Marin-Echeverri v. USA

Filing 19

OPINION AND ORDER re 3 MOTION to Vacate, Set Aside or Correct Sentence (2255) (Criminal Number 13-597) filed by Hernando Marin-Echeverri. Petitioner's motion at ECF No. 3 is DENIED, and the case is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. Certificate of appealability is hereby GRANTED. The Clerk of the Court shall enter judgment accordingly. Signed by Judge Aida M. Delgado-Colon on 11/30/2020.(wm)

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THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO

HERNANDO MARIN-ECHEVARRI,
Petitioner,
Civil No. 17-1550 (ADC)
Related: 13-CR-597[1]

v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Respondent.

OPINION AND ORDER
Hernando Marín-Echevarri (“petitioner”) filed a pro se petition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §
2255 (“petition”). ECF No. 3. For the reasons that follow, the petition is DENIED.
I.

Background
Between 2012 and 2013, petitioner conspired with others to import between ten (10) and

thirty (30) kilograms of heroin into Puerto Rico from outside the United States (Colombia and
Venezuela). Petitioner would communicate from Colombia with other members of the
conspiracy in Puerto Rico and Venezuela to coordinate the smuggling, importation,
transportation, and distribution of heroin in Puerto Rico. Members of the conspiracy packaged
suitcases with the kilos of heroin in Colombia and used couriers to transport the suitcases to
Venezuela and later into the United States. United States v. Hernando Marín-Echevarri, 846 F.3d
473, 475 (1st Cir. 2017). Members of the conspiracy also sent heroin to Puerto Rico via the United
States Postal Service. Id. Proceeds were physically transported from Puerto Rico back to
Venezuela and Colombia or via wire transfers, as per defendant’s instructions. Id. The transfers
were cloaked by using the names of individuals who were not part of the conspiracy. Id.

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On August 23, 2013, a grand jury returned a three-count indictment against petitioner
and 18 other individuals charging a conspiracy to possess one kilogram or more of heroin with
intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A)(i), and 846 (Count One),
conspiracy to import one kilogram or more of heroin into the United States, in violation of 21
U.S.C. §§ 952(a) and 963 (Count Two), and conspiracy to launder the proceeds of these controlled
substance offenses, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(B)(i) and 1956(h) (Count Three). 13-CR597 (ADC), ECF No. 3.
On May 13, 2015, petitioner pled guilty to Counts Two and Three of the indictment
pursuant to a plea agreement (“plea agreement”). Id, ECF No. 230. Specifically, petitioner agreed
to plead guilty to Counts Two and Three and the government agreed to dismiss Count One. Of
particular relevance is that the government and defense counsel submitted, as part of the plea
agreement, a preliminary calculation of the sentencing guidelines. Specifically, Section 7 of the
attachment to the plea agreement, under the caption “Sentencing Guidelines Calculations,”
provided that “the United States and the defendant submit the following advisory Sentencing
Guidelines calculations as to Counts Two and Three of the Indictment.” Id at 5. The plea
agreement made reference to “U.S. Sentencing Commission Worksheets A, B and D
“[(“worksheets”)] attached to the Plea Agreement. The sentencing guideline calculations
contained therein, assumed a criminal history category (CHC) of I but, there was no stipulation
as to the defendant’s criminal history category. Id. Within the worksheets, petitioner’s base
offense as to Count Two, was determined at a level of thirty-four (34), provided for a three-point
enhancement in view of defendant’s managerial role, resulting in an adjusted base offense level

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of 37. . The parties proceed then, to make a guideline calculation as to Count Three, which the
parties determined, called for a base offense level of 22. Taking into account the highest offense
level and deducting three points, provided defendant’s timely acceptance of responsibility, the
adjusted offense level was 34, which along with a CHC I; called for an imprisonment range of
151 to 188 months of imprisonment. Id, ECF No. 230 at 5.
During the change of plea hearing, as indicated by the Appeals Court:
both the Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) and the magistrate judge mentioned the
guidelines calculation in the worksheets. After submitting the worksheets to the
court and explaining how they reached a total offense level of thirty-four, the
AUSA confirmed that ‘[t]he recommendation in this case... would be that the
defendant will serve a term of imprisonment at the lower end of the applicable
guideline range determined by the Court, depending on the defendant's criminal
history category.’ The magistrate judge later made sure [petitioner] understood
that ‘[i]n determining your sentence, the presiding judge will consider but may
not follow the guidelines calculations, those calculations contained in your
agreement in those worksheets.... [T]hese guidelines are of an advisory nature ...
and the presiding judge may follow or may not follow them....’
Marín-Echeverri, 846 F.3d at 476.
The United States Probation Office filed a presentence report (“PSR”). Petitioner, through
counsel, filed timely objections to the PSR arguing that it incorrectly calculated the applicable
sentencing range and it assigned the wrong role-in-the-offense level ( a four level adjustment for
a leadership role, rather than three points for a managerial role stipulated by defendant). 13-CR597 (ADC), ECF No. 386, 388. The Court ordered certain changes to the PSR based on the parties’
concerns. Id at 415. An amended PSR was filed on September 3, 2015.
The amended PSR provided for grouping of both offenses, since the money laundering
count was treated as a specific offense characteristic of Count two. It reflected an adjusted offense

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level of (40) for by applying U.S.S.G. § 2S1.1(a)(1). That is, a base offense level of thirty-four (34)
enhanced by four (4) levels for defendant having played a leadership role in the offense, U.S.S.G.
§ 3B1.1(a), and increasing two (2) levels because the money laundering conviction was under 18
U.S.C. § 1956, per § 2S1.1(b)(2)(B).
Evidently, the parties’ computation within the worksheets attached to the plea agreement
and the PSR included different calculations. On one hand, the parties’ calculated the adjusted
offense level for the conspiracy to import count at a base offense level of thirty-four (34) and
included a three-level upward adjustment for defendant’s managerial role in the offense
under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(b). The adjusted offense level was considered to be (37). It also considered
an adjusted offense level of twenty-two (22) for the money laundering count pursuant to U.S.S.G.
§ 2S1.1(a)(2). On the other hand, the PSR marked the adjusted offense level for money laundering
to be forty (40) by applying U.S.S.G. § 2S1.1(a)(1). 1
During sentencing, the defense challenged the PSR calculation by stressing that the PSR’s
deviation derived from the misapplication of the offense grouping guidelines, a two-level
enhancement (under specific offense characteristics), and the role-in-the-offense adjustments.
However, “[d]efense counsel did not challenge the probation officer’s or the court’s
determination that [petitioner] was in criminal history category III.” Marín-Echeverri, 846 F.3d at
477.

While the parties allude to the fact that they had done “grouping” of offenses, they actually calculated “units” as
per offense of convictions. It was the probation officer the one actually doing a guideline analysis providing for
grouping of offenses. 13-CR-597, ECF No. 584 at 10-11.

1

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After listening to the parties’ arguments, the Court determined that the correct guideline
calculation as to the base offense level, was the one made by the probation officer, and that the
evidence on record established defendant’s leadership role. 2 Accordingly, the Court sentenced
petitioner to an imprisonment term of 262 months of imprisonment under Count Two, which
was the lower end of the applicable guidelines range, as determined by the Court, concurrently
with 120 months of imprisonment under Count Three, to be followed by a five (5) year term of
supervised release. 13-CR-597 (ADC), ECF No. 429. 3
Petitioner filed a notice of appeal. 13-CR-597 (ADC), ECF No. 435. Petitioner argued that
the government violated the terms of the plea agreement and that he received constitutionally
ineffective assistance of counsel during plea negotiations and sentencing. On January 25, 2017,
the Court of Appeals determined there was no breach of plea agreement and affirmed the
sentence. The Appeals Court dismissed the ineffective assistance of counsel claim without
prejudice, noting that “as a general rule, this court does not review ineffective assistance of
counsel claims on direct appeal”. Considering that the ineffective assistance of counsel claim
was dismissed without prejudice, the claim does not preclude a collateral proceeding, such as
the instant petition. Marín-Echeverri, 846 F.3d at 475.
On April 27, 2017, petitioner filed the instant petition arguing that: (i) the government
breached the plea agreement, (ii) counsel was ineffective, given his failure to properly analyze

During sentencing, the Court inquired from defense counsel whether she agreed with a base offense level of 34 for
Count Two. Counsel agreed. The Court also inquired as to the applicability of a two-point enhancement provided
the specific offense characteristics, to which it was also agree. The only dispute remains as to whether three (3)
rather than (4) point were to be allocated in light of defendant’s role. 13-CR-597, ECF No. 584 at 12-13.
3 Based on an adjusted offense level of 37 and a CHC III, the guideline range was from 262-327 months of
imprisonment
2

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or calculate the sentencing guidelines (iii) the sentencing Court failed to consider petitioner for
a minor role reduction, (iv) petitioner is entitled to double the time credited, for time served
under custody while awaiting extradition in Colombia. See ECF No. 3-1 at 9-21, 21-25, 25-26, 2627, respectively. The government filed a response at ECF No. 16.
II.

Legal Standard
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255, “[a] prisoner in custody under sentence of a court established

by [an] Act of Congress . . . may move the court which imposed the sentence to vacate, set aside
or correct the sentence.” 28 U.S.C. § 2255(a). “[T]he statute provides for post-conviction relief in
four instances, namely, if the petitioner’s sentence (1) was imposed in violation of the
Constitution, or (2) was imposed by a court that lacked jurisdiction, or (3) exceeded the statutory
maximum, or (4) was otherwise subject to collateral attack.” David v. United States, 134 F.3d 470,
474 (1st Cir. 1998) (citing Hill v. United States, 368 U.S. 424, 426-27 (1962)).
Claims that do not allege constitutional or jurisdictional errors are properly brought
under § 2255 only if the claimed error is a “fundamental defect which fundamentally results in
a complete miscarriage of justice” or “an omission inconsistent with the rudimentary demands
of fair procedure.” Id.
To succeed on a claim that counsel was constitutionally ineffective, “[p]etitioner must first
show that his counsel’s ‘performance was deficient,’ and he must then show that ‘the deficient
performance prejudiced the defense.’” Williams v. United States, 858 F.3d 708, 715 (1st Cir. 2017)
(quoting Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984)). “The first requirement necessitates a
demonstration that counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not functioning as the

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‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment.” Id. (citation and internal
quotation marks omitted). Nonetheless, courts “indulge a strong presumption that counsel’s
conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance.” Id. (citations and
internal quotation marks omitted). This standard is “highly deferential” and courts “indulge a
strong presumption that . . . under the circumstances, the challenged action ‘might be considered
sound trial strategy.’” Walker v. Medeiros, 911 F.3d 629, 633 (1st Cir. 2018) (citing Strickland, 466
U.S. at 689).
The second prong requires that defendant “show that the deficient performance
prejudiced the defense, which requires proof that there is a reasonable probability that, but for
counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Jaynes
v. Mitchell, 824 F.3d 187, 196 (1st Cir. 2016). Failure to prove either prong of an ineffective
assistance claim is fatal to the claim. United States v. Caparotta, 676 F.3d 213, 219–20 (1st Cir. 2012).
The petitioner bears a heavy burden of proof in this regard. See Argencourt v. United States, 78
F.3d 14, 16 (1st Cir. 1996).
However, the court need not address both requirements if the evidence as to either is
lacking. “If it is easier to dispose of an ineffectiveness claim on the ground of lack of sufficient
prejudice, which we expect will often be so, that course should be followed.” Strickland, 466 U.S.
at 697.
III.

Discussion
A. Ineffective assistance of counsel

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Sixth Amendment right to counsel extends to the plea-bargaining stage. Montejo v. Louisiana,
556 U.S. 778, 786 (2009). “With regard to plea agreements, counsel has a critical obligation ... to
advise the client of the advantages and disadvantages of a plea agreement.” Parsley v. United
States, 604 F.3d 667, 671 (1st Cir. 2010).
In the context of a guilty plea, a successful ineffective assistance of counsel
claim requires a defendant to show that (1) counsel's representation fell
below an objective standard of reasonableness, Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52,
57 (1985) (quoting Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687-88 (1984));
and (2) there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's errors, [the
defendant] would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on
going to trial, id. at 59.
U.S. v. Rivera-Cruz, 878 F.3d 404, 410 (1st Cir. 2017) (internal quotations marks omitted).
(i)

The Court of Appeals

The Court of Appeals for the First Circuit denied, without prejudice, petitioner’s
ineffective assistance argument “to its reassertion, if the defendant so chooses, in a collateral
proceeding.” U.S. v. Marín-Echeverri, 846 F.3d at 480. However, the Court of Appeals noted “[w]e
do think that the form of plea agreement used in this case created a nontrivial risk that the
defendant would misread it unless well counseled.” Id. The Court of Appeals added that while
a lawyerly reading of the agreement reveals that all it really says is that the
government will recommend the low end of the range as determined by the
court, whatever that may be, a lay person could easily look at this plea
agreement and assume that it says something more. After all, why bother
with the worksheets otherwise—especially since they grossly
underestimated the range, provided no examples of the higher ranges
possible, and might have been read as implying that criminal history was
the only variable? With such an agreement, the government may well risk
its ability to sustain the voluntariness of the plea should the evidence
support a claim that defense counsel did not explain the bait-and-switch
potential. Id.

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The Court of Appeals hinted that the “record does not rule out the possibility that defense
counsel noticed the potential problem in the calculation of the total offense level… and chose
not to bring it to the government’s attention in the hope that it would go unnoticed, to the benefit
of her client.” Id.
In spite of the concerns highlighted by the Appeals Court, the record in full, dispels any
such doubts. The record supports inferences that the parties’ negotiation process was one carried
out in good faith, took significant time, including a postponement of sentence to further
negotiations. Both, counsel for the government and the defense agreed upon the calculations,
and went at length to do the worksheets and to have them attached to the plea agreement. In
essence, it appears that the parties, while intending to group offenses, did an independent
guideline analysis per offense and proceeded to assign “units.” A discrepancy in guidelines
interpretation and computation does not amount to an automatic neglect, more so, when the
defendant is alerted to the fact that the guidelines are advisory in nature, and that such
guidelines remain subject to review by the probation officer and the Court’s final determination.
In the case at bar, the base offense level was correctly determined at 34. The discrepancy was
based on the parties’ failure to consider a specific offense characteristic (the conviction under
sec. 1956) and the extra point the Court added by considering defendants role as one of
“leadership,” rather than “managerial.” Consistent with the parties’ agreement, defense counsel
at sentencing, objected to a different guideline computation and advocated for what had been
agreed by the parties. 15-CR-597, ECF No. 584 at 3-12. Despite of what petitioner may now argue
at hindsight, during sentencing, the entire guideline discussion was held in his presence, and

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when questioned as to the correctness of the pre-sentence report, he reiterated, in multiple
occasions, to be in agreement, and not to have any objections to its contents , of which he was
well aware, except as to the information describing actions undertaken by some co-conspirators.
Id at 20-26. As discussed below, the record reflects that petitioner was well aware, that such
guideline computation was not final or binding upon the Court.
However, because failure to meet either prong of Strickland is fatal, United States v.
Caparotta, 676 F.3d 213, 219–20 (1st Cir. 2012), the Court finds that it need not delve into the
effectiveness of petitioner’s counsel.
(ii)

Prejudice

The “prejudice[] requirement… focuses on whether counsel's constitutionally ineffective
performance affected the outcome of the plea process.” Hill, 474 U.S. at 59. Thus, in the context
of sentencing guidelines calculations, “the absence of any error in sentencing would eliminate
any prejudice, and therefore [petitioner]’s ineffectiveness claim.” Cofske v. U.S., 290 F.3d 437, 441
(1st Cir. 2002)(emphasis added).
Petitioner alleges

that counsel negotiated the plea agreement based on erroneous

interpretation of the United States Sentencing Guidelines (“Sentencing Guidelines”), specifically
U.S.S.G. §§ 3D1.2, 2s1.1 and (b)(2)(B), 2D1.1(c)(3). ECF No. 3-1 at 22. He adds, counsel “lack[ed]
knowledge of the guidelines.” Id at 23. Based on petitioner’s allegations, counsel’s “error
exacerbated when, at sentencing, [she] persisted on the correctness of the analysis from the plea
agreement.” Ultimately, petitioner asserts that he was “prejudiced” “in that he relied on a plea
agreement upon which his own trial counsel… incorrectly calculated the… offense level,” “[b]y

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entering into the plea based on those representations, he received a sentence which was six to
nine years longer that the calculations presented in the worksheets.” Id. Petitioner avers he “did
not receive from his counsel... accurate information as to the applicable U.S. Sentencing
Guidelines, or sentence [he] was facing prior to entering into a plea agreement.” Id at 24. 4
However, petitioner does not claim that but for counsel’s error he would have insisted on
going to trial. See U.S. v. Rivera-Cruz, 878 F.3d at 410. Aside from a general request for habeas
relief “to proceed to trial,” not a single line in the petition stands for the proposition that
petitioner would have rather proceeded to trial if he knew that entering into a plea agreement
would represent an additional “six to nine years” of imprisonment in his sentence. ECF No. 3-1
at 24. Rather, petitioner contends the “representations in the [plea] agreement… mislead” him
as to the “effect of the plea agreement.” Id at 15. The plea agreement, he adds, “specified the
counts [he] would plead guilty to, as well as the maximum penalties that could be imposed.” Id
at 11. But petitioner does not assert that faced with the risk of a sentence “six to nine years
longer,” he would have insisted on going to trial. Presumably--as highlighted in the
government’s response--because petitioner (as to Count One) “faced a potential life sentence.”
ECF No. 16 at 9. As it stands, petitioner seems to request habeas relief solely because an error
was committed by his attorney in calculating the sentencing guidelines, but nothing in the
petition indicates that “but for counsel’s” mistake the result of the plea bargain process would
have yielded a different result.

Petitioner’s memorandum in support of his petition generally expounds that among the relief sought, “the Court
would either” “re-sentence, or grant, defendant the choice of re-entering into a new [p]lea [a]greement or proceed
directly to trial by jury.” ECF No. 3-1 at 27.

4

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Petitioner’s prejudice argument is also undermined by the record. Via plea agreement
petitioner acknowledged “that the Court may impose a sentence in accordance with the
applicable provision(s) of the Sentencing Guidelines, Title 18 United States Code, § 3551, et
seq.[], which are now advisory”: “as determined by the court”. 13-CR-597(ADC), ECF No. 230
at 3,5. Moreover, petitioner acknowledged, “sentence is within the sound discretion of the
sentencing judge and the advisory Sentencing Guidelines… the Court is not a party to this Plea
Agreement and thus, is not bound by this agreement or the sentencing calculations and/or
recommendations contained herein.” Id at 4 (emphasis added). Within the plea agreement
defendant was placed on notice that the “court has jurisdiction and authority to impose any
sentence within the statutory maximum set for the offense” of conviction and that if the court
were to impose the maximum statutory sentence, for that reason alone, he will be precluded
from withdrawing his guilty plea. Id at 4. During the change of plea hearing, petitioner affirmed
he discussed the entirety of the plea agreement with counsel, he understood its terms, and
agreed to all of them. 13-CR-597(ADC), ECF No. 597 at 8, 9 (referring to the plea agreement
documents, “I understand and agree completely”). Also, the plea agreement made clear that
calculations done by the parties assumed a CHC I, but that ultimately, there was no stipulation
as to defendant’s criminal history category. 13-CR-597(ADC), ECF No.230 at 7,9.
Petitioner does not claim that counsel failed to inform him of the non-binding nature of the
plea agreement as to the Court’s ultimate decision related to his sentence. But even if the Court
assumes that counsel failed to properly advise petitioner on this subject, before accepting his

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guilty plea, petitioner was made well aware of the Court’s discretion to adopt or reject the
recommendation in the plea agreement.
Before accepting petitioner’s guilty plea, the Court specifically explained to him:
THE MAGISTRATE: You have a type B plea, Mr. Marín, which means that
your agreement is under a specific rule of criminal procedure, Rule
11(c)(1)(a) and (b), which means that your agreement is that a
recommendation will be made to Judge Delgado but, if she rejects the
recommendation for some reason, under that rule, you will not be
allowed to withdraw your plea. I need to make sure that you understand
the type of plea you’re getting into. Do you understand? 13-CR597(ADC), ECF No. 597 at 9 (emphasis added).
THE DEFENDANT: I understand perfectly, your Honor. Id at 10.
[…]
THE MAGISTRATE: In determining your sentence, the presiding judge will
consider but may not follow the guidelines calculations, those calculations
contained in your agreement in those worksheets. They render ranges of
time to be served as the appropriate time. I need you to understand that
these guidelines are of an advisory nature, okay, and the presiding judge
may follow or may not follow them and she may impose a sentence that
could be more severe or less severe, always understanding that there is a
statutory minimum of ten years. Do you understand this? Id at 18.
THE DEFENDANT: I understand perfectly, Your Honor. Id (emphasis
added).
THE MAGISTRATE: In addition to the sentencing guidelines and the
statutory minimums and maximums that I’ve already explained, there is
something called the sentencing guidelines, I’m sorry, the sentencing
factors. The sentencing factors are contained at 18 USC, Section 3553(a).
These factors are as follows: The seriousness of the offense, the need for
deterrence of criminal conduct, the need to protect the public from further
crimes, the need to provide defendants with educational, vocational,
medical training, medical care, the need to provide restitution to any
specific victim and the Court may take into account any special
characteristics on the part of the defendant to be sentenced, anything

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particular, anything that would merit any weight. Those are the factors. Do
you understand them? Id.
THE DEFENDANT: I understand perfectly, Your Honor. Id at 19. 5
Although petitioner may now argue feeling misled by the calculations performed by his
counsel and counsel for the government , he cannot assert that he was unaware of the possibility
that the Court would reject the plea agreement’s recommendation and impose a different
sentence under the applicable Sentencing Guidelines. The record reflects he was so advised in
writing within the plea agreement, most likely by counsel when discussing the same, and by
counsel for the government and the Magistrate Judge at the Rule 11 hearing. Actually, during
the change of plea hearing, the government was asked to summarize, in defendant’s presence,
the extent of the sentencing recommendation agreed upon. At that point, the government stated:
“The recommendation in this case[] ...would be that the defendant will serve a term of
imprisonment at the lower end of the applicable guideline range determined by the Court,
depending on the criminal history category.” 13-CR-597(ADC), ECF No. 597 at 9-11.
Even if counsel did in fact commit an error, which resulted in a flawed worksheet calculation
of the recommended sentencing, the truth of the matter is that that petitioner was fully aware
that the sentencing recommendation was contingent to his undisputed criminal history
category, which was not stipulated, and to a guideline calculation that was advisory in nature

It must be noted that petitioner Echevarri, a 59 years of age businessman, throughout the Rule 11 colloquy
demonstrated to be ‘lucid, oriented,…to understand the proceedings,…aware of the nature of proceedings…” as
stated by the magistrate judge who indicated was observing his demeanor. 13-CR-597, ECF No. 597 at 6. Throughout the proceedings, petitioner was not providing monosyllabic responses but rather, answered in complete
sentences, was coherent and actively participating by even asking for time to consult with counsel when he felt was
needed. Id at 12
5

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and that the Court had the discretion to impose, up to the statutory maximum sentence without
him being able to withdraw his plea, simply because he disagreed with the sentence imposed.
Considering that: a) petitioner was repeatedly informed that the guidelines were advisory,
b) the sentence recommendation was contingent to the future determination of his criminal
history category, c) the plea agreement was a non-binding one (type B), d) such sentence, could
be up to the maximum by statute, and e) the Court made petitioner aware of the Court’s
discretion to reject the sentence recommendation, petitioner cannot assert he received a
prejudiced defense.
Finally, it is worth noting that petitioner was sentenced in accordance with the calculations
included in the PSR. The PSR containing a different guideline calculation than the one in the
plea agreement which was timely discussed with defendant 15-CR-397, ECF No. 584 at
20.Petitioner, who had listened to defense counsel’s arguments, was specifically asked if the
“information that appeared in the PSR was correct”. The defendant indicated “well, I read the
report and I see some things that I think are incorrect”. Id at 20. The sentencing court, while
alerting petitioner of the importance of the court “having a clear scenario” of his concerns,
continued to explore the extent of petitioner’s statements and disagreements with the contents
of the PSR, in great detail, actually inquiring from defendant as to the accuracy of the data within
the PSR , by sections and by paragraphs. Id at 21-26. No objections were voiced by petitioner in
regards to the guideline computation or the parties’ sentencing recommendation. While in court
for sentencing, after stating that he had discussed the PSR with his counsel, petitioner answered
the Court’s inquiry as follows:

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THE COURT: Do you understand that the information that appears within
that report is correct?
THE DEFENDANT: Well, I read the report and I see some things that I think
are incorrect.
THE COURT: Okay, what is incorrect based on your understanding?
THE DEFENDANT: I think that the story that is being told here is not
correct.
THE COURT: What story, about the commission of the offense, how it was
committed? 13-CR-597(ADC), ECF No. 584 at 20
THE DEFENDANT: No, the crime as such I think that is correct. What I
think is that there are some mistakes. Your Honor, when we read this we
found numerous mistakes, but none of that has to do with my part nor the
crime as such. These are mistakes that might be typographical errors or just
the story that has been told in the wrong way.
THE COURT: Mr. Marin it is very important for me to have a clear scenario
of what you allude to. If we take it by stages and I would like to have this
clear… Id at 21.
(….)
THE COURT: So, from there on what we have is pure guideline
computations which I imagine you don't have the expertise but your
counsel does, and that goes all the way to paragraph 59 which in essence
what counsel has been arguing here… Id at 23.
THE DEFENDANT: Your Honor, forgive me, I don't want you to waste
your time -- when I read this I was actually referring more to the story of
my codefendants but I am not saying that the facts and the story as such
were incorrect. Id at 24.
THE COURT: Mr. Marin, so you are satisfied with the fact that everything
that pertains to you and the illegal conduct or actions in which you engaged
is correct?
THE DEFENDANT: Completely correct, yes.
THE COURT: Is there anything else that you would like to state at this time
and that I should consider?
THE DEFENDANT: Your Honor, what I wanted to say is that this part of
my life was just a mistake. I did violence let's say, to my roots and I am
completely repentant of this and if you right now don't believe me, or if you
don't trust me I ask you that you please take that it into consideration,
because this is not going to happen again. Thank you. Id at 26.

Page 16

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During that time, petitioner never mentioned being unsatisfied with counsel’s
recommendation as to whether to accept or not the plea agreement. Neither did petitioner state
that he would not have pleaded guilty if counsel would have presented him with a sentence
calculation and recommendation akin to the PSR’s calculation. Moreover, petitioner did not
otherwise manifest discomfort, prior to sentence being imposed, with the Court’s determination
as to the applicable guidelines or in entering into the plea agreement under the wrong
impression as to the recommended sentencing guideline calculation.
Pursuant to all the above, petitioner does not claim that “but for counsel’s” ineffectiveness
(1) the plea bargaining process would have yielded a different result, or (2) he would have opted
to proceed to trial, or that (3) the Court would have imposed a different sentence. Moreover,
petitioner does not argue, and—based on the record—cannot argue, that he was unaware of the
Court’s discretion to either accept or reject the plea agreement’s recommendation. Under
Strickland the petition is thus facially insufficient as it fails to allege prejudice resulting from
counsel’s ineffectiveness, if any. Cofske v. U.S., 290 F.3d at 441. Therefore, petitioner’s ineffective
assistance claim lacks a showing of prejudice.
Because failure to meet either prong of Strickland is fatal, United States v. Caparotta, 676 F.3d
213, 219–20 (1st Cir. 2012), petitioner’s ineffective assistance argument at ECF No. 3 is DENIED.
Even if the Court liberally construes petitioner’s pro se filing, the petition clearly misses the mark.
There is no assertion upon which the Court can rely to make a finding of “reasonable probability
that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been
different.” Parsley v. United States, 604 F.3d 667, 671 (1st Cir. 2010). Even if counsel negotiated

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his plea agreement and made recommendations as to whether he should accept that agreement,
without a hundred percent certainty of the computation’s accuracy, the truth remains that the
parties and defendant as well, understood that such computation was advisory, not final and
contingent not only to the final determination of his criminal history category but, upon the
Court’s assessment and final determination .
B. Breach of the plea agreement.
Petitioner argues that the government “promised” him to recommend a sentence at the
“lower end of Guidelines of 152 months.” ECF No. 3-1 at 17. The government broke that
promise, petitioner contends, “when it failed to advocate for the agreed upon Total Offense
Level of 34 that was expressly stated in the agreement that includes the agreed upon lower role
in the offense.” Id. During sentencing, the government “limited and qualified the plea
agreement, ignoring the many other promises it made.” The execution of the plea agreement
“misled [petitioner] as to the applicable U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the advisory sentence
he was facing prior to his plea, as well as the government’s failure to argue for the agreement’s
terms at sentencing, ‘adversely impacted fairness.’” Id at 20.
This exact same argument was decided by the Court of Appeals against petitioner.
“Issues disposed of in a prior appeal will not be reviewed again by way of a 28 U.S.C. § 2255
motion[.]” Singleton v. U.S., 26 F.3d 233, 240 (1st Cir. 1994)(quoting Dirring v. United States, 370
F.2d 862, 864 (1st Cir. 1967), cited in Barrett v. United States, 965 F.2d 1184, 1190 n. 11 (1st Cir.

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1992)). Seeing as to nothing has changed and that a more developed record would not add any
value to the consideration of this argument, 6 petitioner’s argument is denied.
C. Minor role reduction
A defendant who seeks a minor role adjustment bears the burden of proving his entitlement
thereto by a preponderance of the evidence. U.S. v. Vargas, 560 F.3d 45, 50–51 (1st Cir. 2009).
Petitioner’s conclusory argument at ECF Nos. 3, 3-1 at 25-26 fails to set forth facts for the Court
to consider any specific detail of his role as a “leader” within the drug trafficking organization.
A determination of a defendant’s role in an offense “cannot be clearly erroneous where it
is based on a reasonable inference drawn from the undisputed facts.” United States v. DiIorio, 948
F.2d 1, 5 (1st Cir. 1991). “[A] defendant who aspires to be classified as a minor participant bears
the burden of proving that he is both (i) less culpable than most other participants in the offenses
of conviction, and (ii) less culpable than the average miscreant involved in offenses of the same
genre.” United States v. Sánchez, 354 F.3d 70, 74 (1st Cir. 2004).
Petitioner’s role in the offense was determined by the Court as that of a leader, allocating
a four-point increase under the guidelines. While challenging this determination, petitioner fails
to acknowledge the he had already stipulated to a three (3) point enhancement based on his
managerial role. The record has plenty of evidence that supports petitioner’s leadership within
the drug importation venture inasmuch he was responsible for defining, setting into motion the
importation of drugs in the suitcases, the recovery of proceeds and the movement of drugs and

Petitioner admits that “the record,” at time of filing the petition, “discloses trial counsel’s ineffectiveness.” ECF
No. 3-1 at 10.
6

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illegal proceeds through Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and United States ( mainland). The
government’s evidence clearly included evidence portraying defendant giving instructions and
directly communicating with at least sixteen of eighteen other defendants charged. ECF No. 584
at 28-29. As stated at the time of sentence, defendant was the highest-ranking member of the
trafficking organization and as such it is once again, highlighted as follows:
I have presided over the sentences of all of these cases and regardless of
what the government stipulated if there is one person that appears to be the
leader and only person controlling every single transaction and actions of
the remaining codefendants all the way down to defendant number 19, it
is your client. ECF No. 584 at 8 (emphasis added).
He is the leader of the scheme, he is the leader of the drugs coming here
and he is the one defining how the monies are to be laundered. Id.
As to the objection for the managerial versus leadership role I made my
findings. Which I think if the Court of Appeals looks to this case in the
sentences of all of the codefendants and the proffers that the government
has made as to the evidence available as to each one, Mr. Marín Echeverri
emerges as one of those few occasions in which the government is able to
prosecute in this jurisdiction someone that resides in Columbia and has
managed to put on a scheme that includes Puerto Rico, Venezuela,
importation of drugs and distribution and subsequent money laundering
along with 18 other codefendants. So, that he is the leader, in the Courts
opinion, he is. Id at 16-17.
Petitioner has not asserted, much less shown, that he was both less culpable than the other
participants in the drug conspiracy and less culpable than most other defendants convicted of
comparable crimes. United States v. Sánchez, 354 F.3d at 74.
Interpreted in the light most favorable to petitioner, the assertions at ECF Nos. 3, 3-1 are
contradicted by the record. Thus, petitioner’s request for a minor role reduction is hereby
DENIED.

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D. Credit for time served while detained awaiting extradition in Colombia
Petitioner’s final argument stands for the proposition that he is entitled to additional credit
for time served while he was detained and waiting to be extradited to the Court’s jurisdiction.
Upon his arrest in Colombia on “May 26, 2014, and before being extradited to the United States
to answer to the instant criminal case, and matter, at hand on December 11, 2014, [petitioner]
served, approximately, 6 ½ months in said Colombia prison.” ECF No. 3-1 at 26. Concededly,
petitioner “was afforded said 6 ½ month credit for ‘time served’ in said Colombia prison.” Id.
However, petitioner now requests that the Court “double said 6 ½ month time served, to 13
months, pursuant to Colombian rules of criminal procedure, whereby all prisoners are afforded
double ‘time served.’” Id at 27. In other words, pursuant to an undisclosed Colombian rule,
petitioner requests the Court grant him double credit for the time served at a jail in Colombia.
The government responded that this request in no way challenges any aspect of petitioner’s
federal sentence, but rather its execution. ECF No. 16 at 12. Thus, the government contends, it is
not a cognizable request under habeas relief as it is not a constitutional error, a sentence imposed
outside the statutory limits, or an error so fundamental as to render the proceedings invalid. Id.
Alternatively, the government argues, petitioner is procedurally defaulted by failing to raise this
issue on direct appeal. Id. Even if the Court were to entertain this argument, the government
posits that the federal rules do not support such a relief. Id.
Here, the Court did in fact award petitioner credit for his time served at a jail in Colombia,
six months, and seventeen days to be precise. Petitioner concedes that point. However, he argues

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that the Court has discretion to double that time just because a rule in Colombia allows it.
Contrary to the alleged Colombian rule, 18 U.S.C. § 3585 provides:
(b) Credit for prior custody.-- A defendant shall be given credit toward the
service of a term of imprisonment for any time he has spent in official
detention prior to the date the sentence commences-(1) as a result of the offense for which the sentence was imposed; or
(2) as a result of any other charge for which the defendant was arrested after
the commission of the offense for which the sentence was imposed;
that has not been credited against another sentence.
The Court denies petitioner’s request for an unsupported doubling of the time he served in
a jail in Colombia pursuant to an alien, undisclosed rule that is facially contrary to the provisions
of the United States Code. There is no need to entertain this argument any further.
IV.

Certificate of Appealability
Pursuant to Rule 11(a) of the Rules Governing § 2255 Proceedings, a “district court must

issue or deny a certificate of appealability (“COA”) when it enters a final order adverse to the
applicant.” Rules Governing § 2255 Proceedings, Rule 11, 28 U.S.C.A. § 2255. To merit a COA,
an applicant must make “a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.” 28 U.S.C.
§ 2253(c)(2). Considering the nature of the petitioner’s claims, a certificate of appealability is
hereby GRANTED.

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V.

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Conclusion
Petitioner’s motion at ECF No. 3 is DENIED, and the case is DISMISSED WITH

PREJUDICE. Certificate of appealability is hereby GRANTED.
The Clerk of the Court shall enter judgment accordingly.
SO ORDERED
At San Juan, Puerto Rico, on this 30th day of November 2020.
S/AIDA M. DELGADO-COLÓN
United States District Judge