United States v. Formann

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 97-50764 Summary Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus ARTHUR FORMANN, Defendant-Appellant. - - - - - - - - - - Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. MO-96-CA-51 - - - - - - - - - - November 4, 1998 Before HIGGINBOTHAM, JONES, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Federal prisoner (#17501-077) Arthur Formann has appealed the denial, without an evidentiary hearing, of his motion to vacate, 28 U.S.C. § 2255. We AFFIRM. Formann is not entitled to relief on his claim that the presentence report was disclosed to him less than 10 days prior to sentencing, and that his counsel was ineffective for failing to object to this and to correct alleged inaccuracies in the presentence report. See United States v. Cervantes, 132 F.3d * 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 97-50764 -2- 1106, 1109 (5th Cir. 1998); Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 690 (1984). Formann contends that he is entitled to relief on grounds that his court-appointed counsel was ineffective in numerous other respects. We have determined that the district court did not err in denying relief relative to these claims. Formann contends that the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions. The court will not consider this claim because the evidence was held to be sufficient upon his direct appeal, United States v. Faulkner, 17 F.3d 751, 768-71 (5th Cir. 1994). See United States v. Kalish, 780 F.2d 506, 508 (5th Cir. 1986). Furthermore, Formann's claim that a government witness's testimony lacked credibility is not a valid basis for relief from a conviction. See United States v. Robles-Pantoja, 887 F.2d 1250, 1254-55 (5th Cir. 1989). Formann contends that he is entitled to relief on grounds that the trial court did not instruct the jury that materiality of a false statement is an element of willfully overvaluing land or property in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1014. He relies on United States v. Wells, 519 U.S. 482, 117 S.Ct. 921 (1997). The Wells Court held, however, that "materiality of falsehood is [not] an element of the crime of knowingly making a false statement to a federally insured bank, 18 U.S.C. § 1014." 117 S. Ct. at 924. Formann contends that he should be resentenced to home confinement, on authority of U.S.S.G. §§ 5H1.1 (age) and 5H1.4 No. 97-50764 -3- (poor physical condition). This claim is not cognizable in a § 2255 proceeding. See Cervantes, 132 F.3d at 1109. JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.