States v. Cobb

110 F. Supp. 3d 591, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 83076
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Pennsylvania
DecidedJune 24, 2015
DocketCriminal Action No. 09-733-01; Civil Action No. 13-4754
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 110 F. Supp. 3d 591 (States v. Cobb) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
States v. Cobb, 110 F. Supp. 3d 591, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 83076 (E.D. Pa. 2015).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

EDUARDO C. ROBRENO, District Judge.

Petitioner Jonathan Cobb is a federal prisoner incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Dix (New Jersey), serving a sentence of incarceration of 288 months (24 years) for drug-related offenses. Cobb filed a pro se petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to vacate, set aside, or correct his sentence, making several claims — including that he received ineffective assistance of counsel at the plea bargaining stage. The Court granted him an evidentiary hearing on that claim and ap[593]*593pointed counsel to represent him. Now, following the evidentiary hearing and additional briefing, the motion is ripe for disposition. For the reasons that follow, the Court will grant the § 2255 petition on this claim, and order further briefing to determine what kind of relief Petitioner is owed.

I.BACKGROUND

Petitioner was arraigned on the First Superseding Indictment, ECF No. 81, on April 29, 2010, for one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) & (b)(1)(B), and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) & (b)(1)(B), and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2. At his April 29, 2010 arraignment, Petitioner entered a plea of not guilty.

Following a five-day trial, a jury convicted Petitioner and co-conspirator David Cobb (Petitioner’s brother) on all counts.1 At sentencing, the Court fixed Petitioner’s Guidelines range at 130 to 162 months of custody. Sentencing Hr’g Tr. 45:14-19, ECF No. 210. The Court granted the Government’s motion for a variance, and Petitioner was sentenced to 288 months of imprisonment, 8 years supervised release, and a $2,500 fine. District Court Judgment 1, ECF No. 186. On November 10, 2010, Petitioner filed a Notice of Appeal through Counsél. Pet.’s Notice of Appeal 1, ECF No. 186. On May 25, 2012, the Third Circuit affirmed the decision of the District Court as to both Petitioner and David Cobb. Third Circuit Judgment 2, ECF No. 215.2

Petitioner claims in his pro se § 2255 Petition that counsel was ineffective for failing to:

1. Advise Petitioner of 21 U.S.C. § 851 notice and challenge the notice;
2. Challenge the Government’s affidavit in support of wiretap. evidence;
3. Advise Petitioner of the advantages of entering a guilty plea; and
4. Provide real notice to Petitioner of the conspiracy charge.

He also makes a supplemental claim of a Sixth Amendment Due Process violation based on Alleyne v. United States, — U.S. -, 133 S.Ct. 2151, 186 L.Ed.2d 314 (2013).

On September 9, 2014, the Court entered an Order, ECF No. 241, with accompanying Memorandum, ECF No.. 240, granting Petitioner an evidentiary hearing as to his claim of ineffective assistance due to counsel’s failure to inform Petitioner of the options and benefits of entering an open plea. The Court denied the balance of Petitioner’s § 2255 claims. United States v. Cobb, No. 09-733-01, 2014 WL 4433868 (E.D.Pa. Sept. 9, 2014).

On November 7, 2014, the Court held an evidentiary hearing, at ■ which Petitioner was represented by Caroline Goldner Cin-[594]*594quanto, Esquire. Petitioner and Petitioner’s trial counsel, William T. Cannon, testified. Following the hearing, Petitioner filed a counseled supplemental brief in support of his § 2255 Petition. ECF No. 251. The Government filed a Response, ECF No. 252, and Petitioner filed a Reply Brief, ECF No. 258. Petitioner also filed a Motion to Amend his § 2255 Petition, arguing that his claim that his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by grossly miscalculating his sentencing exposure relates back to his original claim. The Government did not oppose the motion, and the Court granted it. ECF No. 259.

Petitioner’s remaining claim is now ripe for disposition.

II. LEGAL STANDARD

A federal prisoner “claiming the right to be released ... may move the court which imposed the sentence to vacate, set aside or correct the sentence.” 28 U.S.C. § 2255(a). Such a prisoner may attack his sentence on any of the following grounds: (1) the sentence was imposed in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States; (2) the court was without jurisdiction to impose the sentence; or (3) the sentence was in excess of the maxi- . mum authorized by law. Id. An evidentiary hearing on the merits of a prisoner’s claims is necessary unless it is clear from the record, viewed in.the light most favorable to the petitioner, that he is not entitled to relief. Id. § 2255(b). The court is to construe a prisoner’s pro se pleading liberally, Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94, 127 S.Ct. 2197, 167 L.Ed.2d 1081 (2007) (per curiam), but “vague and conclusory allegations contained in a. § 2255 petition may be disposed of without further investigation,” United States v. Thomas, 221 F.3d 430, 437 (3d Cir.2000).

A § 2255 petition may be based upon a violation of the Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 686, 697, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). By claiming his counsel was ineffective, a defendant attacks “the fundamental fairness of the proceeding.” Id. at 697, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Therefore, as “fundamental fairness is the central concern of the writ of habeas corpus,” “[t]he principles governing ineffectiveness should apply in federal collateral proceedings as they do on direct appeal or in motions for a new trial.” Id. Those principles require a convicted defendant to establish both that (1) his counsel’s performance was deficient, and (2) the deficient performance prejudiced his defense. Id. at 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052; Holland v. Horn, 519 F.3d 107, 120 (3d Cir.2008).

To prove deficient performance, a petitioner must show that his “counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.” Id. (quoting Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 104, 131 S.Ct. 770, 178 L.Ed.2d 624 (2011)). The court’s “scrutiny of counsel’s performance must be highly deferential.” Douglas v. Cathel, 456 F.3d 403, 420 (3d Cir.2006) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. 2052).

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

United States v. David Cobb
Third Circuit, 2025
People v. Hill
2023 IL App (1st) 221062 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 2023)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
110 F. Supp. 3d 591, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 83076, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/states-v-cobb-paed-2015.