UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MICHAEL SPEED (2017)

Michael Speed pled guilty pursuant to a plea agreement to one count each of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (2012); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (2012). After Speed entered his guilty plea but before he was sentenced, the parties agreed that circumstances justified allowing Speed to withdraw and reenter the guilty plea. The district court allowed Speed to withdraw and reenter his guilty plea, and ultimately sentenced Speed to 132 months in prison. Speed now argues that the district court committed plain error when it allowed Speed to withdraw his guilty plea without first considering the factors set forth in Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(d) and United States v. Moore, 931 F.2d 245 (4th Cir. 1991). Because Speed received what he requested in the district court, i.e., the opportunity to withdraw and reenter his guilty plea, and since Speed and the Government agreed there was a “fair and just reason” for Speed's original guilty plea to be vacated, we find Speed's assertions to be meritless. Thus, we affirm the district court's amended judgment. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED

PER CURIAM: