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U.S. v. Callejas

United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Apr 10, 2007
221 F. App'x 772 (10th Cir. 2007)

Summary

comparing dismissal of certificate of appealability to affirmance in habeas proceeding

Summary of this case from United States v. Sandoval

Opinion

No. 06-2132.

April 10, 2007.

David N. Williams, Asst. U.S. Attorney, David C. Iglesias, U.S. Attorney, Office of the United States Attorney District of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, for Plaintiff-Appellee.

Carmelo Callejas, Beaumont, TX, pro se.

Before BRISCOE, McKAY, and McCONNELL, Circuit Judges.


ORDER AND JUDGMENT

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). This case is therefore 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 This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel.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.


A jury convicted Carmelo Callejas in 2001 on five counts of criminal conduct. He was sentenced to 248 months in prison. This Court has twice affirmed that sentence — once on direct appeal, United States v. Callejas, 66 Fed.Appx. 826 (10th Cir. 2003) (unpublished), and again in dismissing Mr. Callejas's application for a certificate of appealability under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, United States v. Callejas, 137 Fed.Appx. 175 (10th Cir. 2005) (unpublished). Following the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), Mr. Callejas brought a third challenge to his sentence, which he styled as a "Motion to Eliminate Enhancements and Reduce Sentence." The district court dismissed his motion, holding that Mr. Callejas could collaterally challenge his sentence only via § 2255. Mem. Order, 1-3.

The district court is correct. Section 2255 provides the exclusive means for collateral attack of a federal criminal sentence. Baker v. Sheriff of Santa Fe County, 477 F.2d 118, 119 (10th Cir. 1973). We note, however, that even were Mr. Callejas to petition this Court to authorize a second § 2255 application, as required by 28 U.S.C. § 2244(3), his petition would fail. Defendants may not raise a Booker claim in a second or successive § 2255 motion, as Booker did not announce a new, retroactive rule of constitutional law. Bey v. United States, 399 F.3d 1266, 1268-69 (10th Cir. 2005).

The judgment of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico is AFFIRMED. The government's motion to dismiss is DENIED.


Summaries of

U.S. v. Callejas

United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Apr 10, 2007
221 F. App'x 772 (10th Cir. 2007)

comparing dismissal of certificate of appealability to affirmance in habeas proceeding

Summary of this case from United States v. Sandoval
Case details for

U.S. v. Callejas

Case Details

Full title:UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Carmelo CALLEJAS…

Court:United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit

Date published: Apr 10, 2007

Citations

221 F. App'x 772 (10th Cir. 2007)

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