Benanti v. USA

Filing 42

MEMORANDUM AND OPINION as to Michael Benanti re: MOTION to Vacate under 28 U.S.C. 2255 filed by Michael Benanti: For the reasons stated in the memorandum opinion filed contemporaneously, petitioners 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion 1 and petitioners counsels supplemental motion 34 are hereby GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. Judgment Order to follow.Signed by District Judge Thomas A Varlan on January 6, 2022. (JAN)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
MICHAEL BENANTI,
Petitioner,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Respondent.

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Nos.: 3:20-CV-194-TAV-DCP
3:15-CR-177-TAV-DCP-1

MEMORANDUM OPINION
This action is before the Court on petitioner Michael Benanti’s voluminous pro se
motion to vacate, set aside, or correct his sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 [Doc. 1].1 The
government filed a response [Doc. 13], and petitioner filed a reply [Doc. 19]. Additionally,
petitioner’s counsel filed a supplemental motion [Doc. 34] and supplemental reply
[Doc. 39] on the Davis2 issue discussed infra Part II.G, the sole issue for which the Court
appointed counsel [Doc. 6].
After considering the entire record in this case, the Court finds that seven of
petitioner’s § 924(c) convictions must be vacated in light of Davis. With that exception,
the Court finds petitioner’s motion entirely meritless. Accordingly, petitioner’s motion
[Doc. 1] will be GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.

Citations in this opinion refer to petitioner’s civil case unless otherwise noted. But see
infra note 3.
1

2

United States v. Davis, 139 S. Ct. 2319 (2019).

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I.

Background3
Between 2014 and 2015, petitioner and codefendant Brian Witham (“Witham”)

engaged in a conspiracy to rob financial institutions and retail stores [Doc. 197 ¶¶ 29–39].
Petitioner and Witham held employees of these businesses and their families––including
young children––at gunpoint and demanded that the employees rob the businesses [Id.].
During the offenses, petitioner and Witham wore expensive disguises [Id. ¶¶ 33, 36–37]
and violently threatened the victims [Id. ¶¶ 31, 34, 36; see also Doc. 249 pp. 116–17 (noting
that petitioner and Witham informed one employee that if he did not complete the robbery
within twelve minutes, for “[e]very minute that he was late, they would cut off [his wife’s]
fingers” and that if he refused to comply, “they would send [his] daughter [to him] . . . in
pieces”)]. Petitioner served as the “prolific idea guy,” formulating complex strategies, and
Witham conducted physical labor and surveillance [Doc. 241 pp. 126–27, 216]. Petitioner
retained most of the proceeds from the offenses [Doc. 197 ¶¶ 31, 35–36].
On September 3, 2015, officers engaged in a high-speed pursuit of petitioner and
Witham, who were driving a stolen Ford Edge [Doc. 246 pp. 104–08]. Ultimately,
petitioner and Witham escaped on foot each carrying black bags [Id. at 111–13]. Officers
obtained from their abandoned vehicle, inter alia, a GPS containing historical tracks to 124
Rebel Ridge Road, a North Carolina address coinciding with a rental cabin at Premier

Citations in this Part only refer to petitioner’s criminal case unless otherwise noted. This
opinion presumes familiarity and thus only recounts facts pertinent to petitioner’s § 2255 motion.
2
3

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Vacation Rentals, where petitioner and Witham rented a cabin for a period of time [Doc. 87
pp. 119, 143–44, 147].
In November 2015, petitioner and Witham began renting a cabin at 380 Allison
Drive in North Carolina (also known as “Southern Comfort”), and law enforcement
conducted surveillance of the premises [Id. at 149–51]. During this surveillance, officers
repeatedly observed two white men and a Nissan Pathfinder with a stolen Maryland license
plate [Id. at 119, 151].
On November 25, 2015, Trooper Greg Reynolds (“Reynolds”) followed the
Pathfinder because it had a stolen license plate, and based on Reynolds’s personal
knowledge and information received from other law enforcement, Reynolds believed its
occupants had committed numerous bank robberies and were the assailants in the
September 3 chase [Id. at 35, 41–44]. In light of this information, Reynolds initiated a
traffic stop [Id. at 44–46]. Reynolds noticed the Pathfinder stopped slowly and barely
pulled onto the shoulder and that petitioner stepped out with a black bag, and Reynolds
identified these characteristics as similar to those during the September 3 chase [Id. at
48–50; see Doc. 88 p. 20]. Reynolds arrested petitioner and officers eventually searched
the cabin at 380 Allison Drive where they discovered considerable evidence connecting
petitioner and Witham to the robberies, including firearms, surveillance equipment, and
numerous disguises containing petitioner’s and Witham’s DNA [Doc. 238 pp. 99–100;
109–12, 141, 144–46, 164–65; Doc. 239 pp. 41–42].

3

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Before trial, petitioner filed motions to suppress evidence, arguing probable cause
did not support his arrest and that the search warrant for 380 Allison Drive contained false
information and did not sufficiently detail the nexus between the offenses and the cabin
[See Docs. 58, 65]. Based on Reynolds’s testimony and other evidence, the magistrate
judge found that petitioner’s arrest was supported by probable cause [Doc. 58 pp. 28–35].
The magistrate judge emphasized that Reynolds knew the circumstances of the September
3 chase when he arrested petitioner [Id. at 30–31]. Moreover, the magistrate judge applied
the collective knowledge doctrine and held that knowledge of Agent Jeff Blanton––who
personally had probable cause to believe the occupants of the Pathfinder were the assailants
in the September chase––could be imputed to Reynolds because Agent Blanton conferred
with Reynolds before he arrested petitioner [Id. at 32–35].
Further, the magistrate judge found that probable cause supported the search warrant
because several factors linked petitioner and Witham’s offenses to the cabin, including
that: (1) the offenses involved armed, disguised gunmen who kidnapped employees and
their families; (2) the perpetrators forced the employees to rob their employers; (3) the
perpetrators held the employees’ families hostage while requiring the employees to commit
the robberies; (4) the GPS obtained from the September 3 chase had traces to the cabin at
124 Rebel Road, and the owner of that cabin informed officers that its occupants had moved
to the cabin at 380 Allison Drive; and (5) the circumstances of the September 3 chase were
nearly identical to the circumstances of the November 25 stop [Doc. 65 pp. 6–9].
Furthermore, the magistrate judge held that petitioner did not establish the search warrant
4

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affidavit contained false information to support a Franks4 hearing [Id. at 19–20]. Petitioner
filed objections to the magistrate judge’s findings both as to his arrest and the search of the
cabin at 380 Allison Drive, but the Court adopted the magistrate judge’s findings as is
relevant here [Docs. 88, 89], and the Sixth Circuit affirmed the Court’s decision [Doc. 275].
At trial, Witham testified against petitioner and confirmed that petitioner and
Witham committed the offenses [See generally Doc. 241]. Further, the government
introduced testimony from dozens of other witnesses as well as physical evidence,
including firearms and disguises bearing petitioner’s DNA [See Docs. 145, 147].
Moreover, over petitioner’s objection, the Court allowed introduction of evidence that
petitioner “frequented a strip club, cheated on his girlfriend, embezzled from his business,
and engaged in fraudulent schemes” [Doc. 275 p. 7]. Petitioner appealed the Court’s
decision to admit this evidence, and the Sixth Circuit concluded the Court improperly
admitted the evidence but that such was a harmless error [Id. at 8–9].
Ultimately, the jury convicted petitioner on all counts of the superseding indictment
[Doc. 30], that is: (1) conspiracy to commit robbery and extortion in violation of 18 U.S.C.
§ 1951 (Count One); (2) possession of a firearm in furtherance of the offense in Count One
in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (Count Two); (3) two counts of attempted bank extortion
in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113 (Counts Three and Seventeen); (4) bank extortion in
violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113 (Count Ten); (5) three counts of using a firearm in
furtherance of the offenses in Counts Three, Ten, and Seventeen in violation of 18 U.S.C.

4

Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154 (1978).
5

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§ 924(c) (Counts Four, Eleven, and Eighteen); (6) three counts of carjacking in violation
of 18 U.S.C. § 2119 (Counts Five, Twelve, and Nineteen); (7) three counts of using a
firearm in furtherance of the offenses in Counts Five, Twelve, and Nineteen in violation of
18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (Counts Six, Thirteen, and Twenty); (8) three counts of kidnapping in
violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201 (Counts Seven, Fourteen, and Twenty-one); (9) three counts
of using a firearm in furtherance of the offenses in Counts Seven, Fourteen, and
Twenty-one in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (Counts Eight, Fifteen, and Twenty-two);
and (10) three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C.
§§ 922 and 924 (Counts Nine, Sixteen, and Twenty-three) [Doc. 143].
After trial, while represented, petitioner filed a motion [Doc. 153] seeking leave to
file a pro se motion for a new trial. During a hearing on this motion, petitioner’s counsel
stated he believed that if petitioner was granted co-counsel status, counsel may have an
“inherent conflict of interest” with petitioner because he and petitioner might inevitably
disagree as to the best course of action as to petitioner’s representation [Doc. 243 pp. 5–6].
Moreover, petitioner’s counsel indicated that, accordingly, it would be in petitioner’s
interests to proceed pro se for purposes of his new trial motion [See id.].
Ultimately, the magistrate judge authorized petitioner to file a pro se motion for a
new trial after conducting a modified Faretta5 hearing to verify petitioner’s pro se
representation was knowing and voluntary [See generally Docs. 163, 243], and petitioner
subsequently filed his pro se motion for a new trial [Doc. 169]. The Court denied

5

Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975).
6

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petitioner’s pro se motion and specifically rejected petitioner’s arguments that: (1) the
search warrant affidavit in the application for a warrant to search 380 Allison Drive
contained intentionally or recklessly false information; (2) the government knowingly
concealed the possibility that more than two persons were involved in the offenses; and
(3) the government improperly bolstered Witham’s testimony during trial [See generally
Doc. 199]. On appeal, the Sixth Circuit affirmed the Court’s denial of petitioner’s pro se
motion for a new trial [Doc. 275; see also Doc. 311].
On July 18, 2017, the Court sentenced petitioner as follows: (1) concurrent
sentences of life imprisonment as to Counts Three, Seven, Nine, Ten, Fourteen, Sixteen,
Seventeen, Twenty-one, and Twenty-three (with Counts Nine, Sixteen, and Twenty-three
merged); (2) 240 months of imprisonment as to Count One to be served concurrently with
the preceding sentences; (3) 180 months of imprisonment as to Counts Five, Twelve, and
Nineteen to be served concurrently with the preceding sentences; (4) 60 months of
imprisonment as to Count Two (petitioner’s first § 924(c) conviction) and 25 years of
imprisonment as to Counts Four, Six, Eleven, Thirteen, Eighteen, and Twenty, all to be
served consecutively to each other and the preceding sentences; and (5) sentences of life
imprisonment as to Counts Eight, Fifteen, and Twenty-two to run consecutively to each
other and the preceding sentences [Doc. 204 pp. 1–3].

As to petitioner’s merged

felon-in-possession convictions as to Counts Nine, Sixteen, and Twenty-three, the Court
applied an enhancement under § 924(e) of the Armed Career Criminal Act (“ACCA”)

7

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[See id.; see also Doc. 197 ¶¶ 87, 121]. Additionally, the Court applied various upward
adjustments under the sentencing guidelines [See, e.g., Doc. 197 ¶¶ 66, 70, 72].
Since sentencing, petitioner has filed an overwhelming number of pro se motions,
including a § 2255 motion for which the pro se briefing alone easily exceeds 700 pages.
In this opinion, the Court addresses petitioner’s § 2255 motion [No. 3:20-CV-194 Doc. 1].6
II.

Analysis
The Court must vacate, set aside, or correct a prisoner’s sentence if it finds that “the

judgment was rendered without jurisdiction, or that the sentence imposed was not
authorized by law or otherwise open to collateral attack, or that there has been such a denial
or infringement of the constitutional rights of the prisoner as to render the judgment
vulnerable to collateral attack . . . .” 28 U.S.C. § 2255. To obtain relief under § 2255
because of a constitutional error, the error must be one of “constitutional magnitude which
had a substantial and injurious effect or influence on the proceedings.” Watson v. United
States, 165 F.3d 486, 488 (6th Cir. 1999) (citing Brecht v. Abrahamson, 507 U.S. 619,
637–38 (1993)).
The petitioner has the burden to prove he is entitled to relief by a preponderance of
the evidence. Pough v. United States, 442 F.3d 959, 964 (6th Cir. 2006). The petitioner
“must clear a significantly higher hurdle than would exist on direct appeal.” United States
v. Frady, 456 U.S. 152, 166 (1982). Particularly, the petitioner must demonstrate a
“‘fundamental defect’ in the proceedings which necessarily results in a complete

6

The Court addresses petitioner’s other motions in contemporaneously-filed orders.
8

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miscarriage of justice or an egregious error violative of due process.” Fair v. United States,
157 F.3d 427, 430 (6th Cir. 1998) (citation omitted).
The Court notes that petitioner is acting pro se except for purposes of the Davis
issue. “It is . . . well-settled that ‘[t]he allegations of a pro se habeas petition . . . are entitled
to a liberal construction . . . .’” Porter v. Genovese, 676 F. App’x 428, 440 (6th Cir. 2017)
(alteration in original). Therefore, the Court will liberally construe petitioner’s motion.
Petitioner’s motion raises numerous issues. First, petitioner asserts he is entitled to
an evidentiary hearing on his § 2255 motion. Second, petitioner argues his trial and
appellate counsel were ineffective. Third, petitioner asserts direct claims for prosecutorial
misconduct. Fourth, petitioner challenges an evidentiary determination of the Court during
his trial. Fifth, petitioner challenges his § 924(c) convictions under § 403 of the First Step
Act. Sixth, petitioner challenges his enhancement under the ACCA in light of Johnson.7
Finally, petitioner challenges seven of his § 924(c) convictions in light of Davis.
A.

Evidentiary Hearing

Petitioner requests an evidentiary hearing to determine whether he is entitled to
relief and argues there are “critical facts in dispute” [Doc. 1 p. 20; Doc. 2 p. 1]. Petitioner
requests that the Court appoint counsel if the Court orders a hearing [Doc. 2 p. 127].
An evidentiary hearing is not required on a § 2255 motion if the motion, files, and
record conclusively show that the petitioner is not entitled to relief or if the petitioner’s
assertions are “contradicted by the record [or] inherently incredible.” Woolsey v. United

7

Johnson v. United States, 576 U.S. 591 (2015).
9

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States, 794 F. App’x 469, 474–75 (6th Cir. 2019) (citation omitted); see 28 U.S.C.
§ 2255(b); see also Arredondo v. United States, 178 F.3d 778, 782 (6th Cir. 1999) (citation
omitted).
Based on the record and as discussed infra, it plainly appears petitioner is entitled
to relief insofar as his Davis claims are concerned. However, it plainly appears petitioner
is not entitled to relief as to his other claims because they are “contradicted by the record
[and] inherently incredible.” See Woolsey, 794 F. App’x at 474–75 (citation omitted). In
sum, despite petitioner’s conclusory allegations, there are no facts in dispute, and this Court
and the Sixth Circuit have repeatedly rejected petitioner’s assertions to the contrary.
Therefore, the Court finds it is not necessary to hold an evidentiary hearing.
Accordingly, petitioner’s request for an evidentiary hearing will be DENIED and
his request for counsel during such hearing will be DENIED AS MOOT.
B.

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

Petitioner asserts several claims for ineffective assistance of counsel, and these
claims are cognizable under § 2255. See Massaro v. United States, 538 U.S. 500, 508–09
(2003). A petitioner alleging ineffective assistance of counsel must satisfy the two-part
test set forth in Strickland v. Washington. 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). First, the petitioner
must identify specific acts or omissions to prove that counsel’s performance was deficient
as measured by “prevailing professional norms.” Rompilla v. Beard, 545 U.S. 374, 380
(2005). Counsel is presumed to have provided effective assistance, and the petitioner bears
the burden of showing otherwise. Mason v. Mitchell, 320 F.3d 604, 616–17 (6th Cir. 2003);
10

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see also Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689 (providing that a reviewing court “must indulge a
strong presumption that counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable
professional assistance”).
Second, a petitioner must establish “a reasonable probability that, but for [counsel’s
deficient acts or omissions], the result of the proceeding would have been different.”
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. “An error by counsel, even if professionally unreasonable,
does not warrant setting aside the judgment of a criminal proceeding if the error had no
effect on the judgment.” Id. at 691; see also Smith v. Robbins, 528 U.S. 259, 285–86
(2000). Because a petitioner “must satisfy both prongs [of Strickland], the inability to
prove either one of the prongs—regardless of which one—relieves the reviewing court of
any duty to consider the other.” Nichols v. United States, 563 F.3d 240, 249 (6th Cir. 2009)
(en banc).
1.

Counsel’s Conduct Regarding Petitioner’s Motion to Suppress

Petitioner argues counsel committed errors when preparing for petitioner’s motions
to suppress. Petitioner’s arguments relate to: (1) whether probable cause existed for
petitioner’s arrest; and (2) whether the warrant application affidavit contained false
information and demonstrated probable cause to search 380 Allison Drive.
a.

Probable Cause to Arrest Petitioner

Petitioner argues counsel was ineffective in challenging the constitutionality of
petitioner’s arrest on November 25, 2015 [Doc. 2 pp. 6–14].

11

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First, petitioner suggests the facts supporting petitioner’s arrest were primarily that
Reynolds saw that the person exiting the vehicle was heavy set, had a bald spot, and held
a black bag and that Reynolds considered these facts to be similar to those during the
September 3 chase [Id. at 6, 8]. And petitioner argues counsel should have objected to this
basis because Reynolds arrested petitioner by initiating the stop before he could see
petitioner [See id. at 6–14].
The Court finds no prejudice because there is no reasonable probability that the
result of the proceeding would have been different had counsel made this argument. Ample
other evidence supported probable cause even before Reynolds initiated the traffic stop.
As the Sixth Circuit stated:
Benanti argues that . . . when Reynolds arrested him, Reynolds knew only that
Benanti had been a passenger in an SUV with stolen plates. But Reynolds knew
more than that. His supervisor had just informed him that the two men in the SUV
were suspects from the September 3rd chase, and that they were on the road only
fifty miles from where the chase had occurred. Moreover, after Reynolds pulled
over the SUV, he noticed several similarities to the September 3rd encounter: both
involved SUVs with stolen plates; both involved two white men; in both, the SUV
stopped momentarily just outside the traffic lane . . . . These common circumstances
gave Reynolds ample reason to think that Benanti was the same passenger who had
fled from police in the chase on September 3rd.
[No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 275 p. 5]. Moreover, Reynolds had separate probable cause to
initiate the stop based on the fact that the Pathfinder had stolen Maryland plates [See No.
3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 88 p. 22]. Therefore, the Court finds no prejudice and abstains from
addressing whether counsel’s performance was deficient.
Second, petitioner avers counsel should have argued against the magistrate judge’s
use of the collective knowledge doctrine because: (1) while Reynolds had permission to
12

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stop the vehicle under the doctrine, he did not have permission to arrest petitioner under
the doctrine; and (2) even applying the doctrine, probable cause did not exist because
petitioner was not subject to arrest merely because he was in a stolen vehicle [Doc. 2
pp. 9–12, 14].
Regarding petitioner’s first argument, the Court finds no prejudice because
petitioner is incorrect that the collective knowledge doctrine only applies to traffic stops.
See United States v. Lyons, 687 F.3d 754, 765–66 (6th Cir. 2012); see also United States
v. Duval, 742 F.3d 246, 253 (6th Cir. 2014) (search warrant context).

Regarding

petitioner’s second argument, as stated above, the stop was supported by probable cause
with or without the doctrine [see also No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 88 pp. 20–23]. Therefore,
even assuming counsel had presented these arguments, there is no probability the Court
would have ruled for petitioner. Thus, the Court finds no prejudice.
Finally, petitioner provides a conclusory list of alleged acts of ineffective assistance
[Doc. 2 p. 14]. This list includes the following: (1) “counsel failed to object to and raise
the improper use of evidence”; (2) “counsel failure [sic] to raise prosecutorial misconduct
for [failing to object to improper use of evidence]”; (3) “counsel failure [sic] to call
witnesses and investigate for [a hearing]”; and (4) “counsel [did] not [investigate and
challenge] the contents of the surveillance reports” [Id.].
“A party waives issues that he adverts to in a perfunctory manner, unaccompanied
by some effort at developed argumentation.” Thomas v. United States, 849 F.3d 669, 679

13

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(6th Cir. 2017) (“[The petitioner] does not articulate how these actions specifically were
deficient or how they specifically prejudiced the outcome of the case. Instead, they are
tacked on to a list of the failed ineffective assistance of counsel arguments [and therefore
are waived].”). Here, petitioner does not explain how any alleged actions of counsel in his
list were deficient or how alternative courses of action would have changed the outcome.
Thus, petitioner has waived the arguments in the list.
b.

Probable Cause in the Search Warrant Affidavit

Petitioner argues counsel was ineffective in challenging the search warrant affidavit
in the government’s application for a warrant to search 380 Allison Drive [Doc. 2
pp. 15–53].
First, petitioner argues counsel should have raised the following issues: (1) the
affidavit improperly included that the GPS recovered from the September 3 chase had “a
track to the address of 124 Rebel Ridge Road” [Id. at 16–17]; (2) the affidavit improperly
included that “two males placed a deposit on Southern Comfort” because the “affiant knew
. . . that only one male rented” the property [Id. at 19]; (3) the affidavit improperly included
that “a surveillance team had observed a gray Nissan Pathfinder occupied by two white
males” because the affiant had not in fact seen two white males [Id. at 21–22]; (4) the
affidavit improperly included that the officer who conducted the September 3 chase
identified Witham because no identification was disclosed during discovery [Id. at 22–23];

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(5) counsel should have requested a Franks hearing [Id. at 24–25, 29];8 (6) the nexus
between robberies and 380 Allison Drive because the affidavit did not support such a nexus
[Id. at 32, 36–37, 39, 42–53]; and (7) the officers’ unreasonable reliance on the affidavit
[Id. at 38].
However, the Court and/or the Sixth Circuit have already rejected all of these
arguments on the merits [See generally No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Docs. 89, 199, 275]. Therefore,
the Court finds there is no possibility that counsel further raising these arguments would
have changed the outcome. Accordingly, the Court finds no prejudice.
Second, petitioner avers counsel should have argued the following statements
should have been included in the warrant affidavit: (1) “[t]he GPS data contained four start
and end points . . . in the same general area [as 124 Rebel Road]” [Doc. 2 pp. 17–18];
(2) “[t]he GPS data also contained [a different address] labeled ‘home’” [Id. at 18];
(3) “Benanti is a resident of [a different address]” [Id. at 20–21]; (4) “a date or time frame
when the FBI” “found a track to 124 Rebel Road” [Id. at 32–33]; (5) “Southern Comfort,
the place to be searched, was not the defendants [sic] home” [Id. at 33–34]; and
(6) “Benanti was not seen at the place to be searched” [Id. at 35]. Petitioner argues that
under Franks, these statements were recklessly or intentionally omitted and that probable
cause would have been absent had these statements been in the affidavit [See id. at 15].
8

Separately petitioner requests a post-conviction Franks hearing to prove the warrant
affidavit contained false information. However, petitioner is not entitled to a hearing because, as
noted below, the Court and the Sixth Circuit have repeatedly held petitioner cannot show “the
offending information [was] essential to the probable cause determination.” See Ajan v. United
States, Nos. 2:02-CR-71, 2:06-CV-24, 2009 WL 1421183, at *11 (E.D. Tenn. May 20, 2009)
(citation omitted).
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But an “affidavit is judged on the adequacy of what it does contain, not on what it
lacks, or on what a critic might say should have been added.” United States v. Allen, 211
F.3d 970, 975 (6th Cir. 2000) (en banc). Accordingly, argument by counsel for the above
inclusions would have been rejected and thus would not have changed the outcome.
Consequently, the Court finds no prejudice.
Third, petitioner argues counsel erroneously conceded that petitioner rented the
cabin at 124 Rebel Road in petitioner’s objections to the magistrate judge’s findings on
petitioner’s motion to suppress [Doc. 2 pp. 35, 39]. However, the Court has reviewed the
record and concludes counsel never conceded that petitioner rented the cabin. Rather,
counsel indicated that the persons who rented the cabin at 124 Rebel Road did not do so
until late July; counsel did not, however, actually concede that petitioner and Witham were
the persons who rented the cabin [See No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 76 p. 17]. The Court notes
petitioner cannot demonstrate prejudice from a concession that never even occurred. 9
Fourth, petitioner argues counsel improperly conceded the Court could connect the
GPS to the cabin at 124 Rebel Road [Id. at 35]. However, the Sixth Circuit found probable
cause existed independent of this concession [See generally No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 275].
Therefore, the Court finds no prejudice.
9

Petitioner also argues appellate counsel improperly conceded during oral argument that
the affidavit stated petitioner was at the cabin at 124 Rebel Road [Doc. 2 p. 35]. The Court
summarily rejects this argument because in petitioner’s own exhibit, there is a clear dispute
whether counsel actually made this concession [See Doc. 2-32]. Regardless, even if appellate
counsel made this concession, the Court finds such a slight misstatement nonprejudicial given the
complete record before the Sixth Circuit, including the affidavit itself. See United States v.
Valentine, 488 F.3d 325, 338 (6th Cir. 2007) (noting a petitioner is entitled to relief due to an error
by appellate counsel only if the error “changed the result of the appeal”).
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Finally, petitioner includes yet two more lists that together provide 33 independent
alleged acts of ineffective assistance with absolutely no explanation as to deficiency or
prejudice [Doc. 2 pp. 29–31, 53]. As the Court has noted, “[a] party waives issues that he
adverts to in a perfunctory manner, unaccompanied by some effort at developed
argumentation.” Thomas v. United States, 849 F.3d 669, 679 (6th Cir. 2017). The
arguments in these lists are conclusory and undeveloped or otherwise have already been
addressed. Moreover, petitioner does not explain how the actions in these lists were
deficient or how alternative courses of action would have changed the outcome. Thus,
petitioner has waived the arguments in these lists.
2.

Counsel’s Conduct During Trial

The Court now considers petitioner’s arguments that trial counsel’s assistance was
ineffective.
First, petitioner argues counsel should have challenged Witham’s testimony that
petitioner and Witham’s offenses were part of a “two man enterprise” and argued that
Witham committed perjury [Doc. 2 p. 67]. Petitioner reasons that the “two man enterprise”
theory was the “focal point of the trial” and that Witham’s testimony was the only evidence
supporting that theory [Id.]. Separately, petitioner argues counsel should have conducted
further cross-examination or called other witnesses to establish that more than two persons
committed the offenses [See id. at 67–68].
The Court finds that prejudice does not exist because the evidence overwhelmingly
supported the jury’s verdict, and therefore, counsel’s failure to take the actions petitioner
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posits did not affect the outcome of petitioner’s trial. Indeed, the government provided not
only testimony from dozens of other witnesses but also extensive physical evidence
indicating petitioner and Witham committed the offenses, including disguises containing
petitioner’s DNA and numerous firearms [See generally Docs. 145, 147]. Therefore, the
Court finds no prejudice.10
3.

Counsel’s Conduct Regarding Petitioner’s Motion for a New
Trial

Petitioner argues counsel was ineffective because petitioner and counsel had a
conflict of interest that caused counsel to refuse to file a motion for a new trial for petitioner
and thereby forced petitioner to file a pro se motion for a new trial [See Doc. 1 p. 16].11

10

Petitioner argues counsel should have allowed petitioner to testify at trial. At the outset,
petitioner waived this argument by failing to adequately develop it. See Thomas v. United States,
849 F.3d 669, 679 (6th Cir. 2017). Even so, the record reflects that petitioner knowingly and
voluntarily waived his right to testify by confirming with the Court he was not interested in
testifying [See No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 249 pp. 249–51].
Separately, petitioner argues counsel was ineffective because he had a conflict of interest
because counsel prevented petitioner from testifying, did not provide sufficient investigation, did
not call any witnesses, and did not challenge actions of the prosecution [Doc. 1 p. 16]. The Court
summarily rejects these arguments because they are perfunctory and therefore waived or the Court
has already rejected these arguments. See Thomas, 849 F.3d at 679. And regardless, petitioner
has not shown there was “an actual significant conflict” because petitioner does not explain how
the alleged conflict caused counsel to “make bad choices for his client.” See United States v. Mays,
77 F.3d 906, 908 (6th Cir. 1996) (citation omitted).
11

Petitioner argues the Court denied him the right to counsel for the same reason [See
Doc. 2 p. 54]. The Court rejects this argument as the Sixth Circuit held petitioner waived this
argument by failing to raise it on appeal [See No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 311 p. 5].
Similarly, the Court rejects petitioner’s arguments that the Court failed to consider his Rule
60 motion as an extension of his Rule 33 motion [Doc. 2 p. 54] and that the Court has not already
addressed his arguments in that motion [Id. at 60–63] because the Court and Sixth Circuit have
already rejected these arguments [No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 311 p. 4. See generally Doc. 285].
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A conflict of interest constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel only if the
petitioner demonstrates there was “an actual significant conflict” that caused counsel to
“make bad choices for his client.” United States v. Mays, 77 F.3d 906, 908 (6th Cir. 1996)
(citation omitted).
The Court finds petitioner has not satisfied this burden. Petitioner demanded that
counsel present prosecutorial misconduct claims that counsel felt were inappropriate
[No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 243 p. 3]. When counsel reasonably refused, petitioner agreed
to file his motion pro se, and the Court permitted petitioner to do so after conducting a
Faretta colloquy [See No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Docs. 163, 243]. From these facts, the Court
concludes no conflict of interest even existed. And even if a conflict existed, the conflict
did not cause counsel to make any “bad choices” for petitioner. See Mays, 77 F.3d at 908.
Indeed, counsel stated he preferred to allow petitioner to proceed pro se because such was
in petitioner’s best interests [See No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 243 pp. 5–6]. The Court further
notes petitioner’s decision to file his motion pro se was knowing and voluntary as reflected
by his answers during the Court’s colloquy [See generally id.]. Therefore, the Court finds
petitioner has not met his burden to demonstrate ineffective assistance of counsel on this
issue.
4.

Counsel’s Conduct Regarding Sentencing

Petitioner argues counsel should have challenged the Court’s application of various
provisions of the sentencing guidelines [See Doc. 2 p. 118; Doc. 19 p. 25]. First, petitioner
argues counsel should have challenged application of U.S.S.G. § 2A4.1(b)(1), which
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provides an upward adjustment when the offense involves a ransom demand [Doc. 19
p. 25]. See U.S.S.G. § 2A4.1(b)(1) (2018). The Court finds petitioner has not met his
burden to establish counsel’s performance was deficient on this issue because counsel
challenged application of this adjustment on other grounds [See 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 185
pp. 2–3], and petitioner does not explain how counsel’s alternative argument was
suboptimal. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 690–91 (1984) (“[S]trategic
choices . . . are virtually unchallengeable.”).
Second, petitioner argues counsel should have challenged application of the role
adjustment under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1 and the vulnerable victim adjustment under U.S.S.G.
§ 3A1.1(b)(1) [Doc. 19 p. 25]. See U.S.S.G. §§ 3A1.1(b)(1), 3B1.1 (2018). However,
petitioner provides no explanation regarding either how his attorney’s decision not to
challenge these adjustments constituted deficient performance or how there is a reasonable
probability that the Court would not have applied the adjustments had counsel challenged
them. Regardless, the Court finds no prejudice because the Court properly applied these
adjustments based on the full record, which establishes that: (1) petitioner served in a
leading role as he directed Witham’s actions and received most of the proceeds from his
and Witham’s offenses; and (2) the crimes involved vulnerable victims as they involved
young children [See No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 197 ¶¶ 31, 35–36; Doc. 241 pp. 126–27,
216]. See United States v. Myree, 89 F. App’x 565, 566–67 (6th Cir. 2004) (finding the
district court properly applied the vulnerable victim adjustment when the offense involved

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young children held at gunpoint). Therefore, petitioner has not demonstrated counsel was
ineffective for failing to challenge these adjustments.12
5.

Waiver of Undeveloped Claims

At the end of his motion, petitioner provides yet another list containing 49
conclusory grounds for ineffective assistance of counsel [See Doc. 2 pp. 119–23]. As with
the arguments in petitioner’s other lists, every single ground in this final list is either an
argument the Court has already addressed or an argument comprised of a single, conclusory
sentence stating counsel was ineffective for an undeveloped reason.
With respect to the grounds the Court has already addressed, the Court relies on its
already-stated reasoning. With respect to the grounds not already addressed, the Court
repeats that “[a] party waives issues that he adverts to in a perfunctory manner,
unaccompanied by some effort at developed argumentation.” Thomas v. United States,
849 F.3d 669, 679 (6th Cir. 2017). The Court finds that petitioner waived the undeveloped
arguments in this final list because they are conclusory and petitioner provides no
explanation as to how each action by counsel was defective or how alternative action could
have changed the outcome.

12

Petitioner asserts and the government rebuts that appellate counsel was ineffective for
several reasons [See Doc. 13 pp. 53–56]. However, the Court sees no need to devote an entire
section addressing these arguments. To the extent petitioner challenges appellate counsel’s
effectiveness on grounds already addressed as to trial counsel, the Court relies on its reasoning as
to trial counsel’s effectiveness in holding that appellate counsel’s representation was not
ineffective. Additionally, other than petitioner’s argument that appellate counsel was ineffective
for making an erroneous concession––which the Court addressed supra note 9––petitioner’s
arguments that are specific to appellate counsel are perfunctory and therefore waived [See, e.g.,
Doc. 2 p. 31]. See Thomas v. United States, 849 F.3d 669, 679 (6th Cir. 2017).
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6.

Conclusion as to Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

For the foregoing reasons, petitioner has not demonstrated any action of counsel
constituted ineffective assistance. Therefore, all of petitioner’s claims for ineffective
assistance of counsel will be DENIED.
C.

Prosecutorial Misconduct

Petitioner argues counsel for the government committed prosecutorial misconduct
for various reasons [Doc. 2 pp. 85–104]. The Court need not discuss these specific
arguments because they are procedurally defaulted.
“Section 2255 is not a substitute for a direct appeal, and thus a defendant cannot use
it to circumvent the direct appeal process.” Regalado v. United States, 334 F.3d 520,
528 (6th Cir. 2003) (citation omitted). Therefore, with limited exceptions, claims not
asserted on direct appeal are procedurally defaulted and therefore may not be asserted via
a § 2255 motion. See Peveler v. United States, 269 F.3d 693, 698–700 (6th Cir. 2001).
However, there are exceptions to procedural default where the petitioner demonstrates
“cause and prejudice or actual innocence” as to the underlying charges. Id.
The Court finds that petitioner’s claims for prosecutorial misconduct are
procedurally defaulted and/or were previously litigated and are therefore not subject to the
Court’s review. See Lundgren v. Mitchell, 440 F.3d 754, 777–78 (6th Cir. 2006) (holding
prosecutorial misconduct claims were procedurally defaulted when the petitioner failed to
present them on direct review). The Court notes that ineffective assistance of counsel did
not cause procedural default because, as this Court recognized in a previous order, even
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petitioner’s claims that have not been previously litigated for prosecutorial misconduct are
meritless [See generally No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 199].
Consequently, petitioner’s prosecutorial misconduct claims will be DENIED.
D.

The Court’s Evidentiary Determination

Petitioner next challenges this Court’s decision to admit evidence that petitioner
“frequented a strip club, cheated on his girlfriend, embezzled from his business, and
engaged in fraudulent schemes” [Doc. 2 pp. 106–13]. Petitioner recognizes that the Sixth
Circuit found the Court’s admission of this evidence was a harmless error [Id. at 106–07].
It is axiomatic that this Court is bound by the decisions of the Sixth Circuit. See
Woods v. United States, Nos. 2:07-CV-232, 2:03-CR-69, 2011 WL 284618, at *12 (E.D.
Tenn. Jan. 25, 2011). As petitioner recognizes, the Sixth Circuit held admission of the
challenged evidence constituted a harmless error [No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 275 pp. 7–9].
The Court therefore will not and indeed cannot disrupt that decision.
Therefore, petitioner’s evidentiary challenge will be DENIED.
E.

First Step Act § 403

In petitioner’s motion to appoint counsel [Doc. 9], petitioner avers his 25-year
mandatory consecutive sentences for his § 924(c) convictions are invalid in light of § 403
of the First Step Act. The government responds that § 403 does not apply because
petitioner was sentenced before Congress enacted § 403 and § 403 does not apply
retroactively [Doc. 13 pp. 55–56, 65].

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Prior to the First Step Act, § 924(c) required mandatory minimum 25-year
consecutive terms where the defendant was convicted under § 924(c) and had at least one
other § 924(c) conviction, and even a different § 924(c) conviction in the same prosecution
qualified. United States v. Mackenzie, No. 3:00-CR-4-DJH-HBB, 2021 WL 4991516, at
*2 (W.D. Ky. Oct. 27, 2021). However, after the First Step Act, a 25-year mandatory
minimum consecutive sentence for a subsequent § 924(c) conviction applies only if the
defendant has a prior § 924(c) conviction in a prior proceeding. Id. at *3.
Regardless, only “[d]efendants sentenced after December 21, 2018, may benefit
from [§ 403;] defendants sentenced before that date cannot.” United States v. Richardson,
948 F.3d 733, 748 (6th Cir. 2020); see also First Step Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-391,
§ 403(b), 132 Stat. 5194, 5222. Here, the Court sentenced petitioner on July 18, 2017
[No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc. 203], well before December 21, 2018. Thus, § 403 provides
petitioner no basis for relief.
Therefore, petitioner’s § 403 claim will be DENIED.
F.

ACCA Enhancement Claims and Johnson

Petitioner argues the Court improperly enhanced his sentence under the ACCA
[Doc. 1 p. 14; Doc. 2 pp. 117–18; Doc. 19 pp. 24–25]. Specifically, petitioner argues his
prior convictions for robbery and attempted murder are not ACCA predicates in light of
Johnson, which held that the residual clause in 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(B)(ii) is
unconstitutionally vague [Doc. 2 pp. 117–18]. The government argues Johnson provides

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no basis for relief because petitioner was not sentenced under the residual clause [Doc. 13
p. 55].
It is true that the Court enhanced petitioner’s sentence under the ACCA as to Counts
Nine, Sixteen, and Twenty-three. But it is not clear that the Court relied on the residual
clause in imposing these enhancements such that Johnson provides a basis for relief.
The judgment only indicates the Court sentenced petitioner under § 924(e) [See
No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Doc 204 p. 2]; it does not specify whether petitioner was sentenced
under the residual clause or the still-effective force or enumerated offenses clauses.
A court should address the merits of a petitioner’s Johnson arguments only “[w]here
it is unclear which ACCA clause [the] court relied on to enhance a sentence” and the
movant shows “that the sentencing court might have relied on the residual clause.” See
Chaney v. United States, 917 F.3d 895, 899–900 (6th Cir. 2019). Where a court sentences
a defendant years after a landmark decision such as Johnson that renders unconstitutional
only a portion of a statute, it can be inferred that the court was aware of that landmark
decision and acted in accordance with it. See United States v. Jones, No. 2:15-CR-DLB-1,
2016 WL 11212438, at *1, *1 n.1 (E.D. Ky. June 20, 2016) (suggesting the defendant was
not entitled to Johnson relief because the defendant was sentenced after Johnson but
addressing the merits only “out of an abundance of caution”); see also United States v.
McElroy, 673 F. App’x 896, 897 (10th Cir. 2017) (on request for a certificate of
appealability, noting that the petitioner’s Johnson claim was meritless partially because the
petitioner was “sentenced after Johnson”).
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Here, the Court finds there is no possibility that the Court relied on the residual
clause in sentencing petitioner. The Supreme Court decided Johnson two years before
petitioner’s sentencing hearing, and given the importance of Johnson, this Court was well
aware of Johnson when it sentenced petitioner. Thus, petitioner has not shown the Court
“might have” relied on the residual clause. Therefore, the Court refuses to address the
merits of petitioner’s claims. See id.13
Accordingly, petitioner’s Johnson claims will be DENIED.
G.

Section 924(c) Claims and Davis

Petitioner argues his convictions as to Counts Two, Four, Eight, Eleven, Fifteen,
Eighteen, and Twenty-two must be vacated in light of Davis [Doc. 2 pp. 113–17; Doc. 34].
The government concedes these convictions must be vacated [Doc. 13 pp. 59–66].
Section 924(c) imposes criminal liability upon one who “uses or carries a firearm”
“during and in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime.” 18 U.S.C.
§ 924(c)(1)(A). Section 924(c)(3) defines “crime of violence” as a felony that “(A) has as
an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person or
property of another, or (B) . . . by its nature, involves a substantial risk that physical force
against the person or property of another may be used in the course of committing the

13

In Chaney, the Sixth Circuit held that the petitioner showed that the sentencing court
“might have” relied on the residual clause primarily because the petitioner had been sentenced
before (rather than after) Johnson and the record was unclear whether the petitioner was convicted
under the residual clause or the force clause. Chaney v. United States, 917 F.3d 895, 899–900 (6th
Cir. 2019). Chaney is readily distinguishable because, here, petitioner was sentenced after
Johnson. Moreover, in Chaney, the record somewhat supported that the court relied on the residual
clause. Id.
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offense.” Id. § 924(c)(3). In 2019, the Supreme Court decided Davis, where it held that
§ 924(c)(3)(B)’s residual-clause definition for “crime of violence” was unconstitutional.
United States v. Davis, 139 S. Ct. 2319, 2336 (2019). Thus, after Davis, an offense
qualifies as a “crime of violence” only if it satisfies the other provisions of § 924(c)(3).
Davis applies retroactively on collateral review; thus, petitioner’s claims are cognizable.
See generally In re Franklin, 950 F.3d 909 (6th Cir. 2020).
Turning to petitioner’s Davis claims, petitioner was convicted of Count Two under
§ 924(c) based on his underlying conviction for conspiracy to commit robbery and
extortion in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951 in Count One [No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Docs. 30,
204]. The parties recognize that conspiracy to commit robbery and extortion in violation
of § 1951 no longer qualifies as a § 924(c) predicate offense after the Sixth Circuit’s
decision in United States v. Ledbetter. 929 F.3d 338, 361 (6th Cir. 2019). Therefore, the
Court finds that petitioner’s conviction as to Count Two must be vacated.
Additionally, petitioner was convicted of Counts Eight, Fifteen, and Twenty-two
under § 924(c) based on his underlying convictions for kidnapping in Counts Seven,
Fourteen, and Twenty-one [No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Docs. 30, 204]. The parties recognize that
kidnapping no longer qualifies as a § 924(c) predicate offense after the Sixth Circuit’s
decision in Knight v. United States. 936 F.3d 495, 497–98 (6th Cir. 2019). Therefore, the
Court finds that petitioner’s convictions as to Counts Eight, Fifteen, and Twenty-two must
be vacated.

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Finally, petitioner was convicted of Counts Four and Eighteen under § 924(c) based
on his underlying convictions for attempted armed bank extortion in Counts Three and
Seventeen [No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Docs. 30, 204]. Petitioner was further convicted of Count
Eleven under § 924(c) based on his underlying conviction for armed bank extortion in
Count Ten [No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Docs. 30, 204]. While the parties have some dispute as to
petitioner’s convictions as to Counts Four, Eleven, and Eighteen, the parties ultimately
agree that these convictions must be vacated. Therefore, the Court finds that petitioner’s
convictions as to Counts Four, Eleven, and Eighteen must be vacated.14

14

Petitioner suggests his convictions as to Counts Four, Eleven, and Eighteen were for
“bank robbery” under § 2113(a) [See Doc. 34 p. 5]. Petitioner argues § 2113(a) “bank robbery” is
a single, indivisible offense under the categorical approach that can be accomplished by any one
of three listed means: (1) force and violence; (2) intimidation; and (3) extortion [Id. at 6–7]. From
there, petitioner argues the second variant––bank robbery by intimidation––does not qualify as a
“crime of violence” under § 924(c) because it criminalizes merely negligent conduct [Id. at 8].
Thus, because petitioner argues that “bank robbery” is indivisible and bank robbery by
intimidation is not a “crime of violence,” petitioner concludes that “bank robbery” as a
whole––even under the first and third variants––does not qualify as a predicate offense [Id. at 15].
The government responds that § 2113(a) is a divisible offense and cites cases from other
circuits in accord [Doc. 13 pp. 60–61]. Specifically, the government argues that “bank robbery”
occurs only by force and violence or by intimidation and that this definition of “bank robbery”
under § 2113(a) is divisible from the crime of “bank extortion” under § 2113(a) [Id. at 60–61].
The government argues that “bank robbery” under this definition remains a § 924(c) predicate
offense after Davis [Id. at 61–62]. However, the government argues that “bank extortion”
as defined is not a § 924(c) predicate. Thus, the government concedes the Court should
dismiss the § 924(c) charges because they are based on “bank extortion” rather than “bank
robbery” [Id. at 62].
Because the parties ultimately agree that petitioner’s convictions as to Counts Four, Eleven,
and Eighteen must be vacated, the Court will not address the merits of whether “bank extortion”
is divisible from “bank robbery” as the government defines them and, if so, whether petitioner’s
convictions for “bank extortion” as the government defines it constitutes a “crime of violence.”
See Allen v. Parker, 542 F. App’x 435, 436 (6th Cir. 2013) (stating that courts may accept even an
unmeritorious concession of the government in the § 2254 context); see also Maxwell v. United
States, 617 F. App’x 470, 473 (6th Cir. 2015) (same in the § 2255 context).
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In light of the foregoing, petitioner’s convictions in Counts Two, Four, Eight,
Eleven, Fifteen, Eighteen, and Twenty-two will be VACATED.
III.

Remedy
As discussed supra, petitioner is entitled to relief only insofar as his Davis claims

are concerned, and therefore, petitioner’s convictions as to Counts Two, Four, Eight,
Eleven, Fifteen, Eighteen, and Twenty-two must be vacated. While the parties agree these
convictions must be vacated, they disagree as to the proper remedy.
The government argues the Court should simply vacate these convictions and
corresponding sentences and then correct petitioner’s sentence by imposing a sentence with
terms essentially identical to those listed in the initial judgment [Doc. 13 pp. 62–64].
Petitioner avers that the Court should vacate petitioner’s entire sentence and then
resentence petitioner on all counts at a resentencing hearing [Doc. 39]. Petitioner reasons
that after the Court vacates seven of petitioner’s § 924(c) convictions, he will be guilty of
fewer total counts, and this may cause the Court to conclude a lesser sentence is appropriate
[Id.].
When a court concludes that a petitioner is entitled to § 2255 relief, the court may
“resentence him or grant a new trial or correct the sentence as may appear appropriate.”
28 U.S.C. § 2255(b). “[A] court imposing a corrected sentence will have discretion to
impose a corrected sentence based on a brief order, a hearing that resembles a de novo
sentencing proceeding, or anything in between” so long as the sentence is reasonable.
United States v. Nichols, 897 F.3d 729, 738 (6th Cir. 2018). “When the court imposes a
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corrected sentence that is largely consistent with the rationale of the original sentence, a de
novo resentencing would be largely redundant and wasteful.” Id. If the court corrects a
sentence, “the court does no more than mechanically vacate . . . unlawful convictions (and
accompanying sentences).” United States v. Stewart, No. 1:07CR289-1, 2020 WL 60194,
at *2 (N.D. Ohio Jan. 6, 2020) (omission in original) (quoting United States v. Flack, 941
F.3d 238, 241 (6th Cir. 2019)).15
The Court finds an appropriate remedy is to correct petitioner’s sentence without a
de novo resentencing and hearing. Petitioner’s offenses are extremely serious, involving
multiple instances of kidnapping adults and children and holding them at gunpoint. The
fact that seven § 924(c) counts must be vacated does not change the severe and violent
nature of petitioner’s offense conduct. See Stewart, 2020 WL 60194, at *3 (correcting the
petitioner’s sentence rather than resentencing the petitioner where, like here, the
petitioner’s offenses were “extreme––‘something pretty much out of Hollywood’––and
warranted a high[] sentence.” (citation omitted)). The Court considered in full detail at the
initial sentencing hearing the severity of petitioner’s offenses and does so again in reaching
the conclusion that a corrected sentence is appropriate [See No. 3:15-CR-177-1 Docs. 197,
205]. Therefore, the Court finds that correcting petitioner’s sentence is “consistent with
the rationale of the original sentence [and therefore] a de novo resentencing would be
largely redundant and wasteful.” See Nichols, 897 F.3d at 738.

15

The Court notes that petitioners have no right to a resentencing hearing or allocution.
Pasquarville v. United States, 130 F.3d 1220, 1223 (6th Cir. 1997).
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Accordingly, the Court will DIRECT the clerk to correct petitioner’s sentence as
stated in Part IV below.
IV.

Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, petitioner’s 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion [Doc. 1] and

petitioner’s counsel’s supplemental motion [Doc. 34] will be GRANTED in part and
DENIED in part. Petitioner’s convictions as to Counts Two, Four, Eight, Eleven, Fifteen,
Eighteen, and Twenty-two will be VACATED. The Clerk will be DIRECTED to
CORRECT petitioner’s sentence as follows:
•

Petitioner shall retain life sentences as to Counts Three, Seven, Nine, Ten,
Fourteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Twenty-one, and Twenty-three (with Counts
Nine, Sixteen, and Twenty-three to be merged) to be served concurrently;

•

Petitioner shall retain a sentence of 240 months as to Count One to be served
concurrently with the above counts;

•

Petitioner shall retain a sentence of 180 months as to Counts Five, Twelve,
and Nineteen to run concurrently with each other and the above counts; and

•

Petitioner shall be sentenced to a 60-month term of imprisonment as to Count
Six and shall retain two 25-year terms of imprisonment as to Counts Thirteen
and Twenty, all to be served consecutively to each other and the above
counts.

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Thus, in sum, petitioner’s sentence will be corrected to an aggregate term of
imprisonment of life in addition to 55 years of imprisonment, which will run consecutively
to petitioner’s other sentences.
This action will be DISMISSED. The Court will CERTIFY that any appeal from
this action would not be taken in good faith and would be totally frivolous. Therefore, this
Court will DENY petitioner leave to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal. See Fed. R.
App. P. 24. Moreover, because petitioner has not made a substantial showing of the denial
of a constitutional right and jurists of reason would not dispute the above conclusions, a
certificate of appealability SHALL NOT ISSUE. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253; Fed. R. App. P.
22(b); Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000). A separate order will enter.
ENTER:
s/ Thomas A. Varlan
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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