USCA11 Case: 20-14432 Date Filed: 09/21/2021 Page: 1 of 6
[DO NOT PUBLISH]
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT ________________________
No. 20-14432 Non-Argument Calendar ________________________
D.C. Docket No. 1:91-cr-00655-WPD-1
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
CHARLES CLARK, a.k.a. Bunky Brown,
Defendant-Appellant.
________________________
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida ________________________
(September 21, 2021)
Before JORDAN, LAGOA, and BRASHER, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM: USCA11 Case: 20-14432 Date Filed: 09/21/2021 Page: 2 of 6
Charles Clark, a 70-year-old federal prisoner proceeding pro se, appeals the
district court’s denial of his motion for compassionate release under 18 U.S.C.
§ 3582(c)(1)(A), as amended by Section 603(b) of the First Step Act of 2018. For
the reasons discussed below, we affirm.
In 1992, a federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment charging Mr.
Clark with conspiring to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute, in violation of
21 U.S.C. § 846 (Count 1); and possessing five or more kilograms of cocaine with
the intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2 (Count
2). A jury convicted Mr. Clark on both counts.
Based on his total offense level of 43 and criminal history category of III, his
then-mandatory Sentencing Guidelines range was life imprisonment. The statutory
term of imprisonment was also life under 21 U.S.C. § 851, pursuant to the
government’s notice of seeking an enhanced penalty. Mr. Clark objected to the base
offense level at sentencing, arguing that the amount of cocaine was calculated
incorrectly. The district court overruled his objections and sentenced him to life
imprisonment. Mr. Clark appealed, and we affirmed his convictions and sentences.
See United States v. Clark, 84 F.3d 436 (11th Cir. 1996) (table).
Mr. Clark filed the instant pro se motion for compassionate release pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i), requesting that the district court reduce his prison
sentence based on his individual circumstances and the COVID-19 pandemic. He
2 USCA11 Case: 20-14432 Date Filed: 09/21/2021 Page: 3 of 6
argued that, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, his underlying medical conditions
constituted an extraordinary and compelling circumstance justifying his release from
incarceration and the imposition of home confinement. He asserted that he suffered
from a history of prostate cancer, hypertension, glaucoma, shortness of breath, and
congestive heart failure.
The government responded that the district court should deny without
prejudice Mr. Clark’s motion for failure to exhaust administrative remedies. It
argued that, though Mr. Clark had been denied compassionate release by his warden,
his administrative request was based on his age and existing medical conditions, and
not on the risks associated with COVID-19 (one of the bases for the current motion).
On the merits, the government conceded that Mr. Clark’s medical
conditions—specifically, prostate cancer, cardiomyopathy, and type 2 diabetes—
could constitute extraordinary and compelling reasons for a sentence reduction in
light of COVID-19. But it argued that denial of the motion was appropriate because
Mr. Clark had failed to demonstrate that he was not a danger to the safety of the
others or the community or that the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors justified
compassionate release. The government noted that the district court at sentencing
had specifically considered the danger that Mr. Clark posed to the community and
argued that there was no basis for the court to find that he was no longer a danger.
The government further argued that Mr. Clark had not provided a proposed release
3 USCA11 Case: 20-14432 Date Filed: 09/21/2021 Page: 4 of 6
plan that would permit the court to assess his risk of contracting COVID-19 if
released, which it averred was also a sufficient ground to deny the motion.
The district court denied Mr. Clark’s motion for compassionate release.
Although the court noted the government’s concession Mr. Clark’s medical
conditions rose to the level of extraordinary and compelling circumstances, it
determined that relief would not promote respect for the law or act as a deterrent and
found that Mr. Clark “was properly described as a danger to the community when
sentenced.” Mr. Clark filed a timely motion for reconsideration, which the district
court also denied.1
On appeal, Mr. Clark argues that the district court erred by improperly
considering the § 3553(a) factors because his medical conditions constitute
compelling and extraordinary reasons exist for his release due to COVID-19. Mr.
Clark also contends that the court erred in finding he was a danger to the community
by relying solely on the determination at sentencing that he was the leader of a
criminal organization with five or more members.
1 In his motion for reconsideration, Mr. Clark raised a new equal protection argument for the first time. Because the newly-raised equal protection claim was not properly before the district court in a motion brought pursuant to § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i) or in a motion for reconsideration—which cannot be used to raise new arguments—we decline to address it here. See, e.g., In re Kellogg, 197 F.3d 1116, 1119 (11th Cir. 1999) (“The only grounds for granting [a Rule 59(e)] motion are newly-discovered evidence or manifest errors of law or fact.”); Michael Linet, Inc. v. Village of Wellington, 408 F.3d 757, 763 (11th Cir. 2005) (holding that parties “cannot use a Rule 59(e) motion to relitigate old matters, raise argument or present evidence that could have been raised prior to the entry of judgment”). 4 USCA11 Case: 20-14432 Date Filed: 09/21/2021 Page: 5 of 6
We review for abuse of discretion a district court’s denial of a prisoner’s
§ 3582(c)(1)(A) motion. See United States v. Harris, 989 F.3d 908, 911 (11th Cir.
2021). A district court abuses its discretion if it applies an incorrect legal standard,
follows improper procedures in making the determination, or makes clearly
erroneous factual findings. Id. at 911–12.
It is well established that a district court has no inherent authority to modify a
defendant’s sentence and may do so “only when authorized by a statute or rule.”
United States v. Puentes, 803 F.3d 597, 605–06 (11th Cir. 2015). But under Section
603(b) of the First Step Act a court may reduce a defendant’s sentence if, after
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
USCA11 Case: 20-14432 Date Filed: 09/21/2021 Page: 1 of 6
[DO NOT PUBLISH]
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT ________________________
No. 20-14432 Non-Argument Calendar ________________________
D.C. Docket No. 1:91-cr-00655-WPD-1
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
CHARLES CLARK, a.k.a. Bunky Brown,
Defendant-Appellant.
________________________
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida ________________________
(September 21, 2021)
Before JORDAN, LAGOA, and BRASHER, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM: USCA11 Case: 20-14432 Date Filed: 09/21/2021 Page: 2 of 6
Charles Clark, a 70-year-old federal prisoner proceeding pro se, appeals the
district court’s denial of his motion for compassionate release under 18 U.S.C.
§ 3582(c)(1)(A), as amended by Section 603(b) of the First Step Act of 2018. For
the reasons discussed below, we affirm.
In 1992, a federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment charging Mr.
Clark with conspiring to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute, in violation of
21 U.S.C. § 846 (Count 1); and possessing five or more kilograms of cocaine with
the intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2 (Count
2). A jury convicted Mr. Clark on both counts.
Based on his total offense level of 43 and criminal history category of III, his
then-mandatory Sentencing Guidelines range was life imprisonment. The statutory
term of imprisonment was also life under 21 U.S.C. § 851, pursuant to the
government’s notice of seeking an enhanced penalty. Mr. Clark objected to the base
offense level at sentencing, arguing that the amount of cocaine was calculated
incorrectly. The district court overruled his objections and sentenced him to life
imprisonment. Mr. Clark appealed, and we affirmed his convictions and sentences.
See United States v. Clark, 84 F.3d 436 (11th Cir. 1996) (table).
Mr. Clark filed the instant pro se motion for compassionate release pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i), requesting that the district court reduce his prison
sentence based on his individual circumstances and the COVID-19 pandemic. He
2 USCA11 Case: 20-14432 Date Filed: 09/21/2021 Page: 3 of 6
argued that, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, his underlying medical conditions
constituted an extraordinary and compelling circumstance justifying his release from
incarceration and the imposition of home confinement. He asserted that he suffered
from a history of prostate cancer, hypertension, glaucoma, shortness of breath, and
congestive heart failure.
The government responded that the district court should deny without
prejudice Mr. Clark’s motion for failure to exhaust administrative remedies. It
argued that, though Mr. Clark had been denied compassionate release by his warden,
his administrative request was based on his age and existing medical conditions, and
not on the risks associated with COVID-19 (one of the bases for the current motion).
On the merits, the government conceded that Mr. Clark’s medical
conditions—specifically, prostate cancer, cardiomyopathy, and type 2 diabetes—
could constitute extraordinary and compelling reasons for a sentence reduction in
light of COVID-19. But it argued that denial of the motion was appropriate because
Mr. Clark had failed to demonstrate that he was not a danger to the safety of the
others or the community or that the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors justified
compassionate release. The government noted that the district court at sentencing
had specifically considered the danger that Mr. Clark posed to the community and
argued that there was no basis for the court to find that he was no longer a danger.
The government further argued that Mr. Clark had not provided a proposed release
3 USCA11 Case: 20-14432 Date Filed: 09/21/2021 Page: 4 of 6
plan that would permit the court to assess his risk of contracting COVID-19 if
released, which it averred was also a sufficient ground to deny the motion.
The district court denied Mr. Clark’s motion for compassionate release.
Although the court noted the government’s concession Mr. Clark’s medical
conditions rose to the level of extraordinary and compelling circumstances, it
determined that relief would not promote respect for the law or act as a deterrent and
found that Mr. Clark “was properly described as a danger to the community when
sentenced.” Mr. Clark filed a timely motion for reconsideration, which the district
court also denied.1
On appeal, Mr. Clark argues that the district court erred by improperly
considering the § 3553(a) factors because his medical conditions constitute
compelling and extraordinary reasons exist for his release due to COVID-19. Mr.
Clark also contends that the court erred in finding he was a danger to the community
by relying solely on the determination at sentencing that he was the leader of a
criminal organization with five or more members.
1 In his motion for reconsideration, Mr. Clark raised a new equal protection argument for the first time. Because the newly-raised equal protection claim was not properly before the district court in a motion brought pursuant to § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i) or in a motion for reconsideration—which cannot be used to raise new arguments—we decline to address it here. See, e.g., In re Kellogg, 197 F.3d 1116, 1119 (11th Cir. 1999) (“The only grounds for granting [a Rule 59(e)] motion are newly-discovered evidence or manifest errors of law or fact.”); Michael Linet, Inc. v. Village of Wellington, 408 F.3d 757, 763 (11th Cir. 2005) (holding that parties “cannot use a Rule 59(e) motion to relitigate old matters, raise argument or present evidence that could have been raised prior to the entry of judgment”). 4 USCA11 Case: 20-14432 Date Filed: 09/21/2021 Page: 5 of 6
We review for abuse of discretion a district court’s denial of a prisoner’s
§ 3582(c)(1)(A) motion. See United States v. Harris, 989 F.3d 908, 911 (11th Cir.
2021). A district court abuses its discretion if it applies an incorrect legal standard,
follows improper procedures in making the determination, or makes clearly
erroneous factual findings. Id. at 911–12.
It is well established that a district court has no inherent authority to modify a
defendant’s sentence and may do so “only when authorized by a statute or rule.”
United States v. Puentes, 803 F.3d 597, 605–06 (11th Cir. 2015). But under Section
603(b) of the First Step Act a court may reduce a defendant’s sentence if, after
considering the § 3553(a) factors to the extent they are applicable, it finds that
extraordinary and compelling reasons warrant such a reduction and that a reduction
is consistent with applicable policy statements issued by the Sentencing
Commission. See 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A). The applicable policy statement is
found in U.S.S.G. § 1B1.13, and we have held that a sentence reduction for
compassionate release must be consistent with that statement. See United States v.
Bryant, 996 F.3d 1243, 1251-62 (11th Cir. 2021).
The commentary to § 1B1.13 states that extraordinary and compelling reasons
exist under certain circumstances, provided that the court determines that the
defendant is not a danger to the safety of any other person or to the community, as
provided in 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g). See § 1B1.13, comment. (n.1). A supported
5 USCA11 Case: 20-14432 Date Filed: 09/21/2021 Page: 6 of 6
finding of dangerousness, therefore, is sufficient for denial of a compassionate
release motion.
Here, the district court did not abuse its discretion when it denied the motion
for compassionate release. First, the court found that Mr. Clark was still a danger to
the safety of others or the community, and we see no reversible error in this regard.
Second, the court applied the correct legal standard and made it clear in its written
order that it had considered the § 3553(a) factors.
We affirm the denial of Mr. Clark’s motion for compassionate release. 2
AFFIRMED.
2 Because we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Mr. Clark’s motion on the merits, we need not address the government’s exhaustion argument. See Harris, 989 F.3d at 911 (holding that § 3582(c)(1)(A)’s “exhaustion requirement is not jurisdictional”). 6