Summary
noting lack of factual dispute to warrant evidentiary hearing
Summary of this case from United States v. BriscoeOpinion
No. 08-10667 Summary Calendar.
March 26, 2010.
Vicki H. Lamberson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas, Amarillo, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Bonita L. Gunden, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Federal Public Defender's Office, Northern District of Texas, Amarillo, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, USDC No. 2:93-CR-29-12.
Before GAEZA, CLEMENT, and OWEN, Circuit Judges.
Antonio Turner, federal prisoner #05839-031, appeals the district court's denial of his 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) motion to reduce his sentence following the recent amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines for crack cocaine offenses. Turner argues that the district court erred by failing to consider the sentencing factors of 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) and by denying his motion on the basis of his prison disciplinary record without first holding an evidentiary hearing.
Section § 3582 directs the court to consider the sentencing factors of § 3553(a). See § 3582(c); United States v. Evans, 587 F.3d 667, 673 (5th Cir. 2009), petition for cert. filed (Jan. 28, 2010) (No. 09-8939). However, the court is not required to provide reasons for its denial of a § 3582 motion or to explain its consideration of the § 3553(a) factors. See Evans, 587 F.3d at 674. If the record shows that the district court gave due consideration to the motion as a whole and implicitly considered the § 3553(a) factors, then there is no abuse of discretion. See United States v. Cooley, 590 F.3d 293, 298 (5th Cir. 2009); United States v. Whitebird 55 F.3d 1007, 1010 (5th Cir. 1995).
The district court had the benefit of Turner's § 3582(c)(2) motion, two completed § 3582 motion questionnaire forms, Turner's original Presentence Investigation Report and Addendum, and the probation officer's worksheet and supplemental report regarding Turner's eligibility for a reduction of sentence. On one of the questionnaire forms, Turner specifically discussed the information he wanted the court to consider in evaluating the § 3553(a) factors. In addition, the probation officer's worksheet included a section discussing the § 3553(a) factors, particularly the nature and circumstances of Turner's underlying offense. Thus, the record reflects that the district court considered Turner's motion and implicitly considered the § 3553(a) factors. See Evans, 587 F.3d at 673; Whitebird, 55 F.3d at 1010.
To the extent Turner is arguing that the district court erred by basing the denial of his motion on his extensive prison disciplinary record, the 2008 amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines allow a court to consider a defendant's post-sentencing conduct. U.S.S.G. § 1B1.10, comment. (n.l(B)(iii)). In addition, we have "decline[d] to hold that a district court cannot consider post-conviction conduct in determining whether to grant a sentencing reduction under § 3582(c)(2)." United States v. Smith, 595 F.3d 1322 (5th Cir. 2010).
Turner also argues that the district court erred by denying his motion without holding an evidentiary healing. Because it involves only a modification of a previously imposed sentence, a defendant need not be present at a § 3582(c) proceeding. See FED.R.CRIM.P. 43(b)(4). Moreover, because he failed to challenge the probation officer's Supplemental Report, Turner concedes there were no facts in dispute to warrant an evidentiary hearing.
AFFIRMED.