United States v. Singleton ( 2009 )

FILED
United States Court of Appeals
Tenth Circuit
December 28, 2009
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
Elisabeth A. Shumaker
Clerk of Court
FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
No. 09-3189
v. (D.C. No. 2:07-CR-20167-KHV-8)
(D. Kan.)
CHARLES R. SINGLETON,
Defendant-Appellant.
ORDER AND JUDGMENT *
Before KELLY, BRISCOE, and TYMKOVICH, Circuit Judges.
Pursuant to a plea agreement, Charles R. Singleton pleaded guilty to one
count of conspiracy to manufacture, to possess with intent to distribute, and to
distribute fifty grams or more of cocaine base, and to possess with intent to
distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of
21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A)(ii), 841(b)(1)(A)(iii), and 846, and
*
This panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not
materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2);
10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral
argument. This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the
doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. It may be cited,
however, for its persuasive value consistent with Fed. R. App. P. 32.1 and
10th Cir. R. 32.1.
18 U.S.C. § 2. The Sentencing Guidelines range, as initially calculated, was 70 to
87 months, but because the statutory mandatory minimum was 120 months, the
Guidelines range became 120 months. The court sentenced Mr. Singleton to
120 months’ imprisonment.
Although his plea agreement contained a waiver of the right to appeal, he
appealed. The United States has moved to enforce the appeal waiver pursuant to
United States v. Hahn, 359 F.3d 1315 (10th Cir. 2004) (en banc) (per curiam).
Under Hahn, we consider: “(1) whether the disputed appeal falls within the scope
of the waiver of appellate rights; (2) whether the defendant knowingly and
voluntarily waived his appellate rights; and (3) whether enforcing the waiver
would result in a miscarriage of justice.” Id. at 1325. Mr. Singleton seeks to
appeal the fact that he was not afforded the benefit of the “safety valve”
sentence-reduction provision.
“We narrowly construe the scope of [a defendant’s] waiver of appeal
rights[,] [b]ut we do not hesitate to hold a defendant to the terms of a lawful plea
agreement.” United States v. Sandoval, 477 F.3d 1204, 1206 (10th Cir. 2007)
(citation and quotation omitted). The waiver in Mr. Singleton’s plea agreement is
broad, covering “any right to appeal or collaterally attack any matter in
connection with this prosecution, conviction and sentence. . . . [T]he defendant
knowingly waives any right to appeal a sentence imposed which is within the
guideline range determined appropriate by the court.” Mot. to Enforce, Attach. at
-2-
A-15. The sentence was within the adjusted Guidelines range, and thus this
appeal is within the scope of the waiver. See United States v. Smith, 500 F.3d
1206, 1210 (10th Cir. 2007); Sandoval, 477 F.3d at 1206-07.
Next, we assess the voluntariness of the waiver, looking primarily to the
plea agreement and the plea colloquy. See Hahn, 359 F.3d at 1325. It is
Mr. Singleton’s burden to demonstrate that the waiver was not knowing and
voluntary. See Smith, 500 F.3d at 1210. Both the plea agreement and the plea
colloquy indicate that Mr. Singleton was informed of the appeal waiver and that
he knowingly and voluntarily accepted it. See Mot. to Enforce, Attach. at A-15,
A-17 (plea agreement); id., Attach. at A-34, A-36 to A-38 (plea colloquy). He
has not fulfilled his burden of demonstrating to the contrary.
Finally, we consider whether enforcing the waiver would result in a
miscarriage of justice. See Hahn, 359 F.3d at 1325. Mr. Singleton contends that
he received ineffective assistance of counsel in connection with the negotiation of
the waiver. If true, this argument would satisfy the requirements for establishing
a miscarriage of justice. See id. at 1327. But we decline to reach the merits of
this challenge, because ineffective-assistance claims generally should be raised in
proceedings under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, rather than on direct appeal. See Massaro v.
United States, 538 U.S. 500, 504 (2003); see also United States v. Galloway,
56 F.3d 1239, 1240 (10th Cir. 1995) (en banc) (“A factual record must be
developed in and addressed by the district court in the first instance for effective
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review. Even if evidence is not necessary, at the very least counsel accused of
deficient performance can explain their reasoning and actions, and the district
court can render its opinion on the merits of the claim.” (footnote omitted)).
“This rule applies even where a defendant seeks to invalidate an appellate waiver
based on ineffective assistance of counsel.” United States v. Porter, 405 F.3d
1136, 144 (10th Cir. 2005); see also Hahn, 359 F.3d at 1327 n.13.
Mr. Singleton’s waiver does not preclude bringing, in collateral proceedings, an
ineffective-assistance claim relating to the waiver itself. See Mot. to Enforce,
Attach. at A-15; United States v. Cockerham, 237 F.3d 1179, 1187 (10th Cir.
2001).
The motion to enforce the appeal waiver is GRANTED, and this appeal is
DISMISSED.
ENTERED FOR THE COURT
PER CURIAM
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