United States v. Kahlil Hampton

NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
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No. 19-3750
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.
KAHLIL HAMPTON
a/k/a/ RUGER,
Appellant
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On Appeal from the United States District Court
for the District of New Jersey
(D.C. No. 3-19-cr-00298-001)
District Judge: Hon. Freda L. Wolfson
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Submitted Under Third Circuit L.A.R. 34.1(a)
November 16, 2020
Before: JORDAN, KRAUSE, and RESTREPO, Circuit Judges.
(Filed: December 4, 2020)
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OPINION
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
This disposition is not an opinion of the full court and, pursuant to I.O.P. 5.7,
does not constitute binding precedent.
JORDAN, Circuit Judge.
Kahlil Hampton appeals the judgment of the United States District Court for the
District of New Jersey sentencing him to 176 months’ imprisonment. Hampton’s
attorney has moved to withdraw under Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744 (1967).
For the reasons that follow, we will affirm the District Court’s judgment and grant the
motion to withdraw.
I. BACKGROUND
Hampton pled guilty to a single-count Information charging him with conspiracy
to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, in
violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. See also 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B). In exchange for
his plea, the government agreed not to bring any additional criminal charges against him
stemming from his involvement in the conspiracy.
As part of the plea agreement, Hampton expressly waived his right to appeal a
factual stipulation included in the plea agreement, should the District Court accept the
stipulated fact. The stipulation stated that Hampton was “responsible for more than 100
but less than 400 grams of heroin as a result of his participation in the conspiracy.” (App.
at 83.) The parties otherwise “reserve[d] the right to file, oppose, or take any position in
any appeal, collateral attack, or proceeding involving post-sentencing motions or writs.”
(App. at 83.)
At the plea hearing, the District Court did in fact accept the stipulation, and a full
factual basis for the plea was established on the record. The Court found Hampton to be
competent, capable of entering into an informed plea agreement, and aware of the nature
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of the charge and consequences of the plea. It further found that the plea of guilty was
knowing, voluntary, and supported by an independent factual basis.
In preparation for Hampton’s sentencing, a presentence investigation report
(“PSR”) was prepared. Applying the United States Sentencing Guidelines, it calculated
an offense level of 31 and a criminal history category of VI, and correspondingly
recommended a sentencing range of 188 to 235 months. The PSR recognized that, under
21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B), Hampton faced a mandatory minimum term of five
years’ imprisonment and a maximum term of 40 years’ imprisonment. See also 21
U.S.C. § 846. The government sought an increase of two points in the offense level, to
account for Hampton’s possession of a firearm. The District Court, however, decided
against that increase because ultimately it would not “affect the overall calculation” of
the sentencing range, in light of Hampton’s status as a career offender, and because that
increase could prevent Hampton from participating in certain Bureau of Prisons programs
during “what will be a lengthy sentence.” (App. at 138-39.) After evaluating the
§ 3553(a) factors, the Court sentenced Hampton to 176 months’ imprisonment, twelve
months below the minimum of his advisory guidelines range of 188 to 235 months. The
sentence also included five years of supervised release and a special assessment fee for
$100.
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A week after his sentencing, Hampton filed a timely pro se notice of appeal,
contending (according to his attorney) that the length of his sentence was unreasonable.1
Thereafter, Hampton’s counsel moved to withdraw and filed a supporting Anders brief,
indicating his belief that there are no nonfrivolous issues for appeal. Hampton did not
file a brief.
II. DISCUSSION2
Under Anders v. California, counsel may seek to withdraw from representing a
criminal defendant on appeal if there are no nonfrivolous issues to appeal. 386 U.S. at
744. We implement Anders through our Local Appellate Rule (“L.A.R.”) 109.2(a)3 and
1
Hampton’s Notice of Appeal does not indicate whether he intends to appeal his
conviction, his sentence, or both. But, as we discuss below, there are no nonfrivolous
bases to challenge either his conviction or his sentence.
2
We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742(a). The
District Court had jurisdiction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3231.
3
The Third Circuit Local Appellate Rule 109.2(a) states:
Where, upon review of the district court record, counsel is persuaded that
the appeal presents no issue of even arguable merit, counsel may file a
motion to withdraw and supporting brief pursuant to Anders v. California,
386 U.S. 738 (1967), which must be served upon the appellant and the
United States. The United States must file a brief in response. Appellant
may also file a brief in response pro se. After all briefs have been filed, the
clerk will refer the case to a merits panel. If the panel agrees that the appeal
is without merit, it will grant counsel’s Anders motion, and dispose of the
appeal without appointing new counsel. If the panel finds arguable merit to
the appeal, or that the Anders brief is inadequate to assist the court in its
review, it will appoint substitute counsel, order supplemental briefing and
restore the case to the calendar. The panel will also determine whether to
continue the appointment of current counsel or to direct the clerk to
discharge current counsel and appoint new counsel.
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examine two principal questions: first, whether counsel has “adequately fulfilled” the
requirements of our L.A.R. 109.2(a); and, second, “whether an independent review of the
record presents any nonfrivolous issues.” United States v. Youla, 241 F.3d 296, 300 (3d
Cir. 2001). “We exercise plenary review to determine whether there are any such
issues.” Simon v. Gov’t of V.I., 679 F.3d 109, 114 (3d Cir. 2012) (citing Penson v. Ohio,
488 U.S. 75, 80-83 & n.6 (1988)). Whether an issue is frivolous is a question informed
by the standard of review for each potential claim raised. United States v. Schuh, 289
F.3d 968, 974-76 (7th Cir. 2002).
A. Adequacy of the Anders Brief
Fulfillment of the requirements in L.A.R. 109.2(a) often turns, as it does in this
case, on the adequacy of counsel’s supporting brief. To be adequate, the Anders brief
must “satisfy the court that counsel has thoroughly examined the record in search of
appealable issues,” must identify issues that might arguably support an appeal, and must
“explain why the issues are frivolous.” Youla, 241 F.3d at 300 (citation omitted).
“Counsel need not raise and reject every possible claim[,]” but he or she must
conscientiously examine the record, as Anders requires. Id. (citation omitted).
Here, counsel identifies three potentially appealable issues: “(1) the district court’s
jurisdiction, (2) the validity of [Hampton’s] plea, and (3) the reasonableness and legality
of his … sentence.” (Opening Br. at 7-8.) Counsel represents that he has reviewed the
record and concluded there are no nonfrivolous issues for the following reasons: the
District Court had jurisdiction to convict and sentence Hampton under 18 U.S.C. § 3231;
Hampton voluntarily waived any right to dispute that he was “responsible for more than
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100 but less than 400 grams of heroin as a result of his participation in the conspiracy”
(App. at 79, 83); the requirements of Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11 were met;
the plea hearing was comprehensive, thorough, and left no questions regarding
Hampton’s competence or comprehension; the sentencing proceeding complied with
Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32; the District Court correctly calculated the
advisory guidelines range; the Court considered the sentencing factors set forth in 18
U.S.C. § 3553(a); and the Court sentenced Hampton to twelve months less than the
guidelines’ recommended minimum sentence. We are satisfied that counsel has correctly
and thoroughly assessed the record.
B. Our Independent Review Reveals No Nonfrivolous Issues
Because counsel’s Anders brief is adequate, our review of the record is guided by
the brief itself and we consider each of the three identified issues in turn. See United
States v. Coleman, 575 F.3d 316, 321 (3d Cir. 2009).
1. The District Court Had Jurisdiction
Under 18 U.S.C. § 3231, the District Court properly exercised jurisdiction over
Hampton because he was charged with committing an offense against the United States.
2. The Plea Agreement Is Valid
To withstand a challenge like Hampton’s, a guilty plea must comply with Rule 11
of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, which embodies the “constitutional
requirement that a guilty plea be ‘knowing’ and ‘voluntary.’” United States v.
Schweitzer, 454 F.3d 197, 202 (3d Cir. 2006). Because Hampton did not contest the
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validity of his plea before the District Court, we review for plain error. United States v.
Goodson, 544 F.3d 529, 539 (3d Cir. 2008).
Here, the District Court, among other things, addressed Hampton personally and in
open court, confirmed he understood the rights he was forfeiting, ensured he understood
and had the opportunity to examine with his attorney the terms of his plea agreement, and
verified he was pleading guilty knowingly and voluntarily, without any outside promises
or threats. The Court further confirmed that Hampton knew of and understood the
specific waiver of his right to appeal the factual stipulation included in the plea
agreement. In light of the Court’s thorough and comprehensive colloquy with Hampton,
we see no nonfrivolous basis to challenge the validity of the plea.
3. The Sentence Imposed by the District Court Is Reasonable
To determine whether a sentence is reasonable, we examine “whether the record
as a whole reflects rational and meaningful consideration of the factors enumerated in 18
U.S.C. § 3553(a).” United States v. Grier, 475 F.3d 556, 571 (3d Cir. 2007). “[W]e will
affirm [a sentence] unless no reasonable sentencing court would have imposed the same
sentence on that particular defendant for the reasons the district court provided.” United
States v. Tomko, 562 F.3d 558, 568 (3d Cir. 2009) (en banc).
Procedurally, Hampton’s sentencing hearing complied with Federal Rule of
Criminal Procedure 32. Hampton, his counsel, and the government all had the
opportunity to address the District Court. In addition, several of Hampton’s family
members spoke to the Court on Hampton’s behalf. The Court also confirmed that
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Hampton and his defense counsel had an opportunity to review the PSR and that
Hampton was aware of his right to appeal.
After correctly calculating the sentencing guidelines range of 188 to 235 months,
the District Court sentenced Hampton to 176 months’ imprisonment, a twelve-month
downward variance from the bottom of the guidelines range. In doing so, the Court
provided reasoned consideration of the § 3553(a) factors, including Hampton’s criminal
history, the circumstances and seriousness of his offense, and all mitigating factors
offered on his behalf. The Court further decided against the government’s request for a
two-point increase in the guidelines offense level for possession of a firearm, out of
consideration for Hampton’s access to certain prison programs. The Court identified the
need for specific and general deterrence because Hampton “had fairly lengthy
sentence[es] in the past [and] [i]t hasn’t deterred” him from making many “poor” (i.e.,
criminal) decisions. (App. at 185-86.) Even so, the District Court, “hold[ing] out just a
little bit of hope” for Hampton, chose “to shave 12 months off the bottom of the
[g]uidelines.” (App. at 186.)
It is clear that the Court meaningfully considered all relevant factors and
appropriately imposed a reasonable sentence on Hampton. Any claim otherwise is
frivolous.
III. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we will affirm Hampton’s conviction and sentence and
will grant his counsel’s motion to withdraw.
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