Opinion
No. 1:19-cv-01597-LJO-SKO (HC)
12-13-2019
JESUS BENITEZ-TORRES, Petitioner, v. S. YOUNG, Respondent.
ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS (Doc. No. 5)
ORDER DISMISSING PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO ENTER JUDGMENT AND CLOSE CASE
ORDER DECLINING TO ISSUE CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY
Petitioner is a federal prisoner proceeding in propria persona with a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. On November 19, 2019, the Magistrate Judge assigned to the case issued Findings and Recommendation to dismiss the petition for lack of jurisdiction. (Doc. No. 5.) This Findings and Recommendation was served upon all parties and contained notice that any objections were to be filed within thirty (30) days from the date of service of that order. On December 11, 2019, Petitioner filed objections to the Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations. (Doc. No. 6.)
In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(C), the Court has conducted a de novo review of the case. Petitioner claims he satisfies the savings clause set forth in § 2255 because he is actually innocent of a sentencing enhancement. As noted by the Magistrate Judge, the Ninth Circuit noted in Marrero v. Ives that circuit courts "are in accord that a petitioner generally cannot assert a cognizable claim of actual innocence of a noncapital sentencing enhancement." Marrero v. Ives, 682 F.3d 1190, 1193 (9th Cir. 2012) (collecting cases). Here, Petitioner is asserting a purely legal claim that his prior conviction for illegal entry did not qualify for a sentence enhancement. He does not claim factual innocence of his crimes which is a requirement in this circuit to qualify under the savings clause. Stephens v. Herrera, 464 F.3d 895, 898 (9th Cir. 2006).
In addition, Petitioner fails to demonstrate that he did not have an unobstructed procedural opportunity to present his claim. In fact, Petitioner presented his claim in a successive § 2255 motion to the sentencing court. See United States v. Benitez-Torres, Case No. 2:01-cr-00249 (S.D. Tex.) (Doc. No. 224.) The § 2255 motion was dismissed as an unauthorized successive motion on December 31, 2018. Id. (Doc. No. 225.) Petitioner was advised that he was required to first seek authorization from the Fifth Circuit before filing a second § 2255 motion, and that until he did so the court did not have jurisdiction. Id. There is no indication that Petitioner has done so, but the avenue is or was available. In any case, Petitioner fails to argue that "the legal basis for [his] claim did not arise until after he had exhausted his direct appeal and first § 2255 motion." Alaimalo v. United States, 645 F.3d 1042, 1047 (9th Cir. 2011).
Having carefully reviewed the entire file, including Petitioner's objections, the Court concludes that the Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendation is supported by the record and proper analysis. Petitioner's objections present no grounds for questioning the Magistrate Judge's analysis.
In addition, the Court declines to issue a certificate of appealability. A prisoner seeking a writ of habeas corpus has no absolute entitlement to appeal a district court's denial of his petition, and an appeal is only allowed in certain circumstances. Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 335-336 (2003). A successive petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 that is disguised as a § 2241 petition requires a certificate of appealability. Harrison v. Ollison, 519 F.3d 952, 958 (9th Cir. 2008); Porter v. Adams, 244 F.3d 1006, 1007 (9th Cir. 2001). The controlling statute in determining whether to issue a certificate of appealability is 28 U.S.C. § 2253, which provides as follows:
(a) In a habeas corpus proceeding or a proceeding under section 2255 before a district judge, the final order shall be subject to review, on appeal, by the court of appeals for the circuit in which the proceeding is held.
(b) There shall be no right of appeal from a final order in a proceeding to test the validity of a warrant to remove to another district or place for commitment or trial a person charged with a criminal offense against the United States, or to test the validity of such person's detention pending removal proceedings.
(c)(1) Unless a circuit justice or judge issues a certificate of appealability, an appeal may not be taken to the court of appeals from
(A) the final order in a habeas corpus proceeding in which the detention complained of arises out of process issued by a State court; or
(B) the final order in a proceeding under section 2255.
(2) A certificate of appealability may issue under paragraph (1) only if the applicant has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.
(3) The certificate of appealability under paragraph (1) shall indicate which specific issue or issues satisfy the showing required by paragraph (2).
If a court denies a petitioner's petition, the court may only issue a certificate of appealability when a petitioner makes a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right. 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). To make a substantial showing, the petitioner must establish that "reasonable jurists could debate whether (or, for that matter, agree that) the petition should have been resolved in a different manner or that the issues presented were 'adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further.'" Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000) (quoting Barefoot v . Estelle, 463 U.S. 880, 893 (1983)).
In the present case, the Court finds that Petitioner has not made the required substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right to justify the issuance of a certificate of appealability. Reasonable jurists would not find the Court's determination that Petitioner is not entitled to federal habeas corpus relief debatable, wrong, or deserving of encouragement to proceed further. Thus, the Court DECLINES to issue a certificate of appealability.
Accordingly, the Court orders as follows:
1. The Findings and Recommendations, filed November 19, 2019 (Doc. No. 5), is ADOPTED IN FULL;
2. The petition for writ of habeas corpus is DISMISSED;
3. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to ENTER JUDGMENT and close the file; and,
4. The Court DECLINES to issue a certificate of appealability.
This order terminates the action in its entirety. IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: December 13 , 2019
/s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill
UNITED STATES CHIEF DISTRICT JUDGE