United States v. Charles Axtell

532 F. App'x 665

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Decided: June 25, 2013
• Docket: 12-30067
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Charles William Axtell appeals pro se from the district court’s order denying his second 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) motion for reduction of sentence and the order denying his motion for reconsideration. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.

Axtell contends that he is entitled to a sentence reduction because the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 (“FSA”) applies retroactively to reduce the mandatory minimum sentence imposed for his crack cocaine conviction and because subsequent amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines lowered the applicable sentencing Guidelines range. We review de novo whether the district court had authority to modify a defendant’s sentence under section 3582(c)(2). See United, States v. Austin, 676 F.3d 924, 926 (9th Cir.2012).

Axtell’s 120-month sentence was the statutory mandatory minimum at the time of sentencing. See 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A) (2005). Because the FSA’s reduced mandatory mínimums do not apply to defendants sentenced before its effective date, a reduction in Axtell’s sentence would not be consistent with the policy statements issued by the Sentencing Commission, and the district court therefore lacked authority to modify Axtell’s sentence. See 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2); U.S.S.G § 1B1.10 cmt. n. 1(A); United States v. Augustine, 712 F.3d 1290, 1295 (9th Cir.2013). Accordingly, the district court properly denied Axtell’s motions.

AFFIRMED.

** This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.