Summary
In United States v. Verduzco, 677 Fed. App'x. 486 (10th Cir. 2017), the Tenth Circuit holds that the district court does not abuse its discretion in denying the defendant's motion for a sentence reduction by relying, in part, on the defendant's “record of twenty-six disciplinary infractions during his incarceration, including multiple instances of assault, fighting, and possession of a dangerous weapon.” 677 Fed. App'x. at 486.
Summary of this case from United States v. MartinezOpinion
No. 16-6326
02-10-2017
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. EDUARDO VERDUZCO, Defendant - Appellant.
(D.C. No. 5:03-CR-00241-R-1)
(W.D. Okla.) ORDER AND JUDGMENT Before LUCERO, O'BRIEN, and MORITZ, Circuit Judges.
After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist in 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 This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel.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. --------
Eduardo Verduzco appeals the district court's denial of his motion for a sentence reduction. Exercising jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, we affirm.
Verduzco pled guilty to maintaining a place for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 240 months' imprisonment. Following the passage of Guidelines Amendment 782, U.S.S.G. Manual, app. C, amend. 782, Verduzco filed a motion to reduce his sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2). The district court concluded that Verduzco was eligible for a reduction but denied the motion based on his extensive disciplinary problems in prison. Verduzco now appeals.
"We review for an abuse of discretion a district court's decision to deny a reduction of a sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2)." United States v. Osborn, 679 F.3d 1193, 1195 (10th Cir. 2012). A district court may modify the sentence of a defendant whose Guidelines range has been lowered by the Sentencing Commission "after considering the factors set forth in [18 U.S.C. §] 3553(a) to the extent that they are applicable, if such a reduction is consistent with applicable policy statements issued by the Sentencing Commission." § 3582(c)(2). "[A]n ameliorative amendment to the Guidelines in no way creates a right to a sentence reduction." Osborn, 679 F.3d at 1196 (emphasis omitted).
We cannot say that the district court abused its discretion in denying Verduzco's motion for a sentence reduction. District courts may consider post-sentencing conduct in deciding whether to reduce a sentence. U.S.S.G. § 1B1.10, app. n.1(B)(iii). Accordingly, the court acted well within its discretion in looking to Verduzco's record of twenty-six disciplinary infractions during his incarceration, including multiple instances of assault, fighting, and possession of a dangerous weapon. See Osborn, 679 F.3d at 1196 (stating that "the presence of prison disciplinary reports on [a defendant's] record" is "a proper basis for denying a motion under § 3582(c)(2)").
AFFIRMED.
Entered for the Court
Carlos F. Lucero
Circuit Judge