United States v. Smith

136 F. Supp. 3d 4, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 135820, 2015 WL 5882706

• Court: District Court, District of Columbia
• Decided: October 6, 2015
• Docket: Criminal No. 1990-0143
• Status: Published

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

RICHARD W. ROBERTS, Chief Judge

Defendant Billy Ray Smith has filed pro se two motions under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to vacate.the sentence imposed upon him for his supervised release violation, alleging that he is actually innocent and that the court lacked jurisdiction to impose that sentence. The government opposes Smith’s motions, arguing that Smith’s claims are procedurally defaulted because he failed to raise them on direct appeal. Because Smith did not file a direct appeal of his sentence and has not demonstrated cause and actual prejudice to overcome procedural default, nor has he provided a jurisdictional challenge with any merit or facts to support his claim of actual innocence, his motions will be denied.

BACKGROUND

In 1990, a jury found Smith guilty of distribution of cocaine base. Judge Hogan sentenced Smith to 240 months of incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. Smith filed a timely notice of appeal, and the D.C. Circuit affirmed Smith’s conviction. United States v. Smith, No. 923055, 1996 WL 397489, at *1 (D.C.Cir. July 5, 1996).

Smith’s term of supervised release began in January of 2013. See 5/8/14 Report & Recommendation (“R & R”), ECF No. 144 at 1. In July of 2013, the Probation Office filed a petition alleging that Smith violated the condition of his supervised release that he not commit another crime. See 7/1/13 Prob. Pet., ECF No. 129 at 1. He had been arrested in June of 2013 and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of marijuana. See id. at 1. A District of Columbia Superior Court jury found Smith guilty of both charges. See 4/2/14 Prob. Pet,, ECF No. 143 at 1. Smith later conceded that he violated his supervised release as alleged. See R & R at 2. On October 3, 2014, Smith’s term of supervised release imposed by Judge Hogan was revoked and Smith was sentenced to 18 months id prison to be served consecutively to his Superior Court term of imprisonment. See 10/10/14 J. & Commitment, ECF No. 149 at 2.

Smith filed two motions pro se on February 23, 2015 collaterally attacking the sentence imposed for his supervised release violation. See 28 U.S.C. § 2255 Mot. for Release Order, ECF No. 151; Mot. under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 — Fed. Rules Civ. P. Evidence and Not Replied or Returned a Filed Copy or Order to D.A. (“Mot. to Void Judgment”), ECF No. 152. In the first motion, 1 Smith asserts that “he is innocent” and that the judgment imposed on October 3, 2014 is “void for want of jurisdiction.” Mot. for Release Order at 1. The government opposes Smith’s motions and argues that his motion should be summarily denied because Smith has procedurally defaulted on his claims. See Govt/s Opp’n to Def.’s 28 U.S.C. § 2255 Motion for Release Order & Mot. to Void Judgment under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 — Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(d) to Void Judgment, Amend 2255 and Order Where Court Has New Evidence and Not Replied or Returned a Filed Copy of Order to D.A. (“Govt.’s Opp’n”), ECF No. 158 at 1.

DISCUSSION

In a § 2255 motion, a petitioner can move the sentencing court to “vacate, set aside or correct the sentence” if “the sentence was imposed in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States, or [if] the .court was without jurisdiction to impose, such sentence, or [if] the sentence was in excess of the maximum authorized by law, or is otherwise subject to collateral attack[.]” 28 U.S.C. § 2255(a). A prisoner asserting a § 2255 collateral challenge, “in order to gain relief under any claim, is obliged to show a good deal more than would be. sufficient on a direct appeal from his sentence. Section 2255 is not a substitute for a direct appeal.” United States v. Pollard, 959 F.2d 1011, 1020 (D.C.Cir. 1992) (citing United States v. Frady, 456 U.S. 152, 165, 102 S.Ct. 1584, 71 L.Ed.2d 816 (1982)). Where a prisoner files a ha-beas petition that raises a claim that is “neither jurisdictional nor constitutional” and involves- neither a “fundamental defect which inherently results in a complete miscarriage of justice, nor an omission inconsistent with the rudimentary demands of fair procedure[,]” such a case “does not present ‘exceptional circumstances where the need for the remedy afforded by the writ of habeas corpus is apparent.’ ” Hill v. United States, 368 U.S. 424, 428, 82 S.Ct. 468, 7 L.Ed.2d 417 (1962) (quoting Bowen v. Johnston, 306 U.S. 19, 27, 59 S.Ct. 442, 83 L.Ed. 455 (1939)). The burden lies on the petitioner to prove the violation by a- preponderance of the evidence. United States v. Simpson, 475 F.2d 934, 935 (D.C.Cir.1973).

A prisoner may not raise claims collaterally attacking his sentence for the first time in a § 2255 motion; the prisoner' must first raise his claims on direct appeal. The Supremé Court explained the justification for such a rule as follows:

Once the defendant’s chance to appeal has been waived or exhausted, however, we are entitled to presume he stands fairly and finally convicted, especially when, as here, he already has had a fair opportunity to present his federal claims to a federal forum. Our trial and appellate procedures áre not so ünreliáble that we may not afford their completed operation any binding effect beyond the next in a series of endless post-conviction collateral attacks. To the contrary, a final' judgment commands respect. For this reason, we have long and consistently affirmed that a collateral challenge may -not do service for an appeal.

United States v. Frady, 456 U.S. 152, 164-65, 102 S.Ct. 1584, 71 L.Ed.2d 816 (1982) (citations omitted). Failure to raise claims on direct appeal may result in procedural default where the prisoner fails to show cause for the failure to raise those arguments on direct appeal, or show actual prejudice from errors of which the prisoner complains. See, e.g., United States v. Pettigrew, 346 F.3d 1139, 1144 (D.C.Cir. 2003) (“Where a defendant has procedurally defaulted a claim by failing to raise it on direct review, the claim may be raised in habeas only if the defendant can-first demonstrate either cause and actual prejudice, or that he is actually innocent.” (quoting Bousley v. United States, 523 U.S. 614, 622, 118 S.Ct. 1604, 140 L.Ed.2d 828 (1998)) (internal quotation marks omitted)).

To demonstrate actual prejudice, the petitioner must show “not merely that the errors at his [underlying proceeding] created a possibility of prejudice, but that, they worked to his actual and substantial disadvantage, infecting his entire [proceeding]. with error of constitutional dimensions.” Pettigrew, 346 F.3d at 1144 (quoting Frady, 456 U.S. at 170, 102 S.Ct. 1584). A petitioner “must at least demonstrate that ‘there is a reasonable probability that, but for [the errors], the result of the proceeding would have been different.’ ” . Id. (quoting United States v. Dale, 140 F.3d 1054, 1056 n. 3 (D.C.Cir.1998)). This “ ‘showing of prejudice’ required to overcome procedural default on collateral review ‘is significantly greater than that necessary’ to establish plain error on direct review.” Id. (quoting Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 493-94, 106 S.Ct. 2639, 91 L.Ed.2d 397 (1986)). Oh collateral review, the petitioner “ ‘bears the burden of persuasion’ in showing that the ‘error ... affected the outcome of the district court proceedings.’ ” Id. at 1144-1145 (quoting United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 734, 113 S.Ct. 1770, 123 L.Ed.2d 508 (1993)). A petitioner may demonstrate cause for fail ure to raise a claim on direct appeal where a claim “is so novel that its legal basis is not reasonably, available to counsel.” Bousley v. United States, 523 U.S. 614, 622, 118 S.Ct. 1604, 140 L.Ed.2d 828 (1998) (quoting Reed v. Ross, 468 U.S. 1, 16, 104 S.Ct. 2901, 82 L.Ed.2d 1 (1984)) (internal quotation marks omitted). Finally, a petitioner may demonstrate actual innocence by showing that “in light of-all the evidence, it is more likely than not” that no reasonable fact finder would have found the charged misconduct to have been proven. Id. at 623, 118 S.Ct. 1604 (citing Schlup v. Delo, 513 U.S. 298, 327-328, 115 S.Ct. 851, 130 L.Ed.2d 808 (1995)) (internal quotations .marks omitted).

“A district judge must grant a prompt hearing under § 2255 unless ‘the motion and the files and records of the case conclusively show that the prisoner is entitled to no relief.’ ” Pollard, 959 F.2d at 1030 (quoting 28 U.S.C. § 2255). However, “[a] judge need not conduct an evidentiary hearing before denying a petition for relief under §.2255 when ‘the motion and the files and records of the case conclusively show that the prisoner is entitled to no relief.’” United States v. Morrison, 98 F.3d 619, 625 (D.C.Cir.1996) (quoting 28 U.S.C. § 2255) (noting that it is within the court’s discretion whether to hold a hearing when it is the same court that presided over the petitioner’s criminal proceedings).

Smith’s claims will be resolved without an evidentiary hearing. The undersigned presided over the probation violation and sentencing proceedings in the district court. Familiarity with the facts and issues at sentencing and available pleadings provide the information necessary to resolve Smith’s motion. As is discussed below, the pleadings and record establish conclusively that Smith is not entitled to the relief he seeks;

Smith did not file an appeal of his October 3, 2014 sentence, even though Smith received notice of his’ right to appeal his sentence. See 10/10/14 J. & Commitment at 3. The claims that Smith raises in the instant motions are raised on collateral review for . the first time. .. In order to avoid procedural default, Smith must demonstrate cause and actual ..prejudice, or actual innocence.

Smith’s two motions do not demonstrate cause or actual prejudice. Smith does not base his claims on any new legal authorities that would have been unavailable to him at the time he could have filed a timely appeal. Indeed, the 'case law he cites, albeit unrelated to the legal issues present in his § 2255 motion, date back to 1978. See Mot. for Release Order at 1 (citing Michigan v. Doran, 439 U.S. 282, 99 S.Ct. 530, 58 L.Ed.2d 521 (1978)). Moreover, Smith has alleged no facts to show actual prejudice,. or that the errors he alleges placed him at an “actual and substantial disadvantage” and that the alleged errors “affected the outcome of the district court proceedings.” Pettigrew, 346 F.3d at 1144-45. From what can be deciphered from Smith’s motion, the only errors that Smith alleges is that the district court lacked jurisdiction and that he was. deprived of notice and the right. to. a fair hearing. Mot. for- Release Order at. 1.

Smith’s challenge to the jurisdiction-of the court, in essence, is that the federal district court lacked-jurisdiction to sentence him for violations of his súper-vised release conditions and that the D.C. Superior Court retained exclusive jurisdiction over -the crimes that he committed. Id. at l (“[There is a] Due Process of law violation where there is no notice and no hearing and no such thing as a[ ] Federal Crime of concurrent Jurisdiction under the Sixth Amendment.”); see also Reply to Govt.’s Opp’n (“Reply”), ECF No. 159 at 2. Smith’s challenge to the court’s jurisdiction is without merit. Smith was convicted of a federal crime in June 1990, and his sentence included a term of three years of supervised release. Federal courts retain jurisdiction over cases involving violations of conditions of supervised release. See 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e); United States v. Raheman-Fazal, 130 Fed.Appx. 485, 486 (1st Cir. May 11, 2005). The "federal district court possessed jurisdiction to sentence Smith following violations of his supervised release terms. -

Furthermore, Smith has. presented no evidence that he was deprived of notice or the right to a fair hearing. After the Probation Office filed a petition informing the court of Smith’s supervised release violations, Smith appeared before the magistrate judge in a preliminary revocation hearing on February 29, 2014. Smith was later convicted by a D.C. Superior Court jury of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession -of marijuana. Following Smith’s conviction, the magistrate judge held a hearing -at which Smith conceded that he violated'his supervised release term by committing the offenses for which he was convicted in D.C. Superior Court. R & R at 3. The magistrate judge issued a report reflecting Smith’s concession, and recommended that Smith’s term of supervised release be revoked. R & R at 3. Smith filed no objection to the report or recommendation. At the final hearing on.October 3, 2014, the undersigned sentenced Smith to 18 months of incarceration, with no additional term of supervised release.- Smith did not appeal this sentence. There is nothing in the record to support Smith’s claim that'he was deprived of his due process rights to notice and a fair hearing. The record shows that Smith was afforded adequate notice and the right to a fair hearing. Smith’s claim to the contrary is without basis.

Smith also provides no factual evidence to support his claim of actual innocence. See Mot. for Release Order at 1. He provides no evidence to challenge the validity 'of his conviction by a Superior Court jury- for the D.C.Code drug possession charges. He does not allege any facts that contradict the court’s finding that he concededly violated the terms and conditions of his supervised release. Courts may deny wholly conclusory claims and claims entirely unsupported by facts. See, e.g., Sanders v. United States, 373 U.S. 1, 19, 83 S.Ct. 1068, 10 L.Ed.2d 148 (1963) (“Petitioner’s first motion under § 2255 was denied because it stated only bald legal conclusions with no supporting factual allegations. The court had the power to deny the motion on this ground[.]”); United States v. Smith, No. 97-3121, 1998 WL 939501, at *2 (D.C.Cir. Dec. 14, 1998) (affirming denial of § 2255 motion by district court where petitioner alleged “virtually no facts.”); United States v. Geraldo, 523 F.Supp.2d 14, 22 (D.D.C.2007) '(“[C]onclu-sory arguments may be 'summarily dismissed by the Court.”). Smith’s claim of actual innocence is without merit and cannot serve" as a basis to collaterally attack his -sentence.

When the district court enters a final order resolving a petition, under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 that is adverse to the petitioner, it must either issue or deny a certificate of appealability. Rules Governing Section 2255 Proceedings for the United States District Courts, Rule 11(a). ' By statute, “[a] certificate of appealability may issue ... only-if the applicant -has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional ' right.” 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). Such a showing demands that Smith demonstrate that “reasonable jurists could debate whether -... the peti tion should have been resolved in a different manner or that the issues presented were ‘adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further.’ ” Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484, 120 S.Ct. 1595, 146 L.Ed.2d 542 (2000) (quoting Barefoot v. Estelle, 463 U.S. 880, 893 n. 4, 103 S.Ct. 3383, 77 L.Ed.2d 1090 (1983)). For the reasons set forth above, Smith has failed to make that showing in this case, and, accordingly, no certificate of appealability shall be issued., To the extent Smith intends to file an appeal, he must seek a certificate of appealability from the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in accordance with Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 22(b).

CONCLUSION

Smith fails to demonstrate cause and actual prejudice in order to avoid procedural default on his § 2255 claims. Furthermore, Smith fails to provide factual support for his claim of actual innocence, and his jurisdictional challenge lacks merit. Therefore, Smith’s § 2255 motions will be denied. A separate Order accompanies this Memorandum Opinion.

1 . Smith's pro se filings are being construed liberally, as they must be. See, e.g., Williams v. Gonzales, 567 F.Supp.2d 148, 149 (D.D.C. 2008) ("The Court is not bound by a pro se litigant’s characterization of his cause of action. Rather a court must determine the proper characterization of a filing by the nature of the relief sought[.]”); Abdelfattah v. U.S. Dep't of Homeland Sec., 787 F.3d 524, 533 (D.C.Cir.2015) ("A document filed pro se is to be liberally construed, ... and a pro se complaint, however inartfully pleaded, must be held to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.” (quoting Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94, 127 S.Ct. 2197, 167 L.Ed.2d 1081 (2007))). But Smith’s second motion .is indecipherable. Smith begins by referring to Yaser Hamdi, the criminal case of Dzhokhar Tsamaev, and the Ku Klux Klan, and ends with vague references to George H.W. Bush. See Mot. to Void Judgment at 1. Because Smith’s second motion does not provide any facts that appear relevant to, let alone add support for, § 2255 relief, the second motion will be denied.