Summary
noting that "Herrera claims that, in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Bailey v. United States, 516 U.S. 137, there was insufficient evidence to sustain the charge that he used a firearm in connection with a narcotics offense . . ." and rejecting claim
Summary of this case from Herrera v. AtkinsonOpinion
97 Civ. 3783 (JSM) S2 93 Cr. 339 (JSM) S5 93 Cr. 340 (KMW).
July 7, 2003.
Virgilio Herrera, Attorney for Plaintiff.
Daniel W. Levy, Assistant United States Attorney, Attorney for Defendant.
OPINION ORDER
Virgilio Herrera, who was convicted on various charges relating to the distribution of heroin, has filed a motion under Rule 60(b) seeking to vacate his sentence. Since Herrera filed an earlier petition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 seeking to set aside his conviction, the Government argues that the Court should give Herrera notice that it intends to transfer this matter to the Second Circuit pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. However, in light of the opinion of the Second Circuit in United States v. Gitten 311 F.3d 529 (2002), it seems more appropriate simply to deny the relief under Rule 60(b).
The only grounds for setting aside a judgment stated in Rule 60(b) that might apply here are either "(4) the judgment is void" or "(6) any other reason justifying relief from the operation of the judgment." However, neither of these grounds justify the granting of relief here. Clearly, the judgment was not void since the Court had jurisdiction over the offender and the offense. Although Herrera claims that, in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Bailey v. United States, 516 U.S. 137, 116 S.Ct. 501 (1995), there was insufficient evidence to sustain the charge that he used a fireman in connection with a narcotics offense, that claim has already been rejected by the Second Circuit which affirmed his conviction subsequent to Bailey stating:
Herrera argues that there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Specifically, he contends that there was insufficient evidence that Herrera used a gun, and that (assuming he did use a gun) such use was in connection with a narcotics trafficking offense. We disagree.
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The government introduced two wiretap recordings of conversations Herrera had with his wife on the day following the March 25th shootout. In the first conversation, Herrera told his wife that he and several other identified members of the "48 Hours" gang had gotten into a shootout at 13th Street. He told her that "we were shooting like fifty times." When she asked Herrera if he hit anyone, he replied: "I was shoo — we don't know." Herrera also told his wife that if Richie Rodriguez (the leader of the organization) called, she should tell Rodriguez what had happened. In the second conversation, Herrera again told his wife of the shootout. When she asked Herrera why he had the gun in the first place, he began "we had just paid . . .", before moving on to another topic.
These admissions are enough for a reasonable jury to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the shootout occurred, and that Herrera fired a gun. Furthermore, because the shootout took place at the 13th Street spot and involved the members of the "48 Hours" heroin distribution gang, and because Herrera told his wife to pass the news to the drug gang's leader, a jury could reasonably find that Herrera's use of the gun was related to his narcotics trafficking activity.United States v. Acaide, 100 F.3d 944, Nos. 95-1488, 95-1489, 1996 WL 75757, *2 (2nd Cir. Feb. 20, 1996).
In light of these express findings by the Second Circuit, there is no basis to conclude either that Herrera's conviction is void or that there is any other reason justifying relief from the operation of the judgment. Therefore, the motion for relief pursuant to Rule 60(b) is denied.
In addition, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), the Court certifies that an appeal from this case may not be taken in forma pauperis; such an appeal would be frivolous and cannot be taken in good faith. See Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 444-45, 82 S.Ct. 917, 920-21 (1962). The Court determines that the petition presents no question of substance for appellate review and that Petitioner has failed to make a "substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right." 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2); see Fed.R.App.P. 22(b). Accordingly, a certificate of appealability will not issue.
SO ORDERED.