Zhang v. United States

543 F. Supp. 2d 175, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 31263, 2008 WL 1745540
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. New York
DecidedApril 7, 2008
Docket04-cv-3261(ADS)
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 543 F. Supp. 2d 175 (Zhang v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Zhang v. United States, 543 F. Supp. 2d 175, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 31263, 2008 WL 1745540 (E.D.N.Y. 2008).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION AND ORDER

SPATT, District Judge.

The petitioner Sean D. Zhang (“Zhang” or the “Petitioner”) moves the Court for an Order vacating or correcting his sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. In support of his petition, Zhang contends that his counsel was ineffective for failing to properly advise him of the deportation consequences of his guilty plea and failing to take actions which would have shielded him from mandatory deportation.

I. BACKGROUND

A. Factual Background

In 1985, Zhang emigrated from China at the age of seven. Zhang and his family received political asylum in 1989 to protect them from the persecution of the Chinese government. Zhang’s father was a profes *177 sor at the National University at Singapore and published numerous articles criticizing the Communist government and its use of Marxism Socialism. Enghsh is the only language Zhang speaks proficiently. He married a United States citizen and is a permanent resident, but he is not a citizen of the United States.

In 2001 Zhang was a practicing chemist with a Bachelor of Science degree in “Food Science” from Cornell University. In April 2001, Zhang began selling the chemical 2, 4 Dinitrophenol (“DNP”) over the internet to bodybuilders who were interested in using it to lose body fat. DNP is a metabolic stimulant known as an “uncou-pler” and a toxic dye used in biochemical studies of oxidative processes. Stedmans Medical Dictionary (27th ed. 2000). DNP is a chemical substance that is banned by the Food and Drug Administration.

Using the screen name “DNP Guru” on a website known as “Elitefitness.com,” Zhang advocated and sold the chemical DNP. Zhang mixed and prepared the DNP capsules himself, and sold them for human consumption. Eric Perrin died as a result of ingesting the DNP he purchased from Zhang. Another customer, James Shull, was hospitalized in a coma for more than ten days as a result of the DNP he purchased from Zhang.

On September 21, 2001, Zhang was arrested in Bloomington, Indiana, and charged with two counts of introducing into interstate commerce a drug, DNP, that had been misbranded with the intent to defraud and mislead, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 331(a). Following his arrest, Zhang was indicted on two counts of introducing a misbranded drug into interstate commerce in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 331(a). Thereafter, pursuant to a superseding indictment, Zhang was charged with ten counts of introducing a misbrand-ed drug into interstate commerce and ten counts of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341.

B. Procedural History

After jury selection, the Government determined that certain documents Zhang intended to introduce into evidence at the trial had been fraudulently prepared. Zhang was advised of the Government’s determination and that, as a result, his chances of prevailing at trial were greatly reduced. Immediately prior to the trial, Zhang agreed to plead guilty to a single count of mail fraud involving the sale of DNP to an individual in New York who was not James Shull or Eric Perrin.

As a condition to accepting the plea agreement, Zhang waived his right to appeal if his sentence was 60 months or less. In addition, Zhang was informed that the Government would move for an upward departure at sentencing based upon Per-rin’s death and Shull’s injuries. Further, the plea agreement stated that the count of mail fraud carried a maximum penalty of 60 months and “Other penalties: Removal.”

1. The Plea Allocution

On June 25, 2002, Zhang entered his guilty plea before a magistrate judge. During the plea allocution, the Government stated that Zhang “agrees he[ is] subject to possible post sentence deportation.” Tr. at 14. Following up, the magistrate judge stated: “it’s not indicated as a consequence of your plea and the plea agreement but the government indicated that this felony conviction because of your immigration status could result in your deportation. Do you understand that?” Zhang replied,. “Yes, I understand.” Tr. at 15.

In the plea agreement and during the allocution, on behalf of Zhang, his counsel *178 reserved the right to challenge the Government’s loss calculation of $70,000 to $120,000. Tr. at 17-19. Specifically, the Court noted that the Defendant did not agree to the loss calculation. Tr. at 18. Throughout the allocution, Zhang did not admit to a specific loss amount.

The magistrate judge concluded the proceedings by recommending that this Court accept the plea of guilty to count one of the superseding indictment.

2. The Sentencing

On June 27, 2003, following a Fatico hearing, Zhang was sentenced by this Court to 60 months, the maximum term of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and $113,414.53 in restitution. Again, the government indicated to the Court that “there is another condition of supervised release. He may be deported. If he does, if you can put on the judgment he should not reenter without the permission of the Attorney General.” Sentencing Tr. at 410. The Court agreed, and stated that “if the defendant is deported, he’s not to reenter the United States illegally without the consent of the government.” Sentencing Tr. at 410.

At sentencing, the Court inquired as to the representation of Zhang by attorney Stuart Grossman. Specifically, the Court asked:

Mr. Zhang, are you satisfied with the representation provided to you by your attorney Stuart Grossman?

Zhang responded:

Yes, I am, your Honor.

Sentencing Tr. at 382. In addition, the Court observed:

the representation that you have been afforded Mr. Zhang, Mr. Grossman, has been superb ... You have comported yourself in accordance with the highest traditions of the criminal defense bar, and I compliment you for it.

Sentencing Tr. at 399. Zhang did not directly appeal his conviction or sentence to the Second Circuit.

C. Zhang’s Section 2255 Petition

On June 17, 2004, Zhang, with new counsel, timely filed a motion to vacate his conviction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255, challenging the validity of his plea due to a Rule 11 violation, and claiming that his counsel was ineffective. Zhang alleged that his plea of guilty was not entered voluntarily due to the representations by the Court and his counsel that deportation was not a mandatory consequence of being convicted of the aggravated felony that he plead guilty to, namely mail fraud.

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543 F. Supp. 2d 175, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 31263, 2008 WL 1745540, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/zhang-v-united-states-nyed-2008.