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UNITED STATES v. LOFTIS (2021)

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.2021-06-24No. No. 19-30228

Summary

Holding. The court affirmed Loftis's 82-month sentence, granting his former counsel's motion to withdraw.

Joseph Brent Loftis was convicted by jury of wire fraud and money laundering and received an 82-month sentence following remand for resentencing. Loftis appealed with assistance of counsel who filed an Anders brief indicating no viable grounds for appeal, while Loftis also submitted arguments on his own behalf. The appellate court conducted independent review of the record and found no arguable basis for relief, determining that the district court properly calculated the sentencing guidelines range on remand.

Summary generated by law.co from the public-domain opinion. The opinion text itself is public domain.

Key issues

  • Whether the district court correctly calculated the sentencing guidelines range on remand
  • Procedural bar on raising new arguments not presented in the initial direct appeal
  • Preservation of ineffective assistance of counsel claims for collateral review

Procedural posture

Loftis appealed his resentencing following remand from a prior appeal, raising arguments both through counsel under Anders procedures and pro se.

Authorities cited

No cited authorities resolved to law.co cases yet.

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Joseph Brent Loftis appeals from the 82-month sentence imposed upon remand for resentencing following his jury-trial convictions for multiple counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957. Pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), Loftiss counsel has filed a brief stating that there are no grounds for relief, along with a motion to withdraw as counsel of record. Loftis has filed a pro se supplemental opening brief. No answering brief has been filed.

Our independent review of the record pursuant to Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 80, 109 S.Ct. 346, 102 L.Ed.2d 300 (1988), discloses no arguable grounds for relief on direct appeal. Contrary to Loftiss pro se assertion, the district court correctly calculated the Guidelines range on remand. Loftiss additional pro se arguments cannot be raised in the instant appeal because they were not raised in his first appeal. See United States v. James, 109 F.3d 597, 599 (9th Cir. 1997) (claim that is not raised in first direct appeal may not be raised in second appeal). We do not reach on direct appeal Loftiss claim that his counsel from his first appeal provided ineffective assistance. See United States v. Rahman, 642 F.3d 1257, 1259-60 (9th Cir. 2011). Loftis may raise that claim, as well as any other claim requiring development of facts outside the record, in a 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion.

Counsels motion to withdraw is GRANTED.

AFFIRMED.