Robinson v. USA

Filing 6

ORDER ADOPTING AMENEDED REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS in 98-10005 see document 145 for 1 Motion to Vacate/Set Aside/Correct Sentence (2255) filed by Robert Robinson; clerk is directed not to accept any future pleadings with regard to conviction and sentence unless permission granted from USCA 8th Circuit. Signed by Honorable Harry F. Barnes on October 7, 2016. (cnn)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
EL DORADO DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.

RESPONDENT
Case No. 1:98-cr-10005
Case No. 1:16-cv-1034

ROBERT ROBINSON

MOVANT
ORDER

Before the Court is the Amended Report and Recommendation 1 filed July 1, 2016 by the
Honorable Barry A. Bryant, United States Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Arkansas.
(ECF No. 145). Judge Bryant recommends that the Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct
Sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2255 (ECF No. 138) filed by Robert Robinson (hereinafter
referred to as “Robinson”) be denied. Petitioner has filed timely objections to the Amended
Report and Recommendation. (ECF No. 147). The Court finds the matter ripe for consideration.
I. BACKGROUND
Robinson was convicted on two counts of distribution of cocaine base in violation of 21
U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and subsequently sentenced to 360 months imprisonment, eight years of
supervised release, and a $2,000.00 fine. Although Robinson did not pursue any direct appeals of
his conviction, he has filed numerous motions attacking his conviction and sentence. These prior
filings include approximately seven motions for relief pursuant to § 2255. The first § 2255
motion was dismissed as time barred, and the others were dismissed because Robinson failed to
1

Judge Bryant previously entered a Report and Recommendation recommending that the instant motion be denied
as a successive §2255 motion. (ECF No. 140). The Court subsequently appointed the Federal Defender to represent
Robinson and review his motion to determine if he was entitled to relief pursuant to Johnson v. United States, 135
S.Ct. 2551 (2015). Judge Bryant entered the Amended Report and Recommendation to take that issue into account.
The Court finds that the original Report and Recommendation (ECF No. 140) is moot.

obtain authorization to file successive §2255 motions from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Court later found that Robinson’s frequent filing of unauthorized §2255 motions was
frivolous and an abuse of the judicial system. As a result, the Court ordered the Clerk of Court to
refuse future filings from Robinson that related to his underlying criminal conviction and
sentence unless he was granted express permission from the Court of Appeals. (ECF No. 104, p.
3).
In addition to the numerous § 2255 motions, Robinson has filed a Motion for Retroactive
Application of Guidelines (ECF No. 109), a Motion to Withdraw Guilty Plea (ECF No. 126), and
a Motion for Reduction of Sentence Pursuant to § 3582(c)(2). (ECF No. 129). All of the
aforementioned motions were denied by this Court, as well.
On May 2, 2015, Robinson filed the instant Motion to Vacate, Set Aside or Correct
Sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2255. 2 The Court does not reach the merits of Robinson’s
motion and agrees with Judge Bryant’s conclusion that the motion constitutes a second or
successive § 2255 motion. A district court is prohibited from considering a second or successive
§ 2255 motion unless a prisoner first obtains certification from the appropriate court of appeals.
See 28 U.S.C. § 2255(h). As Judge Bryant notes, Robinson has failed to obtain the required
certification from the Eighth Circuit. Because Robinson failed to obtain this authorization, the
Court must dismiss the motion for lack of jurisdiction.
The Court also finds that Robinson has failed to offer any meaningful objections to the
Amended Report and Recommendation. Instead, Robinson appears to make a request for a
hearing regarding his claim for Social Security benefits. Such claims are not cognizable under §
2255. See 28 U.S.C. § 2255(a).
2

Robinson filed the instant motion in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. The
motion was subsequently transferred to this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255(a).
2

For the reasons stated above, based on its own de novo review, the Court adopts Judge
Bryant’s Amended Report and Recommendations in toto. Accordingly, the Motion to Vacate
pursuant to § 2255 (ECF No. 138) is DISMISSED. Consistent with the Court’s prior order (ECF
No. 104), the Clerk of Court is hereby directed not to accept any future pleadings from Robinson
that relate to his underlying criminal conviction and sentence unless he is granted express
authority to file a second or successive motion in this matter from the United States Court of
Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 7th day of October, 2016.
/s/ Harry F. Barnes
Harry F. Barnes
United States District Judge

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