UNITED STATES v. ARROYO (2018)

Ivan Arroyo appeals the 120-month sentence imposed following his guilty plea conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 6.896 kilograms of methamphetamine. He argues that his counsel was ineffective in failing to object to the absence of a recommendation in the presentence report for a reduction of his sentence under U.S.S.G. § 5C1.2(a), the safety valve provision. Further, he contends that his counsel was ineffective in failing to argue at sentencing that the safety valve provision should be applied to reduce his sentence.

We consider an ineffective assistance of counsel claim on direct appeal only in “rare cases in which the record allows a reviewing court to fairly evaluate the merits of the claim.” United States v. Isgar, 739 F.3d 829, 841 (5th Cir. 2014) (internal quotations omitted). This is not one of those rare cases, as the record sheds no light on trial counsel’s “conduct and motivations.” Id. (internal quotations omitted). We decline to consider Arroyo’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim on direct appeal, without prejudice to Arroyo’s right to seek collateral review of the claim.

AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

FOOTNOTE.  

PER CURIAM: * FN* Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.