Appellate Case: 22-6140 Document: 010110809319 Date Filed: 02/07/2023 Page: 1 FILED United States Court of Appeals UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Tenth Circuit
FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT February 7, 2023 _________________________________ Christopher M. Wolpert Clerk of Court UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff - Appellee,
v. No. 22-6140 (D.C. No. 5:07-CR-00154-D-4) BARRY DEAN BISCHOF, (W.D. Okla.)
Defendant - Appellant. _________________________________
ORDER AND JUDGMENT* _________________________________
Before MORITZ, BRISCOE, and CARSON, Circuit Judges. _________________________________
Barry Bischof, a federal prisoner proceeding pro se,1 appeals the district
court’s order denying his motion for compassionate release under 18 U.S.C.
§ 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). For the reasons explained below, we affirm.
* After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist in the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument. This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. But it may be cited for its persuasive value. See Fed. R. App. P. 32.1(a); 10th Cir. R. 32.1(A). 1 We construe Bischof’s pro se filings liberally, “but we do not act as his advocate.” United States v. Griffith, 928 F.3d 855, 864 n.1 (10th Cir. 2019). Appellate Case: 22-6140 Document: 010110809319 Date Filed: 02/07/2023 Page: 2
Background
In 2007, a jury convicted Bischof of conspiring to impede a federal officer, in
violation of 18 U.S.C. § 372, and mailing threatening communications with the intent
to extort a release from prison, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 876(d). In the underlying
scheme, Bischof and his coconspirators—most of whom were inmates at a federal
correctional institution in Oklahoma—sent threatening letters to federal officials
asserting copyrights in their names and demanding exorbitant sums of money based
on the officials’ use of the inmates’ names.2 In furtherance of this endeavor, the
conspirators researched assets held by these federal officials, attempted to file liens
against such assets based on the unpaid copyright invoices, and attempted to seize the
assets using a collections agency. The conspirators ultimately aimed to use their
leverage over these assets to negotiate their release from prison.
For these offenses, the district court sentenced Bischof to 14 years in prison
and three years of supervised release. Bischof’s attempts to appeal were dismissed as
untimely, as was his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion. See United States v. Bischof, 389 F.
App’x 864, 866 (10th Cir. 2010).
In June 2020, Bischof filed a counseled motion for compassionate release
under § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). The government opposed Bischof’s motion. The district
court agreed that Bischof had shown extraordinary and compelling circumstances
based on the combination of his age (73 years old), his multiple health conditions,
2 Bischof was serving a 25-year sentence for a variety of 1993 drug and gun convictions. 2 Appellate Case: 22-6140 Document: 010110809319 Date Filed: 02/07/2023 Page: 3
and the COVID-19 pandemic. But it ultimately denied relief, concluding that the
sentencing factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) did not support reducing Bischof’s
sentence. In so doing, the district court discounted Bischof’s rehabilitative success
against the nature and seriousness of Bischof’s convictions, which stemmed from a
“civil assault against federal officials that involved filing liens on their property in a
scheme to extract a release from prison.” R. vol. 1, 288. It also noted Bischof’s
disruptive conduct during the criminal proceedings, including refusing to speak with
his attorney and filing numerous pro se documents. The district court concluded that
the nature of Bischof’s convictions and his disruptive conduct demonstrated
antigovernment views and antisocial characteristics. And importantly, it noted,
Bischof had served less than six years of his 14-year sentence, less than even the low
end of his sentencing range. Overall, the district court concluded, “a prison sentence
longer than [Bischof] has served to date is necessary to reflect the seriousness of his
crime, promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, and afford adequate
deterrence to criminal conduct.” Id. It later denied reconsideration.
In July 2022, Bischof filed a second motion for compassionate release, this
time proceeding pro se. The district court acknowledged that in the intervening years,
Bischof had aged two more years, experienced additional health problems, completed
additional educational courses, and been assessed as having a low risk of recidivism.
Bischof had also served two more years of his 14-year sentence, bringing him beyond
the halfway mark. But the district court concluded that “these changes in
circumstances do not materially alter the sentencing calculus that resulted in the
3 Appellate Case: 22-6140 Document: 010110809319 Date Filed: 02/07/2023 Page: 4
denial of [Bischof’s] prior motion.” Id. at 347. Incorporating its prior order, it
accordingly denied Bischof’s second compassionate-release motion.
Bischof appeals.3
Analysis
“We review a district court’s order denying relief on a § 3582(c)(1)(A) motion
for abuse of discretion.” United States v. Hemmelgarn, 15 F.4th 1027, 1031 (10th
Cir. 2021). “A district court abuses its discretion when it relies on an incorrect
conclusion of law or a clearly erroneous finding of fact.” Id. (quoting United States v.
Battle, 706 F.3d 1313, 1317 (10th Cir. 2013)).
Bischof argues that the district court abused its discretion by relying on facts
not appropriately considered under § 3553(a). In particular, he faults the district court
for relying on his refusal to speak to his attorney and his filing of pro se documents,
asserting that such conduct stemmed from a conflict with his attorney and was an
attempt to “[d]efend[] his rights.” Aplt. Br. 3. But as the government points out, the
record of the underlying proceedings demonstrates that Bischof’s behavior was
disruptive. For instance, he refused to answer questions from the district court at
sentencing, and when given the opportunity to address the court about an appropriate
sentence, he instead provided a confusing and unrelated statement about debts and
bonds. And when imposing the sentence, the district court commented that Bischof’s
“demeanor in the courtroom throughout these proceedings . . . suggests an attitude of
3 The district court later denied Bischof’s motion for reconsideration, but Bischof did not appeal that ruling.
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Appellate Case: 22-6140 Document: 010110809319 Date Filed: 02/07/2023 Page: 1 FILED United States Court of Appeals UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Tenth Circuit
FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT February 7, 2023 _________________________________ Christopher M. Wolpert Clerk of Court UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff - Appellee,
v. No. 22-6140 (D.C. No. 5:07-CR-00154-D-4) BARRY DEAN BISCHOF, (W.D. Okla.)
Defendant - Appellant. _________________________________
ORDER AND JUDGMENT* _________________________________
Before MORITZ, BRISCOE, and CARSON, Circuit Judges. _________________________________
Barry Bischof, a federal prisoner proceeding pro se,1 appeals the district
court’s order denying his motion for compassionate release under 18 U.S.C.
§ 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). For the reasons explained below, we affirm.
* After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist in the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument. This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. But it may be cited for its persuasive value. See Fed. R. App. P. 32.1(a); 10th Cir. R. 32.1(A). 1 We construe Bischof’s pro se filings liberally, “but we do not act as his advocate.” United States v. Griffith, 928 F.3d 855, 864 n.1 (10th Cir. 2019). Appellate Case: 22-6140 Document: 010110809319 Date Filed: 02/07/2023 Page: 2
Background
In 2007, a jury convicted Bischof of conspiring to impede a federal officer, in
violation of 18 U.S.C. § 372, and mailing threatening communications with the intent
to extort a release from prison, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 876(d). In the underlying
scheme, Bischof and his coconspirators—most of whom were inmates at a federal
correctional institution in Oklahoma—sent threatening letters to federal officials
asserting copyrights in their names and demanding exorbitant sums of money based
on the officials’ use of the inmates’ names.2 In furtherance of this endeavor, the
conspirators researched assets held by these federal officials, attempted to file liens
against such assets based on the unpaid copyright invoices, and attempted to seize the
assets using a collections agency. The conspirators ultimately aimed to use their
leverage over these assets to negotiate their release from prison.
For these offenses, the district court sentenced Bischof to 14 years in prison
and three years of supervised release. Bischof’s attempts to appeal were dismissed as
untimely, as was his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion. See United States v. Bischof, 389 F.
App’x 864, 866 (10th Cir. 2010).
In June 2020, Bischof filed a counseled motion for compassionate release
under § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). The government opposed Bischof’s motion. The district
court agreed that Bischof had shown extraordinary and compelling circumstances
based on the combination of his age (73 years old), his multiple health conditions,
2 Bischof was serving a 25-year sentence for a variety of 1993 drug and gun convictions. 2 Appellate Case: 22-6140 Document: 010110809319 Date Filed: 02/07/2023 Page: 3
and the COVID-19 pandemic. But it ultimately denied relief, concluding that the
sentencing factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) did not support reducing Bischof’s
sentence. In so doing, the district court discounted Bischof’s rehabilitative success
against the nature and seriousness of Bischof’s convictions, which stemmed from a
“civil assault against federal officials that involved filing liens on their property in a
scheme to extract a release from prison.” R. vol. 1, 288. It also noted Bischof’s
disruptive conduct during the criminal proceedings, including refusing to speak with
his attorney and filing numerous pro se documents. The district court concluded that
the nature of Bischof’s convictions and his disruptive conduct demonstrated
antigovernment views and antisocial characteristics. And importantly, it noted,
Bischof had served less than six years of his 14-year sentence, less than even the low
end of his sentencing range. Overall, the district court concluded, “a prison sentence
longer than [Bischof] has served to date is necessary to reflect the seriousness of his
crime, promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, and afford adequate
deterrence to criminal conduct.” Id. It later denied reconsideration.
In July 2022, Bischof filed a second motion for compassionate release, this
time proceeding pro se. The district court acknowledged that in the intervening years,
Bischof had aged two more years, experienced additional health problems, completed
additional educational courses, and been assessed as having a low risk of recidivism.
Bischof had also served two more years of his 14-year sentence, bringing him beyond
the halfway mark. But the district court concluded that “these changes in
circumstances do not materially alter the sentencing calculus that resulted in the
3 Appellate Case: 22-6140 Document: 010110809319 Date Filed: 02/07/2023 Page: 4
denial of [Bischof’s] prior motion.” Id. at 347. Incorporating its prior order, it
accordingly denied Bischof’s second compassionate-release motion.
Bischof appeals.3
Analysis
“We review a district court’s order denying relief on a § 3582(c)(1)(A) motion
for abuse of discretion.” United States v. Hemmelgarn, 15 F.4th 1027, 1031 (10th
Cir. 2021). “A district court abuses its discretion when it relies on an incorrect
conclusion of law or a clearly erroneous finding of fact.” Id. (quoting United States v.
Battle, 706 F.3d 1313, 1317 (10th Cir. 2013)).
Bischof argues that the district court abused its discretion by relying on facts
not appropriately considered under § 3553(a). In particular, he faults the district court
for relying on his refusal to speak to his attorney and his filing of pro se documents,
asserting that such conduct stemmed from a conflict with his attorney and was an
attempt to “[d]efend[] his rights.” Aplt. Br. 3. But as the government points out, the
record of the underlying proceedings demonstrates that Bischof’s behavior was
disruptive. For instance, he refused to answer questions from the district court at
sentencing, and when given the opportunity to address the court about an appropriate
sentence, he instead provided a confusing and unrelated statement about debts and
bonds. And when imposing the sentence, the district court commented that Bischof’s
“demeanor in the courtroom throughout these proceedings . . . suggests an attitude of
3 The district court later denied Bischof’s motion for reconsideration, but Bischof did not appeal that ruling. 4 Appellate Case: 22-6140 Document: 010110809319 Date Filed: 02/07/2023 Page: 5
disrespect for the law.” R. vol. 1, 53–54. Thus, regardless of Bischof’s subjective
characterization of his conduct in the underlying proceedings, the district court did
not abuse its discretion in relying on that conduct in part when considering “the
history and characteristics of the defendant” and the need “to promote respect for the
law.”4 § 3553(a)(1), (2)(A).
Bischof next contends that “[t]he [d]istrict [c]ourt abused its discretion by
improperly bolstering the limited factual incidents” underlying the denial of
compassionate release. Aplt. Br. 3. In support, he notes that his crimes of conviction
“are relatively less ser[]ious offenses compared to . . . violent, sexually oriented,
robbery and other offenses.” Id. at 4. He further faults the district court’s
characterization of his convictions as a “civil assault,” arguing that his conduct was
“a misguided but illegal attempt . . . to challenge the sentence[] [he] was serving.” Id.
But again, Bischof’s subjective characterization of the seriousness and nature of his
offenses does not establish that the district court abused its discretion in viewing
those matters differently. Indeed, when denying Bischof’s first compassionate-release
motion, the district court noted that Bischof “largely ignore[d] the nature and
seriousness of his criminal conduct” and failed to mention “the anti[]government
views that marked his criminal offense or his past anti[]social behavior.” R. vol. 1,
288. To be sure, Bischof attached a short apology to his second motion, but the
4 Bischof also asserts that the district court erred by relying on Bischof’s “mental defect/disability.” Aplt. Br. 3. But nothing in the district court’s order references any such defect or disability; the district court merely described Bischof’s behavior. 5 Appellate Case: 22-6140 Document: 010110809319 Date Filed: 02/07/2023 Page: 6
district court did not abuse its discretion in disregarding Bischof’s general apology in
light of Bischof’s overall conduct.
At bottom, Bischof essentially picks and chooses purportedly problematic
features of the district court’s analysis. But a sentencing court “need only set forth
enough to satisfy the appellate court that [it] has considered the parties’ arguments
and has a reasoned basis for exercising [its] own legal decision[-]making authority.”
United States v. Hald, 8 F.4th 932, 948 (10th Cir. 2021) (quoting United States v.
Chavez-Meza, 138 S. Ct. 1959, 1964 (2018)). The order here clears this low bar. And
to the extent that Bischof asks us to independently reevaluate the § 3553(a) factors in
a light more favorable to him, doing so “is beyond the ambit of our review.” United
States v. Lawless, 979 F.3d 849, 856 (10th Cir. 2020); see also United States v.
Williams, 848 F. App’x 810, 813 (10th Cir. 2021) (“It is not our place to reweigh the
factors and come to a different conclusion than the district court . . . .”).5 “Because
the weighing of the § 3553(a) factors is committed to the discretion of the district
court, we cannot reverse ‘unless we have a definite and firm conviction that the lower
court made a clear error of judgment or exceeded the bounds of permissible choice in
the circumstances.’” Hald, 8 F.4th at 949–50 (quoting United States v. Chavez-Meza,
854 F.3d 655, 659 (10th Cir. 2017), aff’d, 138 S. Ct. 1959). We have no such
conviction here. And we see no error of judgment in the district court’s conclusion
that the just over eight years Bischof has served of his 14-year sentence is not
5 We cite unpublished cases for their persuasive value. See Fed. R. App. P. 32.1; 10th Cir. R. 32.1(A). 6 Appellate Case: 22-6140 Document: 010110809319 Date Filed: 02/07/2023 Page: 7
sufficient to reflect the seriousness of his crimes, to promote respect for the law, to
provide just punishment, and to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct.
Conclusion
Finding no abuse of discretion in the district court’s balancing of the § 3553(a)
sentencing factors, we affirm. Given this outcome, we deny Bischof’s motions
seeking appointed counsel. See United States v. Olden, 296 F. App’x 671, 674 (10th
Cir. 2008) (explaining that there is no right to counsel in § 3582(c) proceedings);
United States v. Campos, 630 F. App’x 813, 816 (10th Cir. 2015) (denying motion to
appoint counsel in appeal from denial of compassionate release after concluding
defendant’s arguments lacked merit). We also deny his motion for judgment on the
pleadings.
Entered for the Court
Nancy L. Moritz Circuit Judge