Opinion
22-CV-4124 (JSR) (JLC) 18-CR-0284-1 (JSR)
06-01-2022
EDWIN GUERRIER, Movant, v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Respondent.
ORDER TO AMEND
JAMES L. COTT, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE.
Edwin Guerrier, who is currently incarcerated at FCI Otisville, brings this pro se motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 challenging the legality of his sentence entered in United States v. Guerrier, No. 18-CR-0284-1 (JSR) (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 24, 2020). By order dated May 25, 2022, Judge Rakoff has referred this motion to me for a report and recommendation. Dkt. No. 2. For the following reasons, the Court directs Guerrier to file an amended motion within 60 days of the date of this Order.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
A prisoner in federal custody may bring a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 attacking his conviction or sentence on the grounds that it violates the Constitution or United States law, was imposed without jurisdiction, exceeds the maximum penalty, or is otherwise subject to collateral attack. 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Under Rule 4(b) of the Rules Governing § 2255 Proceedings, the Court has the authority to review and deny a § 2255 motion before directing an answer “[i]f it plainly appears from the motion, any attached exhibits, and the record of prior proceedings that the moving party is not entitled to relief.” Rules Governing § 2255 Proceedings, Rule 4(b); see Acosta v. Nunez, 221 F.3d 117, 123 (2d Cir. 2000). The Court is obliged, however, to construe pro se pleadings liberally and interpret them “to raise the strongest arguments they suggest.” Triestman v. Fed. Bureau of Prisons, 470 F.3d 471, 474 (2d Cir. 2006) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted) (emphasis in original); see Green v. United States, 260 F.3d 78, 83 (2d Cir. 2001). Nevertheless, a pro se litigant is not exempt “from compliance with relevant rules of procedural and substantive law.” Triestman, 470 F.3d at 477 (citing Traguth v. Zuck, 710 F.2d 90, 95 (2d Cir. 1983)).
BACKGROUND
Guerrier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and on September 24, 2020, judgment of conviction was entered. See United States v. Guerrier, 18-CR-0284 (JSR), Dkt. No. 225 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 24, 2020). Guerrier appealed his conviction, and the Court of Appeals affirmed. See No. 20-3469 (2d Cir. Mar. 2, 2022).
Guerrier brings his motion using the court's Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 form. In the motion, he raises two grounds for relief: (1) “sufficiency of evidence, ” and (2) “Eighth Amendment Claim.” Dkt. No. 1, at 2. The motion indicates that Guerrier raised both grounds for relief on direct appeal, but it provides no other information regarding the nature of his claims. Specifically, the motion does not allege any facts supporting Guerrier's grounds for relief. For example, where the form asks Guerrier to state facts in support of his first ground for relief, he simply writes: “Sufficiency of Evidence.” Id. at 4. Furthermore, when asked to state facts in support of his second ground for relief, Guerrier writes: “Eig[h]th Amendment Claim.” Id. at 5. Finally, Guerrier leaves blank the question on the form asking him to state the relief he is seeking from the Court. Id. at 13.
DISCUSSION
A movant who files an application to vacate, set aside, or correct a sentence must submit a motion that conforms to the Rules Governing Section 2255 Cases. Rule 2(b) requires a motion to specify all of a movant's available grounds for relief, setting forth the facts supporting each of the specified grounds and stating the relief requested. A motion must permit both the Court and the Respondent to comprehend both the movant's grounds for relief and the underlying facts and legal theory supporting each ground so that the issues presented in the motion may be adjudicated.
Rule 2(c) requires that the motion must substantially follow a standard form, such as the form provided by this Court.
Here, Guerrier asserts two grounds for relief, but he does not state their specific nature nor does he allege any facts supporting his grounds for relief. Moreover, Guerrier does not state the relief that he is requesting. The motion therefore fails to comply with Rule 2(b).
Because Guerrier has only one opportunity to bring a § 2255 motion asserting all the grounds on which he seeks relief from the judgment as a matter of law, the Court grants him an opportunity to file an amended § 2255 motion. In his amended § 2255 motion, Guerrier must explain the facts supporting both his Eighth Amendment claim and his claim of insufficiency of evidence, so that the issues can be decided.
The Court had previous directed Respondent to reply to Movant's motion no later than July 18, 2022. Dkt. No. 3. In light of this Order to Amend, no answer shall be required at this time. Respondent shall file an answer or other pleadings in response to the amended motion within 60 days of the date the amended motion is filed.
The Court's prior order inadvertently referred to Guerrier's submission as a motion under Rule 60(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. As discussed in this Order, however, his submission is a motion under § 2255 to vacate, set aside, or correct a sentence.
CONCLUSION
Guerrier is directed to file an amended motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 containing the information specified above. The amended motion must be submitted to this Court's Pro Se Office within 60 days of the date of this Order, be captioned as an “Amended Motion, ” and bear the same docket number as this Order. An Amended Motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 form is attached to this Order, which Guerrier should complete as specified above. If Guerrier fails to comply with this Order within the time allowed, and cannot show good cause to excuse such failure, the motion will be denied.
No answer shall be required at this time. Respondent shall file an answer or other pleadings in response to the amended motion within 60 days of the date the amended motion is filed.
Because Guerrier has not at this time made a substantial showing of a denial of a constitutional right, a certificate of appealability will not issue. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253.
The Court certifies, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), that any appeal from this order would not be taken in good faith, and therefore in forma pauperis status is denied for the purpose of an appeal. See Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 444-45 (1962).
SO ORDERED.
AMENDED
Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct a Sentence By a Person in Federal Custody
(Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255)
Instructions
1. To use this form, you must be a person who is serving a sentence under a judgment against you in a federal court. You are asking for relief from the conviction or the sentence. This form is your motion for relief.
2. You must file the form in the United States district court that entered the judgment that you are challenging. If you want to challenge a federal judgment that imposed a sentence to be served in the future, you should file the motion in the federal court that entered that judgment.
3. Make sure the form is typed or neatly written.
4. You must tell the truth and sign the form. If you make a false statement cf a material fact, you may be prosecuted for perjury.
5. Answer all the questions. You do not need to cite law. You may submit additional pages if necessary. If you do not fill out the form properly, you will be asked to submit additional or correct information. If you want to submit a brief or arguments, you must submit them in a separate memorandum.
6. If you cannot pay for the costs of this motion (such as costs for an attorney or transcripts), you may ask to proceed in forma pauperis (as a poor person). To do that, you must fill out the last page of this form. Also, you must submit a certificate signed by an officer at the institution where you are confined showing the amount of money that the institution is holding for you.
7. In this motion, you may challenge the judgment entered by only one court. If you want to challenge a judgment entered by a different judge or division (either in the same district or in a different district), you must file a separate motion.
8. When you have completed the form, send the original and two copies to the Clerk of the United States District Court at this address:
Clerk, United States District Court for Southern District of New York Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courhouse 500 Pearl Steet New York, New York 10007-1312
9. CAUTION: You must include in this motion all the grounds for relief from the conviction or sentence that you challenge. And you must state the facts that support each ground. If you fail to set forth all the grounds in this motion, you may be barred from presenting additional grounds at a later date.
10. CAPITAL CASES: If you are under a sentence of death, you are entitled to the assistance of counsel and should request the appointment of counsel.