UNITED STATES v. MCELRATHBEY (2020)

ORDER AND JUDGMENT *

Deon McElrathbey pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 113(a)(3) and 2. The district court sentenced him to 54 months’ imprisonment. Although his plea agreement contained a broad waiver of his appellate rights, he seeks to challenge his sentence through this appeal. The government has moved to enforce the appeal waiver in the plea agreement under United States v. Hahn, 359 F.3d 1315 (10th Cir. 2004) (en banc) (per curiam).

Under Hahn, we consider “(1) whether the disputed appeal falls within the scope of the waiver of appellate rights; (2) whether the defendant knowingly and voluntarily waived his appellate rights; and (3) whether enforcing the waiver would result in a miscarriage of justice.” Id. at 1325. The government asserts that all of the Hahn conditions have been satisfied: (1) McElrathbey's appeal is within the scope of the appeal waiver because his sentence was within the range contemplated by the plea agreement; (2) he knowingly and voluntarily waived his appellate rights; and (3) enforcing the waiver would not result in a miscarriage of justice. In response to the government's motion, McElrathbey, through counsel, states that he “does not oppose” the motion and “understands that [his] response in non-opposition to the [motion] will result in dismissal of his appeal by this [c]ourt, and consents to the same.” Resp. at 1.

Based on this concession and our independent review of the record, we grant the government's motion and dismiss the appeal. We do so, however, without prejudice to McElrathbey's right to pursue post-conviction relief on the grounds permitted in his plea agreement.

Per Curiam