Opinion
Criminal No. 03–10 (CKK) Civil Action No. 16–1241 (CKK)
2017-08-09
UNITED STATES of America, v. Donald Earl TAYLOR, also known as Michael Dickens, Defendant.
Charles Joseph Harkins, Jr., U. S. Attorneys, Washington, DC, for Plaintiff. Tony W. Miles, Federal Public Defender for D.C., Washington, DC, for Defendant.
Charles Joseph Harkins, Jr., U. S. Attorneys, Washington, DC, for Plaintiff.
Tony W. Miles, Federal Public Defender for D.C., Washington, DC, for Defendant.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
(August 9, 2017)
COLLEEN KOLLAR–KOTELLY, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Presently before the Court are Defendant Donald Earl Taylor's [23] Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence, and Mr. Taylor's [26] Supplemental Motion to Vacate Judgment Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Upon a searching review of the parties' submissions, the relevant authorities, and the record as a whole, the Court finds that Mr. Taylor no longer qualifies for a sentencing enhancement pursuant to the Armed Career Criminal Act based on his prior criminal convictions in light of the Supreme Court of the United States' holding in Johnson v. United States , ––– U.S. ––––, 135 S.Ct. 2551, 192 L.Ed.2d 569 (2015). Accordingly, the Court shall GRANT Mr. Taylor's [23] Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence, and [26] Supplemental Motion to Vacate Judgment Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, and set this matter for a resentencing.
While the Court renders its decision today on the record as a whole, its consideration has focused on the following documents: Def.'s Mot. Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence ("Def.'s Mot."), ECF No. [23]; Def.'s Supp. Mot. to Vacate Judgment Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 ("Def.'s Supp. Mot."), ECF No. [26]; Govt.'s Opp'n to Def.'s Mot. & Supp. Mot. to Vacate Judgment Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 ("Govt.'s Opp'n"), ECF No. [31]; Def.'s Reply Mem. in Supp. of Mot. & Supp. Mot. to Vacate Judgment Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 ("Def.'s Reply"), ECF No. [37]; Govt.'s Surreply to Def.'s Mot. & Supp. Mot. to Vacate Judgment Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 ("Govt.'s Surreply"), ECF No. [41]; Def.'s Resp. to Govt.'s Surreply (Def.'s Resp."), ECF No. [45]; Govt.'s Reply to Def's Resp. ("Govt.'s Reply"), ECF No. [50].
I. BACKGROUND
On December 10, 2002, Mr. Taylor was arrested and detained after a criminal complaint was filed against him. On January 9, 2003, an indictment was filed charging Mr. Taylor with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for one year or more pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and one count of simple possession of a controlled substance pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 844(a). On April 4, 2003, Mr. Taylor pled guilty to one violation of § 922(g)(1), pursuant to North Carolina v. Alford , 400 U.S. 25, 91 S.Ct. 160, 27 L.Ed.2d 162 (1970). As part of the plea agreement, Mr. Taylor acknowledged that based on his prior criminal record, "pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(1), he may be imprisoned for not less than 15 years for this [ § 922(g)(1) ] offense," and "likely will be considered an Armed Career Criminal under section 4B1.4 of the United States Sentencing Guidelines." Plea Agmt. at 1. The Court dismissed the charge of simple possession of a controlled substance pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 844(a).
This matter proceeded to sentencing on July 22, 2003. At that time, a person convicted of a § 922(g) violation who also had three prior convictions for a "violent felony" or "serious drug offense" was subject to a 15–year mandatory minimum pursuant to the Armed Career Criminal Act ("ACCA"). 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(1) (2002). Further, a "violent felony" was defined as any crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year that: (1) "has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another;" (2) "is burglary, arson, or extortion, [or] involves use of explosives;" or (3) "otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another." Id. § 924(e)(2)(B). Generally, these clauses are known respectively as the "elements clause," the "enumerated clause," and the "residual clause." United States v. Redrick , 841 F.3d 478, 480 & n.3 (D.C. Cir. 2016). Further, at the time of sentencing, United States Sentencing Guideline ("U.S.S.G.") § 2K2.1(a)(2) provided a sentencing enhancement for a defendant who had "at least two felony convictions of either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense." U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(a)(2) (2002). Further, U.S.S.G. § 4B1.1(a) provided a sentencing enhancement for a person classified as a Career Offender, meaning a person whose present conviction was one for a "crime of violence" or "controlled substance offense," and had two prior felony convictions for such offenses. A "crime of violence" was defined for both guideline provisions in materially the same manner as "violent felony" discussed above. See § 2K2.1(a)(2), comment n.5; U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(a). The Court notes that at the time of Mr. Taylor's sentencing the U.S.S.G. were mandatory and binding on all judges. See United States v. Booker , 543 U.S. 220, 233, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005).
The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit also has referred to the "elements clause" as the "force clause." See United States v. Redrick , 841 F.3d 478, 480 (D.C. Cir. 2016).
The Court sentenced Mr. Taylor to a term of imprisonment of 15 years (180 months) followed by a term of supervised release of 3 years (36 months). In imposing this sentence, the Court found that Mr. Taylor was subject to a 15–year mandatory minimum in light of his prior convictions. Judg. in Cr. Case, Stmt. of Reasons at 1 ("Armed Career Offender, 15 yrs. mandatory minimum"); Sent'g Hrg. Tr. (July 22, 2003), at 15:7–10, ECF No. [26–1] ("[T]he court doesn't have any choice about the 15 mandatory minimum sentence."). Specifically, the Court recognized that Mr. Taylor had: a 1994 conviction for assault with intent to rape in Prince George's County, Maryland, PSR ¶ 29; a 1999 conviction for assault with a dangerous weapon in the District of Columbia, PSR ¶ 31; and a 2001 conviction for distribution of cocaine in the District of Columbia, PSR ¶ 32. See Sent'g Hrg. Tr. (Jul. 22, 2003), at 4:9–13. As reflected in the Presentence Investigation Report, Mr. Taylor was subject to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years pursuant to the ACCA, 18 U.S.C. § 924(e). PSR ¶ 71. Further, the Court applied U.S.S.G. §§ 2K2.1(a)(2) (increased base level offense based on two prior felony convictions for a crime of violence or controlled substance offense) and 4B1.4 (Armed Career Criminal enhancement) in calculating Mr. Taylor's sentencing range under the U.S.S.G. PSR ¶¶ 19, 25; Sent'g Hrg. Tr. (July 22, 2003), at 3:25—4:1 (adopting PSR as written). Mr. Taylor did not appeal his conviction or sentence.
On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States ("Supreme Court") in Johnson v. United States , ––– U.S. ––––, 135 S.Ct. 2551, 192 L.Ed.2d 569 (2015), held that the residual clause of the ACCA, § 924(e)(2)(B)(ii), is unconstitutionally vague. Id. at 2563. On April 18, 2016, the Supreme Court held in Welch v. United States , ––– U.S. ––––, 136 S.Ct. 1257, 194 L.Ed.2d 387 (2016), that its decision in Johnson announced a substantive rule that has a retroactive effect in cases on collateral review. Id. at 1268. In light of these holdings, on June 2, 2016, Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell issued a Standing Order "appoint[ing] the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Columbia to represent any defendant previously determined to have been entitled to appointment of counsel, or who is now indigent, to determine whether that defendant may qualify to seek to vacate a conviction or to seek a reduction of sentence or to present any motions to vacate a conviction and/or for reduction of sentence in accordance with Johnson and Welch ." Pursuant to the procedures set out in that Standing Order, Mr. Taylor, through counsel, filed an abridged [23] Motion Under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence on June 21, 2016. The motion currently is pending before this Court and further briefing on this motion was made in accordance with Chief Judge Howell's Standing Orders of June 2, 2016, and September 9, 2016, and subsequent order of this Court. Mr. Taylor argues that two of his prior convictions no longer qualify as violent felonies under the ACCA or crimes of violence under U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(a)(2) in light of the Supreme Court's holding in Johnson and, as such, requests that the Court correct his sentence. See generally Def.'s Supp. Mot., ECF No. [26].
With respect specifically to Mr. Taylor's arguments regarding the applicability of certain provisions of the U.S.S.G., the Court notes that the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ("D.C. Circuit") extended the reasoning of Johnson to the U.S.S.G., finding that the similarly worded residual clause of U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(b) also is unconstitutional under the void-for-vagueness doctrine. United States v. Sheffield , 832 F.3d 296, 312–13 (D.C. Cir. 2016). However, after briefing was complete on the instant motion, the Supreme Court in Beckles v. United States , ––– U.S. ––––, 137 S.Ct. 886, 197 L.Ed.2d 145 (2017), held that the residual clause of U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(a)(2) is not void for vagueness because the U.S.S.G. are not subject to a vagueness challenges under the due process clause. Id. at 890. The Supreme Court noted that its holding did not render the U.S.S.G. immune from constitutional scrutiny, including scrutiny under the due process clause. Id. at 895–96. Rather, the majority opinion of the Supreme Court held specifically that the void-for-vagueness doctrine was inapplicable to the advisory U.S.S.G. Id. at 896. The Supreme Court explained: "Unlike the ACCA, ... the advisory Guidelines do not fix the permissible range of sentences. To the contrary, they merely guide the exercise of a court's discretion in choosing an appropriate sentence within the statutory range." Id. at 892. The Supreme Court also noted that the U.S.S.G. were initially binding but were subsequently rendered advisory by the Court through its decision in United States v. Booker , 543 U.S. 220, 233, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005). Id. at 893–94. As noted above, Mr. Taylor was sentenced prior to Booker .
Given that Beckles was decided after the instant motion was briefed, neither party has discussed the import, if any, of the Supreme Court's decision in Beckles to Mr. Taylor's conviction and sentence imposed prior to Booker. See id. at 903 n.4 (Sotomayor, J., concurring) ("The Court's adherence to the formalistic distinction between mandatory and advisory rules at least leaves open the question whether defendants sentenced to terms of imprisonment before our decision in ... Booker. may mount vagueness attacks on their sentences.").
The Court has determined that it need not reach this issue of the applicability of the U.S.S.G. at this juncture. Rather, the Court's analysis shall focus on whether Mr. Taylor's prior offenses constitute violent felonies under the ACCA. For the reasons described below, the Court finds that Mr. Taylor was improperly sentenced to a mandatory minimum sentence under the ACCA and, accordingly, must be resentenced. As such, the Court shall allow the parties to make any arguments regarding the applicability of the U.S.S.G. in the memoranda in aid of sentencing prior to resentencing.
II. LEGAL STANDARD
Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, a prisoner in custody under sentence of a federal court may move the sentencing court to vacate, set aside, or correct its sentence if the prisoner believes that the sentence was imposed "in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States, or that the court was without jurisdiction to impose such sentence, or that the sentence was in excess of the maximum authorized by law, or is otherwise subject to collateral attack." 28 U.S.C. § 2255(a). The circumstances under which such a motion will be granted, however, are limited in light of the premium placed on the finality of judgments and the opportunities prisoners have to raise most of their objections during trial or on direct appeal. "[T]o obtain collateral relief a prisoner must clear a significantly higher hurdle than would exist on direct appeal." United States v. Frady , 456 U.S. 152, 166, 102 S.Ct. 1584, 71 L.Ed.2d 816 (1982). Nonetheless, "[u]nless the motion and the files and records of the case conclusively show that the prisoner is entitled to no relief, the court shall ... grant a prompt hearing thereon, determine the issues and make findings of fact and conclusions of law with respect thereto." 28 U.S.C. § 2255(b). A prisoner may not raise a claim as part of a collateral attack if that claim could have been raised on direct appeal, unless he can demonstrate either: (1) "cause" for his failure to do so and "prejudice" as a result of the alleged violation, or (2) "actual innocence" of the crime of which he was convicted. Bousley v. United States , 523 U.S. 614, 622, 118 S.Ct. 1604, 140 L.Ed.2d 828 (1998).
III. DISCUSSION
A. Procedural Requirements
The Government first argues that Mr. Taylor's claims are not properly before this Court for several reasons. Generally, a criminal defendant may bring a § 2255 within one year of the date upon which his or her judgment of conviction becomes final or within one year of certain other events which essentially reset the clock on the one-year period. See generally 28 U.S.C. § 2255(f). In relevant part, section 2255 provides that a motion brought under this section may be brought within one year of "the date on which the right asserted was initially recognized by the Supreme Court, if that right has been newly recognized by the Supreme Court and made retroactively applicable to cases on collateral review." Id. § 2255(f)(3). It is undisputed that the Supreme Court's holding in Johnson v. United States , ––– U.S. ––––, 135 S.Ct. 2551, 192 L.Ed.2d 569 (2015) (" Johnson (2015)") declaring the residual clause of the ACCA unconstitutional was a newly recognized right made retroactively applicable to cases on collateral review. Welch , 136 S.Ct. at 1268. It also is undisputed that Mr. Taylor timely raised any claims made under Johnson (2015) pursuant to the procedures set forth in this jurisdiction by Chief Judge Howell. However, the Government asserts that Mr. Taylor's claims nevertheless fail because: (1) this Court did not actually rely on the residual clause of the ACCA when sentencing Mr. Taylor; (2) Mr. Taylor's claims are untimely because his argument does not rely on the Supreme Court's decision in Johnson (2015), but rather on an earlier-decided Supreme Court case; and (3) Mr. Taylor's claims are procedurally defaulted because he has not demonstrated cause and prejudice for his failure to raise these claims on direct appeal. The Court shall address each argument in turn.
1. This Court's Reliance on the Residual Clause at Sentencing
First, the Government asserts that Mr. Taylor has not demonstrated that this Court actually relied on the residual clause of the ACCA with respect to Mr. Taylor's prior convictions. While it is true that the record in this case does not conclusively show that the Court relied on the residual clause of the ACCA rather than the elements clause at the time of sentencing, this does not bar Mr. Taylor's claim. First, the Court does not accept the Government's premise that a criminal defendant must make an affirmative showing that the sentencing court relied on the residual clause rather than the alternative elements clause of the ACCA in order to assert a claim under Johnson (2015). Indeed, this Court accepts the proposition, as recognized by other district courts in this jurisdiction and courts of other jurisdictions, that it is sufficient for a criminal defendant to show that a sentencing judge might have relied on the residual clause in order to proceed. See United States v. Wilson , No. CR 96-0157 (ESH), 249 F.Supp.3d 305, 310–12, 2017 WL 1383644, at *3 (D.D.C. Apr. 18, 2017) (Huvelle, J.) (collecting cases).
As District Judge Paul L. Friedman recognized, to hold otherwise would create an "absurd result." United States v. Booker , No. CR 04-0049 (PLF), 240 F.Supp.3d 164, 168–70, 2017 WL 829094, at *4 (D.D.C. Mar. 2, 2017). At the time of Mr. Taylor's sentencing, a court was not required to specify which clause it was relying on to find that the particular offenses qualified as violent felonies under the ACCA and U.S.S.G. Id. at 167–68, at *3. Nor is it likely that a sentencing judge would have seen the need to make such a specification several years (in this case, nearly 12 years) before the Supreme Court declared the residual clause unconstitutional. Further, prior convictions that did not meet the requirements of the elements clause often satisfied the residual clause. Id. As such, to impose the restriction advanced by the Government, certain criminal defendants would be barred from raising an otherwise cognizable claim under Johnson (2015) because the sentencing judge did not specify which clause she was relying on at a time when that was not required and it could not have been foreseen that such a specification was necessary. As such, the Court accepts that Mr. Taylor must show only that this Court may have relied on the residual clause in order to proceed.
As a practical matter, it is clear from the record that the Court imposed the 15–year term of imprisonment as a mandatory minimum in light of the prior convictions. As discussed further below, the Court considered two of Mr. Taylor's prior offenses as "violent felonies" under the ACCA. The Court did not specify in reaching this determination whether it was relying on the elements clause or the unconstitutional residual clause. As such, the Court has determined this is a sufficient showing in order for Mr. Taylor's claims under Johnson (2015) to proceed.
2. Timeliness of Mr. Taylor's Claims
The Government next argues that Mr. Taylor's claims are untimely because the claims actually are based on the Supreme Court's decision in Johnson v. United States , 559 U.S. 133, 140, 130 S.Ct. 1265, 176 L.Ed.2d 1 (2010) (" Johnson (2010)"), not Johnson (2015), and, as such, should have been raised within one year of the former decision. In Johnson (2010), the Supreme Court held that the term "physical force" as included in the elements clause of the ACCA means "violent force—that is, force capable of causing physical pain or injury to another person." Johnson (2010), 559 U.S. at 140, 130 S.Ct. 1265. As discussed above, in Johnson (2015), the Supreme Court found the residual clause of the ACCA unconstitutional.
Here, the Government is correct that Mr. Taylor relies in part on the Supreme Court's decision in Johnson (2010) in his arguments that his Maryland assault with intent to rape and D.C. assault with a dangerous weapon convictions do not qualify as "violent felonies" under the elements clause of the ACCA or "crimes of violence" under the U.S.S.G. in light of the definition of "physical force." However, Mr. Taylor advances this argument because those convictions cannot qualify as "violent felonies" under the residual clause in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Johnson (2015). Indeed, " ‘[i]t is only as a result of 2015 Johnson 's voiding of the residual clause that [defendant] could reasonably argue that he is no longer eligible for the ACCA enhancement.’ " Wilson , 249 F.Supp.3d at 313, 2017 WL 1383644, at *4 (quoting Diaz v. United States , No. 1:11–cr–0381, 2016 WL 4524785, at *5 (W.D.N.Y. Aug. 30, 2016) ). Accordingly, the Court finds that Mr. Taylor's arguments are sufficiently based on the right that was newly recognized by the Supreme Court in Johnson (2015) and, because the motion was filed within one year of that decision, the claims were timely raised.
3. Procedural Default
The Government argues that Mr. Taylor's claims are barred by the procedural default rule which "generally precludes consideration of an argument made on collateral review that was not made on direct appeal, unless the defendant shows cause and prejudice." United States v. Hughes , 514 F.3d 15, 17 (D.C. Cir. 2008). "The procedural default rule is neither a statutory nor a constitutional requirement, but it is a doctrine adhered to by the courts to conserve judicial resources and to respect the law's important interest in the finality of judgments." Massaro v. United States , 538 U.S. 500, 504, 123 S.Ct. 1690, 155 L.Ed.2d 714 (2003).
Here, it is undisputed that Mr. Taylor did not previously raise his claims. However, Mr. Taylor asserts that he has demonstrated cause and prejudice sufficient to overcome the procedural default rule. Further, Mr. Taylor notes he is not requesting that the Court vacate his conviction, but rather that the Court simply correct his sentence. The Government asserts that Mr. Taylor has procedurally defaulted his claims because: (1) he agreed as part of the plea that he would likely be considered an Armed Career Criminal and agreed at sentencing that the prior convictions were "violent felonies"; and (2) he failed to argue before this Court or on appeal that the residual clause was unconstitutionally vague or that his prior convictions would not satisfy the requirements of the elements clause. While the Government raises each of these arguments, it only fleshes out its argument that Mr. Taylor should have raised his Johnson (2010) claims regarding the definition of a violent felony under the elements clause either before this Court or on direct appeal because these claims were not so novel at the time of sentencing that their legal basis was not reasonably available. Indeed, the Government's position is that Mr. Taylor has not demonstrated "cause" for failing to raise those arguments before this time. See Govt.'s Opp'n at 11–13. The Court finds that Mr. Taylor has not procedurally defaulted his claims for the reasons described herein.
As an initial matter, the Court emphasizes that Mr. Taylor's failure to raise his claims related to the elements clause of the ACCA can only be considered in the context of the timing of Mr. Taylor's plea and sentencing, which was when the residual clause was available as an alternative basis to find that a particular conviction qualified under the ACCA. The Court rejects the Government's position that the Court must consider whether Mr. Taylor made an argument that his prior convictions did not qualify under the elements clause when the residual clause had not yet been declared unconstitutional. As such, the issue before the Court is whether Mr. Taylor can demonstrate cause and prejudice for failing to argue that his two prior convictions were not "violent felonies" under either the elements clause or the residual clause at the time of his plea and sentencing or on direct appeal.
Turning first to the issue of cause, the Supreme Court explained that " ‘futility cannot constitute cause if it means simply that a claim was ‘unacceptable to that particular court at that particular time.’ " Bousley , 523 U.S. at 623, 118 S.Ct. 1604 (quoting Engle v. Isaac , 456 U.S. 107, 130 n.35, 102 S.Ct. 1558, 71 L.Ed.2d 783 (1982) ). However, "a claim that ‘is so novel that its legal basis is not reasonably available to counsel’ may constitute cause for a procedural default.’ " Id. at 622, 118 S.Ct. 1604 (quoting Reed v. Ross , 468 U.S. 1, 16, 104 S.Ct. 2901, 82 L.Ed.2d 1 (1984) ). First, as the D.C. Circuit noted, "it is fair to say that no one—the government, the judge, or ... [the defendant]—could reasonably have anticipated Johnson [ (2015) ]." Redrick , 841 F.3d at 480. Indeed, on two separate occasions following Mr. Taylor's sentencing, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the ACCA's residual clause before ultimately finding it void for vagueness in Johnson (2015). See generally Sykes v. United States , 564 U.S. 1, 131 (S.Ct. 2267, 180 L.Ed.2d 60 2011) ; James v. United States , 550 U.S. 192, 127 S.Ct. 1586, 167 L.Ed.2d 532 (2007). Moreover, the Supreme Court has unequivocally announced that the rule in Johnson (2015) is applicable retroactively on collateral review. The Court agrees with other district courts in this jurisdiction that until the Supreme Court's decision in Johnson (2015), there was no reasonable basis to challenge the constitutionality of the residual clause and this is sufficient to establish cause. See Booker , 240 F.Supp.3d at 170–71, 2017 WL 829094, at *5 (Friedman, J.); United States v. Brown , No. CR 09-358 (EGS), 249 F.Supp.3d 287, 292–93, 2017 WL 1383640, at *4 (D.D.C. Apr. 12, 2017) (Sullivan, J.); Wilson , 249 F.Supp.3d at 310–12, 2017 WL 1383644, at *3 (Huvelle, J.).
Turning next to the issue of prejudice, a defendant must show that " ‘there is a reasonable probability that, but for [the errors], the result of the proceeding would have been different.’ " United States v. Pettigrew , 346 F.3d 1139, 1144 (D.C. Cir. 2003) (quoting United States v. Dale , 140 F.3d 1054, 1056 n.3 (D.C. Cir. 1998) ). Here, Mr. Taylor asserts that he was improperly subjected to a 15–year mandatory minimum sentence under the ACCA that, in light of the Supreme Court's holding in Johnson (2015), is not applicable to him. Certainly, if Mr. Taylor's claims have merit, he has sufficiently demonstrated that he was prejudiced by being improperly sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment. The Court finds this is sufficient to establish prejudice for the purposes of the procedural default rule. However, whether Mr. Taylor was actually prejudiced requires a review of the merits of his claims.
B. Merits of Mr. Taylor's § 2255
Here, Mr. Taylor argues that he no longer qualifies for an enhanced sentence under the ACCA in light of the Supreme Court's holding in Johnson (2015). The record in this case does not clarify which clause of the ACCA this Court relied on in applying the 15–year mandatory minimum. As previously mentioned, the Court considered three of Mr. Taylor's prior convictions: a D.C. conviction for distribution of cocaine; a Maryland conviction for assault with intent to rape ("AWIR"); and a D.C. conviction for assault with a dangerous weapon ("ADW"). Mr. Taylor concedes that his conviction in D.C. for distribution of cocaine qualifies as a "serious drug offense." Def.'s Supp. Mot. at 5. As such, in light of the Supreme Court's ruling that the residual clause is unconstitutionally vague, the question before the Court is whether Mr. Taylor's two other prior convictions, Maryland AWIR and D.C. ADW, are "violent felonies" under either the elements clause or the enumerated clause. The parties agree that these two offenses are not included in the enumerated clause. However, the parties disagree as to whether these convictions qualify as violent felonies under the elements clause. Mr. Taylor argues that neither prior conviction qualifies as such and, accordingly, requests that the Court correct his sentence to reflect that he does not have three qualifying prior convictions to be sentenced under the ACCA 15–year mandatory minimum. The Government argues that Mr. Taylor's sentence is correct because both prior convictions qualify as violent felonies under the elements clause.
The elements clause, codified at § 924(e)(2)(B)(i), defines a qualifying offense as one that "has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another." The provision does not define "physical force." However, the Supreme Court has clarified that in this context "physical force" means "violent force—that is, force capable of causing physical pain or injury to another person." Johnson (2010), 559 U.S. at 140, 130 S.Ct. 1265.
In determining whether a particular offense fits within this definition, this Court must either apply the "categorical approach" or the "modified categorical approach." The modified categorical approach is reserved for those rare instances where the statutory offense is divisible, and under that approach, the Court would be permitted to review certain documents to determine whether a particular offense included an element of violence. Sheffield , 832 F.3d at 314 (citing Descamps v. United States , 570 U.S. 254, 133 S.Ct. 2276, 2283–84, 186 L.Ed.2d 438 (2013) ). A statute is divisible when it "comprises multiple, alternative versions of the crime." Descamps , 133 S.Ct. at 2284–85. See also Mathis v. United States , ––– U.S. ––––, 136 S.Ct. 2243, 2251, 195 L.Ed.2d 604 (2016) (clarifying that a statute is divisible if it defines alternative "elements," but not if it merely defines alternative "means" of committing the offense).
The parties in this case agree that the D.C. assault with a dangerous weapon statute is not divisible. Mr. Taylor further contends that the Maryland assault with intent to rape statute is not divisible, but the Government asserts in its Surreply that, "[if] the Court finds that an assault with intent to rape can encompass an assault with intent to commit a statutory rape that does not involve force," it is arguable that the assault with intent to rape statute is divisible and the modified categorical approach can be used to permit review of the indictment and criminal jury instructions. See Govt.'s Surreply at 4–7 (emphasis added). Because the Court does not find that an assault with intent to rape encompasses a statutory rape that does not involve force, the Court need not reach the Government's alternative argument. Accordingly, in this case, the Court employs the categorical approach to analyze both statutes. The categorical approach requires the Court to look only at the statutory definition of a particular prior offense and not at the particular facts underlying the convictions. Descamps v. United States , 570 U.S. 254, 133 S.Ct. 2276, 2283, 186 L.Ed.2d 438 (2013). As the D.C. Circuit explained:
The Court notes that the Government previously proposed use of the categorical approach. See Govt.'s Opp'n at 7. Furthermore, the Government's argument in its Surreply goes beyond the scope of this Court's May 17, 2017 Order, ECF No. [38], which permitted the Government to file a Surreply for purposes of "addressing only Mr. Taylor's arguments related to determining the elements of the offense of Maryland assault with intent to rape in light of Mr. Taylor's reliance on the language of the Maryland Code, Article 27, § 12, in effect in October 1992 ...." The Govt.'s Surreply at 1–4 addresses this discrete issue.
[I]n asking whether a prior crime qualifies as a violent felony, we look at the state or federal statute under which a defendant has been convicted and ask simply whether the elements of the prior crime meet the Act's definitions of a violent felony. If a prior conviction is based on a statute that sweeps more broadly than this federal definition—let us say, a conviction could be based on a minor battery—such a conviction cannot qualify as a violent felony under the force [or elements] clause.
Redrick , 841 F.3d at 482. In sum, the Court must employ a two-step process. First, the Court must determine the elements of the state law offenses at issue. Second, the Court must determine whether the force required to commit the state law offense is equivalent to the force required by § 924(e)(2)(B)(i), namely the use, attempted use, or threatened use of violent force capable of causing physical pain or injury to another person. If the state statute requires the equivalent level of force, then the prior conviction qualifies as a violent felony under the elements clause. Otherwise, it does not qualify.
Maryland AWIR conviction
In order to establish the Maryland AWIR offense pursuant to Md. Code Ann., art. 27, § 12, the government must prove three elements: "(1) an assault, (2) with an intention to have carnal knowledge of a female, and (3) a purpose to carry into effect this intention with force and against the consent of the female." Christian v. State , 405 Md. 306, 951 A.2d 832, 838 n.6 (2008) (citing Middleton v. State , 6 Md.App. 380, 251 A.2d 224, 227 (1969) ). The parties do not dispute that an assault alone, as defined in Maryland, is categorically not a violent felony under the elements clause because this offense includes any unlawful touching, whether it is violent or nonviolent and no matter how slight. In support of this proposition, both parties cite to United States v. Royal , 731 F.3d 333, 342 (4th Cir. 2013), in which the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held that Maryland's second-degree assault statute did meet the requirements of a violent felony under the ACCA. Indeed, in reaching this decision, the Fourth Circuit noted that to be convicted of an assault of the battery variety under Maryland law requires proof of the following elements: " ‘(1) the defendant caused offensive physical contact with, or harm to, the victim; (2) the contact was the result of an intentional or reckless act of the defendant and was not accidental; and (3) the contact was not consented to by the victim or was not legally justified.’ " Royal , 731 F.3d at 341 (quoting Nicolas v. State , 426 Md. 385, 44 A.3d 396, 407 (2012) ). As the Fourth Circuit pointed out, an assault in Maryland can be accomplished either based on "offensive physical contact" or "physical harm." Id. at 341. As such, the Court is left to determine whether an assault that may be accomplished through mere offensive physical contact, no matter how slight, coupled with the second and third elements requires a level of force equal to that required by § 924(e)(2)(B)(i). For the reasons described herein, the Court finds that the Maryland AWIR offense does meet the definition of a violent felony.
The parties agree that these are the elements of the offense of Maryland AWIR. Def.'s Mot. at 18; Govt.'s Opp'n at 14.
The parties' arguments center around two main issues: (1) the amount of force required to commit the crime of rape in Maryland which is relevant to the Court's inquiry; and (2) the amount of force required to commit the crime of AWIR in Maryland which is the determinative issue before the Court. The Court shall address each argument in turn. The Government argues that "where an assault is committed with the specific intent and purpose to rape, the resulting crime necessarily requires the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force." Govt.'s Opp'n at 14. Specifically, the Government argues that the requisite level of force is necessary to be convicted of Maryland AWIR because the crime of rape in Maryland qualifies as a violent felony and, as such, an assault with the attempt to commit a violent felony must satisfy the elements clause. Mr. Taylor contests the Government's argument that the crime of rape necessarily requires the requisite use of force required under the elements clause of the ACCA.
At the time of Mr. Taylor's conviction, Maryland enacted statutes to criminalize first and second degree rape. First degree rape criminalizes the act of vaginal intercourse with another by force or the threat of force and without the consent, coupled with other aggravating circumstances, such as the use or display of a weapon. Maryland Code (1957, 1992 Repl.Vol.) Art. 27, § 462. Neither party disputes that first degree rape would qualify as a violent felony under the ACCA. Second degree rape does not include the aggravating circumstances required for first degree rape. Rather, second degree rape requires a person to engage in vaginal intercourse with another person:
(1) By force or threat of force against the will and without the consent of the other person; or
(2) Who is mentally defective, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless, and the person performing the act knows or should reasonably know the other person is mentally defective, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless; or
(3) Who is under 14 years of age and the person performing the act is at least four years older than the victim.
Garnett , 632 A.2d at 798 (quoting Maryland Code (1957, 1992 Repl.Vol.) Art. 27, § 463).
As Mr. Taylor points out, Maryland AWIR covers an assault with the intent to commit not just first degree rape, but also second degree rape. See Walker v. State , 53 Md.App. 171, 452 A.2d 1234, 1245 (1982) ("The intended rape for the statutory assault need only be a generalized rape in the second degree with none of the special violence that makes for rape in the first degree."). Mr. Taylor contends that second degree rape in Maryland can be committed with the use of no force because it includes statutory rape, "a strict liability offense that does not require the State to prove mens rea. " Garnett v. State , 332 Md. 571, 632 A.2d 797, 804 (1993). While Mr. Taylor is correct that statutory rape, a type of second degree rape, does not require the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force capable of causing physical pain or injury to another person, the offense of AWIR requires proof that the criminal defendant had "a purpose to carry into effect this intention with force and against the consent of the female ." As such, the statute contemplates that the intended rape must be forcible and nonconsensual.
Given that the elements of the AWIR preclude Mr. Taylor's argument that a defendant may have the intent to commit a non-forcible rape, the Court is left to consider that the assault must be completed with the intent to commit a forcible rape contemplated by the statutes—first degree (or aggravated) rape and second degree rape accomplished "[b]y force or threat of force against the will and without the consent of the other person." While the actual use of violent force is not required to commit the Maryland offense of rape, "the evidence must warrant a conclusion either that the victim resisted and her resistance was overcome by force or that she was prevented from resisting by threats to her safety." Hazel v. State , 221 Md. 464, 157 A.2d 922, 925 (1960) (defining common law rape prior to the enactment of the Maryland statutes criminalizing rape); State v. Rusk , 289 Md. 230, 424 A.2d 720, 726, 728 (1981) (adopting the definition of requisite force described in Hazel , noting that force and lack of consent are essential elements of rape, and finding that "threats of force need not be made in any particular manner in order to put a person in fear of bodily harm"). As such, forcible first or second degree rape appear to qualify as violent felonies under the ACCA.
The Court is then left to determine whether an assault (a crime that does not qualify as a violent felony under the elements clause) with the intent to commit a forcible rape (a crime that does qualify as a violent felony under the elements clause) has violent force (the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force capable of causing physical pain or injury to another person) as an element. See United States v. Chacon , 533 F.3d 250, 255 (4th Cir. 2008), cert. denied 555 U.S. 1140, 129 S.Ct. 1000, 173 L.Ed.2d 298 (2009) (finding that a violation of the first subpart of the Maryland second degree rape statute plainly constitutes a crime of violence because it has an element of the use or threat of force). Here, a criminal defendant convicted of Maryland AWIR would have been convicted, at a minimum, based on the attempted use of violent force capable of causing physical pain or injury to another person necessary to commit a forcible rape. As such, the Court finds that Maryland AWIR satisfies the elements clause of the ACCA.
While the Supreme Court left open the issue of whether a court may consider not just the relevant state statute's text, but also the judicial ruling interpreting it, the Court notes that Maryland caselaw supports this Court's holding. Descamps v. United States , 570 U.S. 254, 133 S.Ct. 2276, 2291, 186 L.Ed.2d 438 (2013) ; Redrick , 841 F.3d at 482 n.5 (D.C. Cir. 2016). The Court of Appeals of Maryland explained that "[t]o constitute the crime of an assault with intent to rape, the indictment must charge force, and the proof must establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the attempt was committed with force , to justify a conviction." Weinecke v. State , 188 Md. 172, 52 A.2d 73, 75 (1947) (emphasis added) (distinguishing the crime of assault with intent to rape from assault with intent to have carnal knowledge of a woman child under the age of fourteen years which does not require proof that the attempt was made with force); see Christensen v. State , 33 Md.App. 635, 365 A.2d 562, 565 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. 1976) (distinguishing between assault with intent to rape and attempted rape which does not require an assault). Further, the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland explained, "[A]ssault with intent to rape would seem to qualify as a specific form of the more general crime of attempted rape." Walker v. State , 53 Md.App. 171, 452 A.2d 1234, 1245 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. 1982). Indeed, the court reasoned,
The Court notes that both parties rely on caselaw in support of their arguments.
Although it is easy to imagine an attempted rape not involving an assault, ... it is difficult to imagine an assault with intent to rape that would not, ipso facto , constitute an attempted rape. The intent element already being present, the act of assault would certainly quality, under attempt law, as the "act in furtherance of that intent going beyond mere preparation."
Id. (internal citation removed) (quoting Gray v. State , 43 Md.App. 238, 403 A.2d 853, 855, 857 n.7 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. 1979) ).
The parties have not pointed to, nor has the Court been able to locate, caselaw that appears to clarify the level of force necessary to satisfy this requirement of the AWIR statute, nor do the elements of the offense appear to require any force above that required to commit an assault. However, caselaw demonstrates two important points: (1) Maryland AWIR requires an attempt committed with force; and (2) Maryland AWIR appears to constitute an attempted rape coupled with an assault and the specific intent to commit a rape. As such, the Maryland offense of AWIR at a minimum requires an attempt committed with force to commit a forcible rape , an offense which requires the requisite level of violent force. The Court finds that the Maryland offense of AWIR necessarily includes at a minimum an element of the attempted use (although it may also include the use or threatened use) of violent force—that is, force capable of causing physical pain or injury to another person—because it requires the specific intent to carry out a rape through the use of force or threatened use of force and an attempt coupled with some level of force to achieve that end.
a. D.C. ADW conviction
The offense of D.C. ADW, codified at D.C. Code § 22–402, consists of four elements:
(1) "an attempt, with force or violence, to injure another, or a menacing threat, which may or may not be accompanied by a specific intent to injure;" (2) "the apparent present ability to injure the victim;" (3) a general "intent to commit the acts which constitute the assault;" and (4) "the use of a dangerous weapon in committing the assault."
Spencer v. United States , 991 A.2d 1185, 1192 (D.C. 2010) (quoting Williamson v. United States , 445 A.2d 975, 978–79 (D.C. 1982) ). This first three elements constitute a simple assault in D.C. and the fourth element is unique to the crime of ADW. Id. Mr. Taylor advances two arguments as to why D.C. ADW does not satisfy the elements clause of the ACCA: (1) D.C. ADW can be violated without the use of violent physical force; and (2) D.C. ADW can be violated with a reckless mens rea. The Court shall address each in turn.
Similarly, the D.C. Pattern Jury Instructions describe the elements as (1) simple assault that is (2) carried out with a dangerous weapon. See D.C. Crim. Jury Instructions § 4.101.
With respect to the requisite use of force, the Government concedes that D.C. simple assault does not require the use of violent force contemplated by the ACCA because it may be carried out through the mere use of a menacing threat. As such, the Court focuses its analysis on the additional requirement of "the use of a dangerous weapon in committing the assault." While "[n]ot every crime becomes a crime of violence when committed with a deadly weapon," United States v. Rede–Mendez , 680 F.3d 552, 558 (6th Cir. 2012), the Court is required to look at the elements of this particular offense. Mr. Taylor relies primarily on the definition of a dangerous weapon in D.C., which Mr. Taylor asserts is expansive, in support of his argument.
The D.C. Court of Appeals recognized that any object "may constitute a dangerous weapon under an aggravated assault statute when used in a manner likely to cause great bodily harm, and that an object's dangerousness is ordinarily a question for the jury." In re D.T. , 977 A.2d 346, 350 (D.C. 2009). Mr. Taylor then argues that some objects that would be considered "dangerous weapons" under the statute, like "poison, a tranquilizer, a barrier, and hazardous chemicals," do not require the use of violent, physical force. Def.'s Supp. Mot. at 27. To bolster this position, Mr. Taylor points to two cases in which lye was considered a dangerous weapon for the purposes of a conviction under the D.C. ADW statute, see Tatum v. United States , 110 F.2d 555, 556 (D.C. Cir. 1940) ; Sloan v. United States , 527 A.2d 1277, 1280 (D.C. 1987), and one in which a spray bottle of gasoline was considered a dangerous weapon, Savage–El v. United States , 902 A.2d 120, 214–25 (D.C. 2006).
The Government asserts that Mr. Taylor's arguments regarding the requisite use of force for the offense of D.C. ADW offense are foreclosed by the D.C. Circuit's recent opinion in United States v. Redrick , 841 F.3d 478 (D.C. Cir. 2016). In Redrick , the D.C. Circuit held that the Maryland offense of armed robbery qualifies as a violent felony under the elements clause. Id. at 485. Similar to the crime at issue here, the D.C. Circuit found in Redrick that robbery in Maryland is not a violent felony. Id. at 482. However, the D.C. Circuit found that the Maryland offense of armed robbery required the "use of a dangerous or deadly weapon." Id. at 484. Relying on this point, the D.C. Circuit distinguished the Maryland crime from the Massachusetts crime of armed robbery which the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit previously held did not constitute a violent felony under the elements clause. Id. (citing United States v. Parnell , 818 F.3d 974 (9th Cir. 2016) ). The D.C. Circuit in Redrick noted that the Massachusetts statute, unlike the Maryland offense, did not require the "use" of a dangerous or deadly weapon in that the victim did not even need to be aware of the presence of the weapon. Id. The D.C. Circuit found the Maryland offense distinguishable because of the requirement of the "use" of the weapon. Id.
Unlike the Massachusetts statute, the D.C. ADW offense at issue here considers the circumstances as viewed from the perspective of the victim. See Perry v. United States , 36 A.3d 799, 811 (D.C. 2011) (quoting Sousa v. United States , 400 A.2d 1036, 1044 (D.C. 1979) ) ("It is not the secret intent of the assaulting party, nor the undisclosed fact of his ability or inability to commit a battery that is material, but what his conduct and the attending circumstances denote at the time to the party assaulted.").
The D.C. Circuit also focused on the type of weapon that would constitute a dangerous or deadly weapon for the purposes of the crime of Maryland armed robbery. The Maryland offense indeed has a more extensive definition than that provided for D.C. ADW. Specifically, a "deadly or dangerous weapon" for the crime of Maryland armed robbery is defined as an instrument:
"(1) designed as ‘anything used or designed to be used in destroying, defeating, or injuring an enemy, or as an instrument of offensive or defensive combat’; (2) under the circumstances of the case, immediately useable to inflict serious or deadly harm (e.g., unloaded gun or starter's pistol useable as a bludgeon); or (3) actually used in a way likely to inflict that sort of harm (e.g., microphone cord used as a garrote). "
Id. at 484 n.6 (quoting Brooks v. State , 314 Md. 585, 552 A.2d 872, 880 (Md. 1989) ) (emphasis added). In Redrick , the D.C. Circuit rejected the defendant's argument that the conduct covered swept too broadly because the weapon at issue could include poison, an open flame, or a lethal bacteria. Id. at 484. The D.C. Circuit noted first that it "doubt[ed] these weapons could be administered without at least some level of physical force," and ultimately found "the hypotheticals ... to farfetched to give ... [the court] pause." Id.
The D.C. Circuit's opinion in Redrick is instructive in this Court's analysis for a number of reasons. First, both Maryland robbery and D.C. assault (without the use of a weapon) are not violent felonies under the elements clause of the ACCA because they do not require the requisite use of physical force. Second, both Maryland robbery and D.C. assault are necessarily crimes against a person. See id. Third, both Maryland armed robbery and D.C. ADW have an element requiring the use of a dangerous weapon (the Maryland offense also allows for use of a "deadly" weapon). Finally, while the Maryland offense of armed robbery has a lengthier definition of what constitutes a "deadly or dangerous weapon," the last provision of the definition is similar to definition used for the D.C. ADW offense. Indeed, the Maryland definition includes an instrument "actually used in a way likely to inflict that sort of harm [serious or deadly] (e.g., microphone cord used as a garrote)," and the D.C. definition is an object "used in a manner likely to cause great bodily harm."
Mr. Taylor makes two arguments as to why the D.C. Circuit's decision in Redrick is distinguishable. First, Mr. Taylor asserts that the D.C. definition of a dangerous weapon sweeps more broadly than that of the Maryland definition. The Court rejects this argument based on the third clause of the Maryland definition which the Court finds substantially similar to the D.C. definition as described above. Second, Mr. Taylor asserts that that there is a realistic probability that D.C. ADW, unlike Maryland armed robbery, would be accomplished through the use of materials requiring less than violent physical force. Indeed, as previously discussed, Mr. Taylor relies on the cases in which D.C. ADW convictions were supported through the use of lye and gasoline. The Court agrees with Mr. Taylor that unlike the Maryland offense of armed robbery, it is far more likely that an assault with a dangerous weapon would be accomplished through the use of an object like a poison that could be administered without the use of violent physical force as required under the ACCA. C.f. Brown , No. CR 09-358 (EGS), 249 F.Supp.3d at 296–97, 2017 WL 1383640, at *7 (finding that the North Carolina offense of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill was not a violent felony under the ACCA's elements clause because at least one case reflected a conviction based on a secret poisoning). As such, the Court agrees that a person could be convicted of D.C. ADW without using the requisite violent, physical force necessary to qualify as a violent felony under the ACCA.
While the Government relies on the Supreme Court's holding in Castleman to support its position, Castleman addresses the common law use of force, not the higher level of force required under the ACCA and, accordingly, is distinguishable. See United States v. Castleman , ––– U.S. ––––, 134 S.Ct. 1405, 1410, 1414–15, 188 L.Ed.2d 426 (2014).
Turning next to the issue of the requisite mens rea , the parties agree that reckless conduct is sufficient to support a conviction for D.C. ADW. Vines v. United States , 70 A.3d 1170, 1180 (D.C. 2013), as amended (Sept. 19, 2013) ("[A] conviction for ADW can be sustained by proof of reckless conduct alone."). However, the parties disagree as to whether a violent felony under the elements clause includes offenses that can be accomplished recklessly, meaning without the intentional use, attempted use, or threatened use of violent force. This appears to be an open issue in this jurisdiction.
Three Supreme Court cases addressing similarly worded provisions of two different statutes are of particular importance in reaching a decision on this issue. In 2004, the Supreme Court addressed whether a conviction in Florida for driving under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury classified as a "crime of violence" under 18 U.S.C. § 16(a), which defines a crime of violence in a similar manner as the elements clause of the ACCA. Leocal v. Ashcroft , 543 U.S. 1, 4–5, 125 S.Ct. 377, 160 L.Ed.2d 271 (2004). As the Supreme Court explained, it granted certiorari in that case "to resolve a conflict among the Court of Appeals on the question whether state DUI offenses similar to the one in Florida, which either do not have a mens rea component or require only a showing of negligence in the operation of a vehicle, qualify as a crime of violence." Id. at 6, 125 S.Ct. 377. The Supreme Court found that "[t]he key phrase in § 16(a) —the ‘use ... of physical force against the person or property of another’—most naturally suggests a higher degree of intent than negligent or merely accidental conduct." Id. at 8, 125 S.Ct. 377. As such, the Supreme Court held that the defendant's conviction did not qualify as a crime of violence under § 16(a). Id. However, the Supreme Court specifically noted that the case did not involve the question of whether a state statute requiring proof of the reckless , rather than negligent, use of force against a person or property qualified as a crime of violence under § 16. Id. at 13, 125 S.Ct. 377.
At issue in that case was whether the defendant had committed an "aggravated felony" under the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA"), which adopted the definition of a crime of violence under § 16, rendering him deportable. Leocal , 543 U.S. at 4, 125 S.Ct. 377.
In 2014, the Supreme Court addressed the meaning of the phrase "the use ... of physical force," as referenced in 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), which prohibits a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm. United States v. Castleman , ––– U.S. ––––, 134 S.Ct. 1405, 1408–09, 188 L.Ed.2d 426 (2014). In that case, the Supreme Court considered the Tennessee offense of assaulting a family or household member, which incorporated by reference a Tennessee statute defining assault. Id. at 1413. The Supreme Court noted that not every type of assault in the statute involved the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon as required under § 922(g)(9). Id. at 1413–14. Indeed, the Court noted that "the merely reckless causation of bodily injury under ... [a provision of the Tennessee assault statute] may not be a ‘use’ of force." Id. at 1414 (emphasis added). However, the Supreme Court did not reach a decision on this issue because the Court found that the statute was divisible and, employing the modified categorical approach, found that the defendant violated a different provision of the statute that required the knowing or intentional application of force. Id. In a footnote, the Supreme Court referenced its 2004 decision discussed above, noting that it expressly reserved the question of whether the reckless application of force constituted the "use" of force. Id. at 1414 n.8. However, the Court noted that "the Court of Appeals have almost uniformly held that recklessness is not sufficient." Id.
In 2016, the Supreme Court again discussed § 922(g)(9), but in this instance addressed the issue of "whether misdemeanor assault convictions for reckless (as contrasted to knowing or intentional) conduct trigger the statutory firearms ban." Voisine v. United States , ––– U.S. ––––, 136 S.Ct. 2272, 2276, 195 L.Ed.2d 736 (2016). In that case, the Supreme Court held that a "misdemeanor crime of violence," which requires that the offense have "as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force," includes assault convictions in the domestic context for reckless conduct. Id. at 2278. In reaching this holding the Court considered the definition of the word "use," id. at 2278–80, and the legislative history of § 922(g)(9), id. at 2280–82. However, the Supreme Court expressly left open the question of whether the reckless use of force would be sufficient to meet the requirements of a "crime of violence" under 18 U.S.C. § 16(a). Id. at 2279–80. In a footnote, the Supreme Court referenced § 922(g)(9) and § 16(a), noting "[c]ourts have sometimes given those two statutory definitions divergent readings in light of the differences in their context and purposes, and we do not foreclose the possibility with respect to their required mental states." Id. at 2280 n.4. With respect to its 2004 decision described above, the Court noted "[a]ll we say here is that ... [the] exclusion of accidental conduct [in the earlier decision] from a definition hinging on the ‘use’ of force is in no way inconsistent with our inclusion of reckless conduct in a similarly worded provision." Id. As such, the issue remains open as to whether a reckless application of force is sufficient to meet the requirements of the elements clause of the ACCA. The Government urges the Court to apply the Supreme Court's ruling regarding § 922(g)(9) to the instant issue and Mr. Taylor seeks to distinguish this holding.
Two district court judges in this jurisdiction have sided with Mr. Taylor's argument that a statute requiring only the reckless application of force does not meet the requirements of the ACCA's elements clause. Indeed, District Judge James E. Boasberg recently accepted this argument at a sentencing hearing and held that D.C. ADW does not constitute a violent felony under the elements clause of the ACCA because it covers reckless conduct. U.S. v. Haight , Case No. 1:15–cr–00088 (D.D.C.), Sent'g Hrg. Tr. (Dec. 1, 2016), at 3–8, ECF No. [106]. Further, District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan recently addressed the North Carolina crime of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and reached a similar conclusion. Brown , No. CR 09-358 (EGS), 249 F.Supp.3d at 296–99, 2017 WL 1383640, at *7–*9. Judge Sullivan noted that the majority of courts to reach this issue have found a conviction that only requires a mens rea of recklessness does not satisfy the elements clause of the ACCA. See id. at 296–97, at *7 (citing Bennett v. United States , Nos. 94–11, 16–251, 2016 WL 3676145, at *3 (D. Me. July 6, 2016) (collecting cases)). While the state statute at issue in that case is distinguishable in that it merely required culpable or criminal negligence, rather than recklessness, Judge Sullivan's analysis remains persuasive. Id. at 298–99, at *9.
The Government's appeal of this sentence currently is being briefed before the D.C. Circuit. U.S. v. Haight , Case No. 17–3002 (D.C. Cir.) (filed Jan. 23, 2017).
Specifically, as noted by Judge Sullivan, the Supreme Court previously defined "force" as used in the ACCA and in § 922(g)(9) in different manners. Id. at *8, 125 S.Ct. 377. In Johnson (2010), with respect to violent felonies, the Supreme Court held that the violent application of force was required to satisfy the elements clause of the ACCA. Johnson (2010), 559 U.S. at 140, 130 S.Ct. 1265. However, with respect to misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, the Supreme Court, applying the common law definition, held that a mere offensive touching was sufficient to satisfy the force requirement of § 922(g). Castleman , 134 S.Ct. at 1410. The Supreme Court explained this distinction by noting that: (1) perpetrators of domestic violence are routinely prosecuted under assault or battery laws; (2) "domestic violence" is a term of art that encompasses acts that may not be considered violent in a nondomestic context; (3) section 922(g) sets forth several different criteria that preclude a person from gun ownership, only one of which deals with prior convictions for domestic violence offenses; and (4) to exclude misdemeanors that include mere offensive touching from the definition of force in § 922(g) would render the provision inoperative in many states. Id. at 1410–13. Here, the rationale provided for distinguishing the level of force required to satisfy similarly worded statutes appears to support the conclusion that a higher level of mens rea is required to violate the ACCA when the purpose of the ACCA is to determine whether certain defendants should be classified as armed career criminals based on their prior felony convictions and subjected to a 15–year mandatory minimum. Indeed, Judge Sullivan found the mere "linguistic similarity" between § 922(g) and the elements clause of the ACCA does not necessarily mean that reckless conduct is sufficient to satisfy the latter. Brown , No. CR 09-358 (EGS), 249 F.Supp.3d at 297–98, 2017 WL 1383640, at *8. Rather, Judge Sullivan was persuaded that "[t]he primary reason for the difference between the holdings ... seems to be that the Supreme Court has concluded that ‘when Congress defines a misdemeanor, it intends a lower bar for culpability than when it defines a felony, even when it uses some of the same words to describe both types of offenses.’ " Id. (quoting United States v. Sabetta , 221 F.Supp.3d 210, 223 (D.R.I. 2016), reconsideration denied , No. 00-CR-135-S-PAS, 2016 WL 7174618 (D.R.I. Dec. 8, 2016) ). "Thus, ‘the lower mens rea sufficient for a predicate misdemeanor is not necessarily sufficient for a violent felony.’ " Id. (quoting Sabetta , 221 F.Supp.3d at 223 ). The Court is persuaded by this line of reasoning.
The Court agrees that a state statute that requires the mere reckless application of force, such as D.C. ADW, does not meet the requirements of the elements clause of the ACCA. The Court notes that in reaching this conclusion, it reaches a contrary holding to some other courts addressing this issue. See, e.g. , United States v. Howell , 838 F.3d 489, 501–02 (5th Cir. 2016), cert. denied ––– U.S. ––––, 137 S.Ct. 1108, 197 L.Ed.2d 212 (2017) (holding that the mental state of recklessness is sufficient for an offense to qualify as a crime of violence under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(a)(1) ); United States v. Fogg , 836 F.3d 951, 956 (8th Cir. 2016), cert. denied ––– U.S. ––––, 137 S.Ct. 2117, 198 L.Ed.2d 203 (2017) (finding that reckless conduct constitutes the use of force under the ACCA). For the reasons described, the Court has determined that Mr. Taylor has only two, not three, qualifying convictions and, as such, is entitled to be resentenced because he was improperly subjected to a 15–year mandatory minimum sentence pursuant to § 924(e).
IV. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that Mr. Taylor is entitled to have his sentence corrected. Specifically, the Court finds that Mr. Taylor's prior conviction for the D.C. offense of ADW does not qualify as a violent felony under the ACCA and, as such, Mr. Taylor should not have been subject to the 15–year mandatory minimum in light of the Supreme Court's holding in Johnson (2015). The Court further finds that Mr. Taylor's prior conviction for Maryland AWIR does qualify as a violent felony under the ACCA. The Court shall reserve ruling on Mr. Taylor's arguments related to the U.S.S.G. until resentencing. Accordingly, Mr. Taylor's [23] Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence, and Mr. Taylor's [26] Supplemental Motion to Vacate Judgment Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 are GRANTED.
An appropriate Order accompanies this Memorandum Opinion.