Robinson v. USA - 2255

Filing 2

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Chief Judge Catherine C. Blake on 10/13/2016. (kw2s, Deputy Clerk)(c/m 10/14/16)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
DONTE WALTER ROBINSON
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

:
: Civil No. CCB-15-3646
: Criminal No. CCB-14-0568
:
:
...o0o...

MEMORANDUM

Federal prison inmate Dante Robinson was sentenced on May 11, 2015, by now retired
Judge William D. Quarles to a term of 168 months incarceration following his guilty pleas to
Hobbs Act robbery and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. In the plea agreement, the
government and the defendant agreed to a sentence between 120 and 180 months. Judge
Quarles, who was not bound by the agreement, nevertheless imposed a sentence of 168 months.
Robinson timely filed a motion to vacate under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 alleging that his counsel
was ineffective for failing to argue that he was not a career offender. This argument fails for two
reasons. First, Robinson has two prior qualifying drug offenses, including the distribution of
heroin. That conviction qualifies under the Guidelines even though the sentence imposed was
probation before judgment under Maryland law. See U.S. v. Bagheri, 999 F.2d 80, 83 (4th Cir.
1993). Second, the sentence imposed by Judge Quarles was well below the career offender
range of 262-327 months, for reasons Judge Quarles explained at sentencing. Accordingly,
Robinson has shown neither a lack of competent performance by counsel nor any prejudice. See
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984).

1

No certificate of appealability will enter, and his motion will be denied by separate Order
which follows.

October 13, 2016
Date

/S/
Catherine C. Blake
United States District Judge

2