doc. #

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There are two dockets referenced in this order: (1) the underlying criminal case in which Petitioner was
convicted (United States v. Johnson, Case No. 1:10-cr-00385-RDP-JEO-1); and (2) the instant civil action brought under
28 U.S.C. § 2255 (Johnson v, United States, Case No. 1:12-cv-08058-RDP). To avoid confusion, documents from the
former criminal docket are designated “Cr. Doc.” and documents from the § 2255 civil docket are designated “Civ. Doc.”

1). Johnson was also charged with two separate substantive drug offenses and with carrying a pistol
during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. (Cr. Doc. # 1).
On December 20, 2010, Johnson pled guilty to Counts One, Three, Four, and Seven. Based
on Johnson’s offense level and criminal history, and considering a reduction for acceptance of
responsibility, a Guidelines sentencing range of 188-235 months, plus a 60-month consecutive
sentence for Count Four was recommended by the United States. In calculating Johnson’s guideline
range, the 28:1 “crack” to “powder” ratio set forth in Amendment 706 to the United States
Sentencing Guidelines was used.
Prior to sentencing, the United States moved the court, pursuant to United States Sentencing
Guideline 5K1.1 and 18 U.S.C. § 3553(e), to reduce Johnson’s total sentence from 188 months plus
60 months (248 months total) to 144 months plus 60 months (204 months total).
The court sentenced Johnson to a concurrent term of custody of 80 months as to Counts One,
Three and Seven, and a 60 month consecutive sentence as to Count Four, for a total of 140 months.
Johnson did not appeal his conviction or sentence.
On November 14, 2011, Johnson filed a motion for a reduction of his term of imprisonment
under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) and Amendment 706 to the United States Sentencing Guidelines. (Cr.
Doc. # 107). This court denied that Motion because Johnson’s original sentence already reflected
the application of Amendment 706. (Cr. Doc. # 121 at 3-4 and 123).
II.

Analysis
In his § 2255 motion, Johnson seeks re-sentencing. In support of his motion, he notes that

at the time of his sentencing hearing Eleventh Circuit case law provided that he was not subject to

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the FSA, but that subsequent case law provides that his sentence should be consistent with the FSA.
(Civ. Doc. # 1). However, for the reasons explained below, Johnson is not entitled to relief.2
First, the stipulated drug quantity which applied to Count One of the indictment (to which
Johnson pleaded guilty) was 1.5 kilograms of “crack” cocaine. The statutory minimum and
maximum applicable to such a quantity is unaffected by passage and/or application of the FSA.
Pursuant to his plea, Johnson’s conduct in Count One of the indictment involved 1,500 grams of
“crack” cocaine, significantly more than the smaller amounts that trigger the FSA’s provisions.
Second, Johnson’s guidelines were originally calculated to reflect the 28:1 “crack” to
“powder” ratio enacted in Amendment 750 to the United States Sentencing Guidelines. Thus, even
though the law at the time Johnson was sentenced did not require it, Johnson has already received
the benefit of the FSA.
III.

Conclusion
For these reasons, Johnson’s Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence pursuant to

28 U.S.C. § 2255 is due to be denied. A separate order will be entered.
DONE and ORDERED this

12th

day of December, 2013.

___________________________________
R. DAVID PROCTOR
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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The court need not decide whether Johnson’s Section 2255 motion is untimely under Section 2255(f)(1). That
subsection provides that a Section 2255 motion may be filed within one year from “the date on which the judgment of
conviction becomes final.” As a general rule, a judgment of conviction becomes final when the opportunity for direct
appeal has been exhausted. See Atkins v. United States, 204 F.3d 1086, 1089 n.1 (11th Cir. 2000). As Johnson did not
appeal his conviction, his conviction became final 14 days after the entry of the amended judgment in his case.
Fed.R.App.Pro. 4(b)(1)(A). That means that since the amended judgment and commitment in Johnson’s case was entered
on October 25, 2011, Johnson had until November 9, 2012 to file his 2255 motion. The instant motion was filed nearly
two months later, on December 28, 2012.

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