Batiste v. United States of America

Filing 3

MEMORANDUM OPINION regarding petitioner's claims. Signed by Judge Thad Heartfield on 7/10/07. (bjc, )

Batiste v. United States of America

Doc. 3

Case 1:07-cv-00463-TH-KFG

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Filed 07/10/2007

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS BEAUMONT DIVISION REGINALD TROY BATISTE VS. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA § § § CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:07cv463

MEMORANDUM OPINION Movant Reginald Troy Batiste, proceeding pro se, filed this motion to vacate, set aside or correct sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Factual Background In 2006, pursuant to a plea of guilty entered in accordance with a written plea agreement, movant was convicted of possession of more than 50 grams of crack cocaine within 1000 feet of a public school with the intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 860, and possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). was sentenced to 168 months confinement. his conviction or sentence. Grounds for Review Movant asserts he received ineffective assistance of counsel because counsel: (a) failed to argue the government committed Movant did not appeal He

misconduct by using sentencing entrapment to establish a higher maximum sentence; (b) failed to argue for a downward departure at sentencing; (c) failed to file a motion to suppress or attempt to obtain a conditional plea agreement permitting him to appeal the denial of a motion to suppress and (d) failed to investigate and

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Case 1:07-cv-00463-TH-KFG

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argue that the government "manufactured" the 1000 feet jurisdictional element to increase his sentence. Analysis The tenth paragraph of movant's written plea agreement provides as follows: Except as otherwise provided herein, Defendant expressly waives the right to appeal his/her conviction and sentence on all grounds. Defendant further agrees not to contest his/her sentence in any post-conviction proceeding, including, but not limited to a proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Defendant, however, reserves the right to appeal the following: (a) the failure of the Court, after accepting this agreement, to impose a sentence in accordance with the terms of this agreement; and (b) a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel that affects the validity of this waiver. A defendant may, as part of a valid plea agreement, waive his statutory right to appeal his conviction on direct appeal and under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, if the waiver is knowing and voluntary. United States v. Wilkes, 20 F.3d 651 (5th Cir. 1994); United States v. Melancon, 972 F.2d 566 (5th Cir. 1992). The plea

agreement will be upheld where the record clearly shows the defendant read and understood it and that he raised no question regarding any waiver-of-appeal issue. 18 F.3d 290 (5th Cir. 1994). In this case, movant does not contend that he did not read or understand the portion of his plea agreement relating to the waiver of his right to appeal. Nor does he contend he raised any United States v. Portillo,

questions regarding the waiver-of-appeal provision of the plea agreement. upheld. 2 Accordingly, the waiver-of-appeal provision should be

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In United States v. White, 307 F.3d 336, 343 (5th Cir. 2002), the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit stated that while a knowing and voluntary waiver normally applies to a ground for review based upon ineffective assistance of counsel, such a waiver does not apply to an ineffective assistance of counsel claim "when the claimed assistance directly affected the validity of that waiver or the plea itself." forth above, movant raises certain claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. However, movant's claims of ineffective As set

assistance of counsel do not call into question the validity of movant's waiver or his plea itself. assert his claims in this proceeding. Conclusion For the reasons set forth above, this motion to vacate, set aside or correct sentence is without merit. A final judgment Accordingly, movant may not

shall be entered denying the motion to vacate.
SIGNED this the 10 day of July, 2007.

____________________________ Thad Heartfield United States District Judge

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