United States v. Gomez-Cavazos | Court Opinion

Opinions

No. 99-40754 -1-

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 99-40754 Conference Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

versus

JOSE ANGEL GOMEZ-CAVAZOS,

Defendant-Appellant.

-------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. C-88-CR-235-3 -------------------- February 17, 2000

Before EMILIO M. GARZA, BENAVIDES, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

Jose Angel Gomez-Cavazos (“Gomez”), a federal prisoner

(# 44886-079), seeks leave to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”)

on appeal of the denial of his “Motion for Dismissal of Fine.”

Gomez’s “Motion for Dismissal of Fine” is an “unauthorized”

motion over which the district court did not have jurisdiction.

See United States v. Early, 27 F.3d 140, 141-42 (5th Cir. 1994).

Although a fine imposed as part of sentence could be remitted

under either 18 U.S.C. § 3573 or FED. R. CRIM. P. 35(b), only the

Government is authorized to file motions under those provisions.

* 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. No. 99-40754 -2-

See id. at 141; United States v. Linker, 920 F.2d 1, 1-2 (7th

Cir. 1990). A monetary fine is not a sufficient restraint on

liberty to meet the “in custody” requirement for motions to

vacate filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. United States v. Segler, 37

F.3d 1131, 1137 (5th Cir. 1994). Finally, Gomez’s motion may not

be construed as a § 2241 motion because he is attacking the

imposition of part of his sentence rather than its execution.

See Davis v. Fechtel, 150 F.3d 486, 487 (5th Cir. 1998).

Because Gomez has not demonstrated that he will raise a

nonfrivolous issue on appeal, his motion to proceed IFP is

DENIED. See Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 220 (5th Cir. 1983).

Because the appeal is frivolous, it is DISMISSED. See 5TH CIR. R.

42.2.

IFP MOTION DENIED; APPEAL DISMISSED.