UNITED STATES v. BROTHERS (2020)

Marvin Lee Brothers, a federal inmate, appeals the district court's order denying relief on his 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i) motion seeking to serve the remainder of his prison term at home. The district court denied the motion, finding, among other things, that it lacked the authority to order Brothers’ transfer to home confinement. Because Brothers does not dispute this determination on appeal, we conclude that he has forfeited appellate review of this issue. See 4th Cir. R. 34(b); Jackson v. Lightsey, 775 F.3d 170, 177 (4th Cir. 2014) (“The informal brief is an important document; under Fourth Circuit rules, our review is limited to issues preserved in that brief.”).

Brothers has also filed in this court a motion—which we construe as a motion for compassionate release—requesting either immediate release or that his remaining prison sentence be converted to a term of home confinement. However, we are unable to decide the merits of Brothers’ motion in the first instance. See United States v. Raia, 954 F.3d 594, 596 (3d Cir. 2020).

Accordingly, we affirm the district court's judgment and deny Brothers’ motions for compassionate release and appointment of counsel.^* 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

FOOTNOTES

FOOTNOTE.   We note that Brothers—whose request for release from prison has not yet been adjudicated on the merits—may still be able to obtain placement in home confinement from the Bureau of Prisons, see Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136, § 12003(b)(2), 134 Stat. 281, 516 (2020), or a reduction in his sentence from either the Bureau of Prisons or the district court, see 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). However, we express no opinion on the merits of any such request.

PER CURIAM:

Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.