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United States of America v. John W. Lebron
Date: 12-25-2021
Case Number: 20-13314
Judge: Before JORDAN, ROSENBAUM, and NEWSOM, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM
Court:
United States Court of Appeals
For the Eleventh Circuit
On appeal from The Appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Atlanta, GA - Best Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
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Description:
Lebron is serving a total sentence of 312 months in prison
imposed in 2013 for several fraud crimes and a probation violation
arising from an earlier drug case. In 2020, he filed a pro se motion
for a reduction in his sentence under § 3582(c)(1)(A), alleging that
his sentence was excessive and that he was at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 because of hypertension and
anxiety. He attached various documents to his motion, including
prison medical records and a letter from the warden denying Lebron's request to bring a § 3582(c)(1)(A) motion on his behalf.
The government opposed relief, arguing that Lebron failed
to exhaust his administrative remedies by fully appealing the warden's denial, that his medical records failed to show the presence
of an extraordinary and compelling medical reason for release, and
that the applicable 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors strongly weighed
against granting a sentence reduction.
USCA11 Case: 20-13314 Date Filed: 11/19/2021 Page: 2 of 7
20-13314 Opinion of the Court 3
The district court denied a sentence reduction "[f]or the reasons sufficiently explained†in the government's opposition to Lebron's motion. Those reasons, according to the court, included that
Lebron "has not exhausted his administrative remedies and has not
demonstrated that he has any medical conditions that satisfy the
requirements for compassionate release.†The court also wrote
that Lebron "presents no fact or argument that shows his entitlement to compassionate release.â€
Lebron timely moved to vacate the denial order, asserting
that he never received a copy of the government's response. The
court refused to vacate its order, stating that Lebron had "no right
to reply,†but it directed the clerk to send him a copy of the government's response. Lebron then brought this appeal.
On appeal, Lebron, pro se, contends that the district court
erred in finding that he failed to exhaust his administrative remedies and that the court's order fails to allow for meaningful appellate review. The government argues we should affirm the district
court on grounds other than the administrative-exhaustion requirement.
II.
We review a district court's denial of a prisoner's
§ 3582(c)(1)(A) motion for an abuse of discretion. United States v.
Harris, 989 F.3d 908, 911 (11th Cir. 2021).
Under § 3582(c)(1)(A), a district court may grant a defendant's motion for a sentence reduction, after considering the
USCA11 Case: 20-13314 Date Filed: 11/19/2021 Page: 3 of 7
4 Opinion of the Court 20-13314
§ 3553(a) factors, "if it finds that . . . extraordinary and compelling
reasons warrant such a reduction†and that a "reduction is consistent with applicable policy statements†in the Sentencing Guidelines. 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). The failure to demonstrate an
extraordinary and compelling reason is alone sufficient to "foreclose a sentence reduction.†United States v. Tinker, 14 F.4th 1234,
1237–38 (11th Cir. 2021).
The commentary to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual
("U.S.S.G.â€) § 1B1.13, the applicable policy statement for sentence
reductions under § 3582(c)(1)(A), outlines circumstances which
may qualify as sufficiently "extraordinary and compelling.†See
United States v. Bryant, 996 F.3d 1243, 1262 (11th Cir. 2021) (holding that "district courts may not reduce a sentence under Section
3582(c)(1)(A) unless a reduction would be consistent with [§]
1B1.13â€). As relevant here, a non-terminal medical condition may
be grounds for a sentence reduction if it substantially diminishes a
prisoner's ability to provide self-care in custody and if it is one from
which he is not expected to recover. U.S.S.G. § 1B1.13, cmt. n.1(A).
While the commentary also authorizes relief for "other reasons,â€
id. § cmt. n.1(D), our precedent holds that such other reasons must
be determined by the Bureau of Prisons, not the courts. See Bryant, 996 F.3d at 1262–64.
Here, the district court didn't err by denying Lebron's motion for a sentence reduction under § 3582(c)(1)(A). To begin with,
the court "adequately explain[ed] its sentencing decision to allow
for meaningful appellate review.†United States v. Stevens, 997
USCA11 Case: 20-13314 Date Filed: 11/19/2021 Page: 4 of 7
20-13314 Opinion of the Court 5
F.3d 1307, 1317 (11th Cir. 2021); see also United States v. Potts, 997
F.3d 1142, 1145 (11th Cir. 2021). The court stated that it was denying the motion for the reasons explained by the government in its
response, which addressed Lebron's motion in detail. Cf. United
States v. Giron, 15 F.4th 1343 (11th Cir. 2021) (affirming based on
the government's response where "the district court adopted the
[g]overnment's response in full when denying compassionate releaseâ€). And it specifically highlighted two such reasons, finding
that Lebron "has not exhausted his administrative remedies and
has not demonstrated that he has any medical conditions that satisfy the requirements for compassionate release.†These statements are more than enough for us to identify and review the
court's reasons for denying a sentence reduction. See Stevens, 997
F.3d at 1317.
Turning to those reasons for denial, we assume without deciding that Lebron adequately exhausted his administrative remedies. See Harris, 989 F.3d at 911 (holding that the exhaustion requirement is not jurisdictional). Nevertheless, we affirm because
we agree with the district court and the government that Lebron
failed to demonstrate an extraordinary and compelling reason for
a sentence reduction. See Tinker, 14 F.4th at 1237–38.
In his motion, Lebron sought relief based on the COVID-19
pandemic and the increased risks of severe disease posed by two
medical conditions: (a) "severe hypertension†and (b) anxiety. But
he fails to explain how anxiety increased his risk of severe disease
from COVID-19. And the medical records he submitted don't
USCA11 Case: 20-13314 Date Filed: 11/19/2021 Page: 5 of 7
6 Opinion of the Court 20-13314
show that he's been diagnosed with or treated for hypertension at
all. Even assuming he suffers from some degree of hypertension,
as he claims, the court didn't err in finding that this relatively common condition, without more, was insufficient to warrant relief.
See Giron, 2021 WL 4771621, at *2 (affirming a finding that high
cholesterol, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease, in
light of COVID-19, were not extraordinary and compelling reasons
for early release); Harris, 989 F.3d at 912 (affirming a finding that
hypertension, in light of COVID-19, was not an extraordinary and
compelling reason for early release).
Finally, any error in failing to serve Lebron with a copy of
the government's response to his § 3582(c)(1)(A) motion or to give
him the opportunity to file a reply was harmless. See, e.g., United
States v. Pon, 963 F.3d 1207, 1221 (11th Cir. 2020) ("[A]n abuse of
discretion does not warrant reversal where the resulting error was
harmless.†(quotation marks omitted)). Lebron was not deprived
of a meaningful opportunity to contest the court's order orthe government's arguments. We have affirmed on a ground clearly identified in the court's order, and it appears that Lebron received a
copy of the response at least before he filed his initial brief in this
case, since the brief references the substance of the response.
Moreover, there's no indication the district court's decision would
have been different had Lebron been permitted an opportunity to
file a reply brief.
Atlanta, GA- Criminal defense lawyer represented defendant with several fraud crimes and a probation violation arising from an earlier drug case.
Lebron is serving a total sentence of 312 months in prison
imposed in 2013 for several fraud crimes and a probation violation
arising from an earlier drug case. In 2020, he filed a pro se motion
for a reduction in his sentence under § 3582(c)(1)(A), alleging that
his sentence was excessive and that he was at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 because of hypertension and
anxiety. He attached various documents to his motion, including
prison medical records and a letter from the warden denying Lebron's request to bring a § 3582(c)(1)(A) motion on his behalf.
The government opposed relief, arguing that Lebron failed
to exhaust his administrative remedies by fully appealing the warden's denial, that his medical records failed to show the presence
of an extraordinary and compelling medical reason for release, and
that the applicable 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors strongly weighed
against granting a sentence reduction.
USCA11 Case: 20-13314 Date Filed: 11/19/2021 Page: 2 of 7
20-13314 Opinion of the Court 3
The district court denied a sentence reduction "[f]or the reasons sufficiently explained†in the government's opposition to Lebron's motion. Those reasons, according to the court, included that
Lebron "has not exhausted his administrative remedies and has not
demonstrated that he has any medical conditions that satisfy the
requirements for compassionate release.†The court also wrote
that Lebron "presents no fact or argument that shows his entitlement to compassionate release.â€
Lebron timely moved to vacate the denial order, asserting
that he never received a copy of the government's response. The
court refused to vacate its order, stating that Lebron had "no right
to reply,†but it directed the clerk to send him a copy of the government's response. Lebron then brought this appeal.
On appeal, Lebron, pro se, contends that the district court
erred in finding that he failed to exhaust his administrative remedies and that the court's order fails to allow for meaningful appellate review. The government argues we should affirm the district
court on grounds other than the administrative-exhaustion requirement.
II.
We review a district court's denial of a prisoner's
§ 3582(c)(1)(A) motion for an abuse of discretion. United States v.
Harris, 989 F.3d 908, 911 (11th Cir. 2021).
Under § 3582(c)(1)(A), a district court may grant a defendant's motion for a sentence reduction, after considering the
USCA11 Case: 20-13314 Date Filed: 11/19/2021 Page: 3 of 7
4 Opinion of the Court 20-13314
§ 3553(a) factors, "if it finds that . . . extraordinary and compelling
reasons warrant such a reduction†and that a "reduction is consistent with applicable policy statements†in the Sentencing Guidelines. 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). The failure to demonstrate an
extraordinary and compelling reason is alone sufficient to "foreclose a sentence reduction.†United States v. Tinker, 14 F.4th 1234,
1237–38 (11th Cir. 2021).
The commentary to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual
("U.S.S.G.â€) § 1B1.13, the applicable policy statement for sentence
reductions under § 3582(c)(1)(A), outlines circumstances which
may qualify as sufficiently "extraordinary and compelling.†See
United States v. Bryant, 996 F.3d 1243, 1262 (11th Cir. 2021) (holding that "district courts may not reduce a sentence under Section
3582(c)(1)(A) unless a reduction would be consistent with [§]
1B1.13â€). As relevant here, a non-terminal medical condition may
be grounds for a sentence reduction if it substantially diminishes a
prisoner's ability to provide self-care in custody and if it is one from
which he is not expected to recover. U.S.S.G. § 1B1.13, cmt. n.1(A).
While the commentary also authorizes relief for "other reasons,â€
id. § cmt. n.1(D), our precedent holds that such other reasons must
be determined by the Bureau of Prisons, not the courts. See Bryant, 996 F.3d at 1262–64.
Here, the district court didn't err by denying Lebron's motion for a sentence reduction under § 3582(c)(1)(A). To begin with,
the court "adequately explain[ed] its sentencing decision to allow
for meaningful appellate review.†United States v. Stevens, 997
USCA11 Case: 20-13314 Date Filed: 11/19/2021 Page: 4 of 7
20-13314 Opinion of the Court 5
F.3d 1307, 1317 (11th Cir. 2021); see also United States v. Potts, 997
F.3d 1142, 1145 (11th Cir. 2021). The court stated that it was denying the motion for the reasons explained by the government in its
response, which addressed Lebron's motion in detail. Cf. United
States v. Giron, 15 F.4th 1343 (11th Cir. 2021) (affirming based on
the government's response where "the district court adopted the
[g]overnment's response in full when denying compassionate releaseâ€). And it specifically highlighted two such reasons, finding
that Lebron "has not exhausted his administrative remedies and
has not demonstrated that he has any medical conditions that satisfy the requirements for compassionate release.†These statements are more than enough for us to identify and review the
court's reasons for denying a sentence reduction. See Stevens, 997
F.3d at 1317.
Turning to those reasons for denial, we assume without deciding that Lebron adequately exhausted his administrative remedies. See Harris, 989 F.3d at 911 (holding that the exhaustion requirement is not jurisdictional). Nevertheless, we affirm because
we agree with the district court and the government that Lebron
failed to demonstrate an extraordinary and compelling reason for
a sentence reduction. See Tinker, 14 F.4th at 1237–38.
In his motion, Lebron sought relief based on the COVID-19
pandemic and the increased risks of severe disease posed by two
medical conditions: (a) "severe hypertension†and (b) anxiety. But
he fails to explain how anxiety increased his risk of severe disease
from COVID-19. And the medical records he submitted don't
USCA11 Case: 20-13314 Date Filed: 11/19/2021 Page: 5 of 7
6 Opinion of the Court 20-13314
show that he's been diagnosed with or treated for hypertension at
all. Even assuming he suffers from some degree of hypertension,
as he claims, the court didn't err in finding that this relatively common condition, without more, was insufficient to warrant relief.
See Giron, 2021 WL 4771621, at *2 (affirming a finding that high
cholesterol, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease, in
light of COVID-19, were not extraordinary and compelling reasons
for early release); Harris, 989 F.3d at 912 (affirming a finding that
hypertension, in light of COVID-19, was not an extraordinary and
compelling reason for early release).
Finally, any error in failing to serve Lebron with a copy of
the government's response to his § 3582(c)(1)(A) motion or to give
him the opportunity to file a reply was harmless. See, e.g., United
States v. Pon, 963 F.3d 1207, 1221 (11th Cir. 2020) ("[A]n abuse of
discretion does not warrant reversal where the resulting error was
harmless.†(quotation marks omitted)). Lebron was not deprived
of a meaningful opportunity to contest the court's order orthe government's arguments. We have affirmed on a ground clearly identified in the court's order, and it appears that Lebron received a
copy of the response at least before he filed his initial brief in this
case, since the brief references the substance of the response.
Moreover, there's no indication the district court's decision would
have been different had Lebron been permitted an opportunity to
file a reply brief.
Outcome:
For these reasons, we affirm the denial of Lebron’s motion
for a sentence reduction under § 3582(c)(1)(A).
AFFIRMED.
for a sentence reduction under § 3582(c)(1)(A).
AFFIRMED.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. John W. Lebron?
The outcome was: For these reasons, we affirm the denial of Lebron’s motion for a sentence reduction under § 3582(c)(1)(A). AFFIRMED.
Which court heard United States of America v. John W. Lebron?
This case was heard in <center><h4><b> United States Court of Appeals For the Eleventh Circuit </b> <br> <font color="green"><i>On appeal from The Appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida </i></font></center></h4>, GA. The presiding judge was Before JORDAN, ROSENBAUM, and NEWSOM, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. John W. Lebron?
Plaintiff's attorney: United States Attorney’s Office. Defendant's attorney: Atlanta, GA - Best Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory Tell MoreLaw About Your Litigation Successes and MoreLaw Will Tell the World. Re: MoreLaw National Jury Verdict and Settlement Counselor: MoreLaw collects and publishes civil and criminal litigation information from the state and federal courts nationwide. Publication is free and access to the information is free to the public. MoreLaw will publish litigation reports submitted by you free of charge Info@MoreLaw.com - 855-853-4800.
When was United States of America v. John W. Lebron decided?
This case was decided on December 25, 2021.