Major Becton v. United States

___________ No. 96-1868 ___________ Major Becton, * * Appellant, * * Appeal from the United States v. * District Court for the * Eastern District of Missouri. United States of America, * * [UNPUBLISHED] Appellee. * ___________ Submitted: August 29, 1996 Filed: September 10, 1996 ___________ Before BEAM, HANSEN, and MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD, Circuit Judges. ___________ PER CURIAM. Major Becton pleaded guilty to several narcotics offenses and was sentenced to 156 months imprisonment. Prior to his plea, federal agents had seized cash representing drug proceeds; some of the cash was administratively forfeited, and some was the subject of a judicial forfeiture action that was dismissed after Becton's sentencing. Becton then filed this 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion, contending that the government had successively prosecuted him for the same conduct, in violation of the Double Jeopardy Clause. The district court1 rejected this contention, and Becton appeals. We note that, contrary to Becton's assertion on appeal, the district court's order clearly indicated the court's reasons for denying the motion. Upon our de novo review, we conclude that 1 The Honorable Stephen N. Limbaugh, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri. Becton was not entitled to relief on his double jeopardy claim. See United ates v. Ursery l forfeitures & (7) are neither punishment nor criminal for purposes of Double Jeopardy Clause). A true copy. Attest: -2-