United States v. Malloy

845 F. Supp. 2d 475, 2012 WL 603725, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 33797
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. New York
DecidedFebruary 24, 2012
DocketNo. 1:06-CR-394-20 (GLS)
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 845 F. Supp. 2d 475 (United States v. Malloy) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Malloy, 845 F. Supp. 2d 475, 2012 WL 603725, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 33797 (N.D.N.Y. 2012).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM-DECISION AND ORDER

GARY L. SHARPE, Chief Judge.

I. Introduction

On November 1, 2011, defendant Deauntta Malloy filed a motion under 18 U.S.C. § 3582 seeking a reduction in his sentence following the retroactive application of the Fair Sentencing Act of 20101 (“FSA”), which, among other things, directed the United States Sentencing Commission (“Commission”) to amend the United States Sentencing Guidelines (“Guidelines”) ranges for certain federal crack cocaine offenders.2 (See Dkt. No. 1125.) Although the parties agree that Malloy is eligible for a sentence reduction, they disagree on the extent of the reduction warranted. (See generally Dkt. Nos. 1125, 1135.) For the reasons that follow, Malloy’s motion is granted and his term of imprisonment is reduced to sixty-four (64) months, which includes a twenty (20) month state custody credit.

II. Background

According to the Presentence Investigation Report (“PSR”), which was adopted by the court at sentencing, Malloy was responsible “for at least 50 grams, but less than 150 grams” of crack cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.3 (PSR ¶ 88.) Pursuant to the 2007 Guidelines, Malloy’s base and adjusted offense level was thirty (30). (See id. ¶¶ 88, 94). After applying a three-level reduction for acceptance of responsibility, see U.S.S.G. § 3El.l(a), (b) (2007)4, Malloy’s total offense level was twenty-seven (27). (See PSR ¶¶ 95-96.) Because his criminal history placed him in category V, Malloy’s advisory guideline range was 120 to 150 months. (See id. ¶ 103,128.)

Before imposing sentence, the court had to resolve an issue arising out of Malloy’s 2003 conviction in Albany County; the conviction was for “relevant conduct” and had increased Malloy’s criminal history score by three (3) points. (See id. ¶ 102.) Despite being paroled at the time of his arrest in this case, the state, after learning of the arrest, placed a parole hold on Malloy and indefinitely suspended the violation [478]*478hearing. (See id.) After listening to the parties’ arguments, neither of which disputed that á credit was due, the court stated “that some compensation ha[d] to be given under 5K2.23 for the sentence which you already served but which is undischarged.” (Tr.5 at 6:17-23, 11:9— 12:11, 20:19-21.) Though it could not anticipate precisely how much additional time Malloy would serve, the court determined that a credit of twenty months was reasonable compensation. (See id. at 21:22-23.) As such, the court imposed a term of imprisonment of 100 months, which included a twenty-month custody credit. (See J. at 2, Dkt. No. 434.)

III. Standard of Review

With limited exceptions, courts are generally precluded from modifying a final judgment. See 18 U.S.C. § 3582(b). However, section 3582(c)(2) creates one such exception in the event a defendant’s term of imprisonment was “based on a sentencing range that has subsequently been lowered by the [Commission] pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 994(o) and made retroactive pursuant to § 994(u).” Dillon v. United States, — U.S. —, 130 S.Ct. 2683, 2690, 177 L.Ed.2d 271 (2010) (internal quotation marks omitted). Where this exception applies, “the court may reduce the term of imprisonment, after considering the factors set forth in [18 U.S.C. § ]3553(a) to the extent that they are applicable, if such a reduction is consistent with applicable policy statements issued by the Sentencing Commission.” 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2). However, section 3582(c)(2) neither authorizes a “resentencing proceeding,” Dillon, 130 S.Ct. at 2690, nor permits the defendant to raise “arguments regarding procedural errors at his original, now-final sentencing,” United States v. Mock, 612 F.3d 133, 135 (2d Cir.2010). Rather, section 3582(c)(2) provides for reduction of “an otherwise final sentence in circumstances specified by the Commission.” Dillon, 130 S.Ct. at 2690.

Relevantly, the FSA directed the Commission to promulgate amendments in order “to achieve consistency” between the Guidelines “and [the] applicable law.” FSA, Pub. L. No. 111-220, § 8(2), 124 Stat. 2372, 2374 (2010). To this end, the Commission reduced the offense levels for federal crack cocaine offenders, see U.S.S.G. § 1B1.10 cmt. n.4, and authorized a retroactive application thereof under 28 U.S.C. § 994(u), see United States v. Almonte, No. 08-CR-427, 2012 WL 273138, at *2 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 30, 2012). Though this change empowers the court to entertain a motion under section 3582(c)(2), it by no means mandates a reduction in the defendant’s sentence. See id. Instead, the court must conduct a two-step inquiry to determine: (1) whether the defendant is eligible for a “sentence modification and the extent of the reduction authorized,” and if so, (2) whether it is “warranted” in light of the section 3553(a) factors. Dillon, 130 S.Ct. at 2691. Because the court, • in considering a motion under section 3582(c)(2), is bound by the Commission’s policy statements, see Freeman v. United States, — U.S.-, 131 S.Ct. 2685, 2693, 180 L.Ed.2d 519 (2011), this inquiry begins with U.S.S.G. § 1B1.10,6 the applicable policy statement.

[479]*479According to U.S.S.G. § lB1.10(b)(l), the court must first determine “the amended guideline range that would have been applicable to the defendant had the relevant amendment been in effect at the time of the initial sentencing.” Dillon, 130 S.Ct. at 2691 (internal quotation marks omitted). “In making such determination,” the court is prohibited from disturbing its previous “guideline application decisions,” U.S.S.G. § 1B1.10(b)(1), and furthermore, from imposing a revised term of imprisonment “that is less than the minimum of the amended guideline range,” id. § lB1.10(b)(2)(A). See United States v. Rivera, 662 F.3d 166, 171 (2d Cir.2011) (holding that “the limitations on the degree of a sentence reduction under § 3582(c)(2) are mandatory”); but see U.S.S.G. § lB1.10(b)(2)(B) (creating an exception to section lB1.10(b)(2)(A) for “substantial assistance”). If the amended guideline range is lower than the original range, the court proceeds to step two; if it is not, the inquiry ceases at step one. See Dillon, 130 S.Ct. at 2691. Thus, where appropriate, the court, at step two, should “consider any applicable § 3553(a) factors and determine whether, in its discretion, the reduction ... is warranted in whole or in part under the particular circumstances of the case.” Dillon, 130 S.Ct. at 2692.

IY. Discussion

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Bluebook (online)
845 F. Supp. 2d 475, 2012 WL 603725, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 33797, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-malloy-nynd-2012.