439 F. Supp. 657

UNITED STATES v. Joseph RODRIGUEZ.

Crim. No. 75-474.

United States District Court, D. New Jersey.

Oct. 28, 1977.

Jonathan L. Goldstein, U. S. Atty. by William F. Maderer, Sp. Atty., Newark Strike Force, Newark, N. J., for plaintiff.

Joseph Rodriguez, pro se.

OPINION

STERN, District Judge.

On September 7, 1977, Mr. Rodriguez filed a pro se motion to vacate his sentence pursuant to Title 28 United States Code, § 2255. Although the allegations are somewhat opaque, it would appear that they are two-pronged: First, he claims that his guilty plea was made under duress. Second, he alleges that he pled guilty for the sole purpose .of receiving federal protective custody, and that the government told him that this was the only way in which he could receive such protection. For the reasons set forth below, this Court holds that defendant’s assertions are barred by his own representations in open court. Accordingly, defendant’s motion is denied.

On October 23, 1975, defendant waived indictment and entered a plea of guilty to a charge that he transported stolen property in interstate commerce, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, § 2314. Prior to accepting this plea, this Court conducted a full hearing pursuant to Rule 11, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. At this time, the government disclosed the nature of its plea bargain with the defendant, whereby it agreed, inter alia, to recommend a five-year sentence and to recommend to state authorities that defendant be kept under federal custody. Defendant was then examined under oath, at which time he unequivocally indicated to this Court that no other inducements or promises entered into his decision to plead guilty.1 Not only did this Court then go on to conduct a searching examination of the factual basis of defendant’s plea, but defendant himself made a full confession to the Court.2 At the time of sentencing, on April 26, 1976, the government fully complied with the terms of the plea bargain and recommended that the Court impose a five-year sentence.

*658Where, as here, the record conclusively demonstrates the falsity of a defendant’s claim based on his own prior sworn statements conducted at a proceeding which met all the requirements of United States v. Valenciano, 495 F.2d 585 (3rd Cir. 1974); Paradiso v. United States, 482 F.2d 409 (3rd Cir. 1973); and Rule 11, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, then an evidentiary hearing is unnecessary. See United States v. Martinez, 411 F.Supp. 1352 (D.N.J.), aff’d by judgment order, 547 F.2d 1162 (3rd Cir. 1977); and Stassi v. United States, 277 F.Supp. 439 (D.N.J.1976), aff’d by judgment order, 559 F.2d 1210 (3rd Cir. 1977).

Accordingly, defendant’s motion is denied. In addition, because this Court deems this motion to be without merit, defendant’s request for counsel is also denied.

United States v. Rodriguez
439 F. Supp. 657

Case Details

Name
United States v. Rodriguez
Decision Date
Oct 28, 1977
Citations

439 F. Supp. 657

Jurisdiction
United States

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