United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Rigoberto Hernandez-esquivel, Defendant-appellant, 990 F.2d 1262 (9th Cir. 1993)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Rigoberto Hernandez-Esquivel, a federal prisoner, appeals pro se the district court's denial of his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion to vacate his sentence. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, and we affirm.

Hernandez contends that (1) he received ineffective assistance of counsel because his counsel induced him into entering a guilty plea even though there was no factual basis for the plea, and (2) his plea was unconstitutional because the court accepted the plea although there was no factual basis for the plea. Hernandez's contentions lack merit.

We review de novo the district court's denial of a 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion. United States v. Angelone, 894 F.2d 1129, 1130 (9th Cir. 1990).

A defendant challenging a guilty plea based on the ineffective assistance of counsel must demonstrate "both that his counsel's performance was deficient and that the deficient performance prejudiced his defense." United States v. Signori, 844 F.2d 635, 638 (9th Cir. 1988). Deficient performance is representation outside the range of competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases, and prejudice means that, but for counsel's errors, the defendant would not have pleaded guilty. Iaea v. Sunn, 800 F.2d 861, 864-65 (9th Cir. 1986). A guilty plea is an admission of the allegations, and a criminal defendant cannot collaterally attack the factual basis of a voluntary and intelligent guilty plea. United States v. Mathews, 833 F.2d 161, 165 (9th Cir. 1987).

Here, Hernandez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of use and possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug trafficking crime. At the Rule 11 hearing, the district court conducted a thorough colloquy with Hernandez. In response to specific questioning by the court, Hernandez admitted the allegations that, on the date in question, he had in his possession over 600 grams of heroin, which he intended to distribute, and a loaded .38 caliber firearm.

Hernandez has failed to allege facts showing that his counsel's advice was deficient or that he was prejudiced by his counsel's conduct. See Iaea, 800 F.2d at 864-65. Therefore, the district court properly determined that Hernandez's plea was knowing and voluntary. See Signori, 844 F.2d at 638. Hernandez made a full admission to the allegations. He is precluded from attacking the factual basis of his plea. See Mathews, 833 F.2d at 165.

AFFIRMED.