UNITED STATES v. COX (2020)

Ingram Cox appeals his conviction and 168-month sentence imposed following his guilty plea to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute heroin. On appeal, Cox contends that his plea counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to advise him that he could be held responsible for his coconspirators’ reasonably foreseeable acts. However, “[u]nless an attorney's ineffectiveness conclusively appears on the face of the record, such claims are not addressed on direct appeal.” United States v. Faulls, 821 F.3d 502, 507-08 (4th Cir. 2016). Because we discern no such evidence “on the face of this record, we conclude that [Cox's] claim should be raised, if at all, in a 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion.” Id.

Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal. 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.

DISMISSED

PER CURIAM:

Dismissed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.