United States v. Pratt

Danny C. Reeves, Chief Judge United States District Court Eastern District of Kentucky

Defendant Roy Dean Pratt has filed a motion requesting appointment of counsel for the purposes of: (1) seeking compassionate release; and (2) enforcement of sentencing conditions regarding placement at a medical facility. [Record No. 82] He does not seek affirmative relief on either ground.

Pratt is not constitutionally or statutorily entitled to counsel in a proceeding involving a claim under 18 U.S.C. § 3582, the statute that includes the applicable compassionate release provisions. See United States v. Clark, No. 6: 07-013-DCR, 2019 WL 7161209, at *2 (E.D. Ky. Feb. 14, 2019) (citing United States v. Webb, 565 F.3d 789 (11th Cir. 2009) (collecting cases)). Instead, the decision to appoint counsel is within the Court's discretion, but appointment of counsel is unnecessary where the issues raised in a § 3582 motion "are straightforward and resolvable upon review of the record." Id. Here, the issues will be straightforward and resolvable upon review of the present record and any supporting documentation submitted by the defendant because Pratt indicates that his claim will be based on health problems and COVID-19. [Record No. 82] Thus, the Court will decline to appoint counsel for the purposes of filing a compassionate release motion.

Additionally, the Court will not appoint counsel for Pratt to attempt to litigate his placement at certain Bureau of Prisons ("BOP") facilities. The Court committed the defendant to the custody of the BOP when it sentenced him in March 2016. [Record No. 39] The BOP maintains the authority to designate his place of imprisonment, and this decision accounts for medical needs. 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b). Moreover, "a designation of a place of imprisonment . . . is not reviewable by any court." Id. Because Pratt cannot challenge his placement in this Court, appointment of counsel to litigate this issue would be futile.

Accordingly, it is hereby

ORDERED that Defendant Roy Dean Pratt's motion seeking appointment of counsel [Record No. 82] is DENIED.

Dated: August 3, 2020.

Danny C. Reeves, Chief Judge

United States District Court

Eastern District of Kentucky