UNITED STATES v. POWELL (2021)

Tony Edward Powell, federal prisoner # 61525-080, has appealed the denial of his motion for resentencing under the First Step Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-391, 132 Stat. 5194. Powell contends that the district court misapplied United States v. Hegwood, 934 F.3d 414 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, ––– U.S. ––––, 140 S. Ct. 285, 205 L.Ed.2d 195 (2019), in that it believed erroneously that it could not consider the sentencing exposure that Powell or a similarly situated defendant would face if he were sentenced today.

The record does not reflect that the district court's ruling resulted from an erroneous interpretation of the First Step Act of 2018 or Hegwood. See United States v. Batiste, 980 F.3d 466, 478 (5th Cir. 2020). Rather, “it is more plausible ․ that the district court, having evaluated all pertinent factors, simply exercised its statutory discretion to deny the motion.” Id. No abuse of discretion has been shown. See id. The district court's order is AFFIRMED.

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FOOTNOTE.  

Per Curiam:* FN* Pursuant to 5th Circuit Rule 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Circuit Rule 47.5.4.