United States v. Goodwin

Opinion for the Court filed by Circuit Judge TATEL.

TATEL, Circuit Judge:

Following affirmance of his conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, appellant filed a 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion alleging, among other things, that defense counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to offer expert testimony in support of his request for a “reverse sting” departure pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1, Application Note 14. The district court denied the motion. Finding no prejudice, and rejecting appellant’s other arguments, we affirm.

I

Prior to his arrest for purchasing cocaine from…