In Re Renato Acosta, Movant, 480 F.3d 421 (6th Cir. 2007)

Renato Acosta, a federal prisoner proceeding pro se, moves this court for an order authorizing the district court to consider a second or successive motion to vacate his sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 2244, 2255 ¶ 8.

In 2004, in accordance with a plea agreement, Acosta entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with [480 F.3d 422] 422 intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846.

Acosta was subsequently sentenced to 115 months of imprisonment. In 2005, Acosta filed a motion to vacate his sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. A magistrate judge reviewed the motion and determined that Acosta had waived his right to collaterally attack his sentence by the terms of his plea agreement, which he was competent to execute. Nevertheless, the magistrate judge found that Acosta's claims lacked merit and recommended denying the motion. The district court adopted the magistrate judge's recommendation. Acosta did not appeal.

In June 2006, Acosta filed a motion seeking leave to file a motion for collateral review in the district court in order to challenge his sentence on a number of grounds. The district court determined the motion was a successive § 2255 motion and transferred it to us for consideration.

The government asserts that dismissal is in order as Acosta waived his right to collaterally attack his sentence in the plea agreement he executed. We have held that a defendant's informed and voluntary waiver of the right to collaterally attack a conviction and sentence is enforceable. See Watson v. United States, 165 F.3d 486, 489 (6th Cir. 1999); see also United States v. McGilvery, 403 F.3d 361, 363 (6th Cir. 2005) (enforcing waiver of right to appeal). It is worth emphasizing the distinction between appeals like this one, that simply relate to issues a defendant has validly agreed not to appeal or attack collaterally, from those that go to the very validity of a guilty plea. For example, in cases where a defendant argues that his plea was not knowing or voluntary, or was the product of ineffective assistance of counsel under Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52, 106 S. Ct. 366, 88 L. Ed. 2d 203 (1985), it would be entirely circular for the government to argue that the defendant has waived his right to an appeal or a collateral attack when the substance of his claim challenges the very validity of the waiver itself.¹  See Watson, 165 F.3d at 489 ("A knowing and voluntary waiver of a statutory right is enforceable. While we do not hold that [a defendant's] waiver categorically forecloses him from bringing any section 2255 proceeding, such as a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel or involuntariness of waiver, the question of the degree of his culpability is an issue clearly contemplated by, and subject to, his plea agreement.") (quoting United States v. Abarca, 985 F.2d 1012, 1014 (9th Cir. 1993)). In prior cases where we have enforced a waiver provision, it has been clear that the defendant did not articulate a basis for attacking the validity of his plea.²  See McGilvery, 403 F.3d at 363 n. 2; Watson, 165 F.3d at 489.

Acosta has not raised a challenge that goes to the validity of his waiver, such as a claim that the waiver was involuntary or the product of ineffective assistance of counsel. Further, it is apparent from the record that the district court complied with Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(b) (1) (N), "which requires that, before a guilty plea is accepted, the court must inform the defendant of, and [480 F.3d 423] 423 determine that the defendant understands, the terms of any appellate-waiver provision in the plea agreement." McGilvery, 403 F.3d at 363.³  We find that the waiver was valid and Acosta may not collaterally attack his sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255.⁴  See Caruthers, 458 F.3d at 472 n. 6. Accordingly, we cannot grant him leave to file a successive motion to vacate. The motion is denied.