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United States v. Robert Mertens
20-30182
| 9th Cir. | Jun 25, 2021
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*1 Before: SILVERMAN, WATFORD, and BENNETT, Circuit Judges.

Robert Leon Mertens appeals pro se from the district court’s order denying his motion for a sentence reduction under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . “[W] e review § 3582(c)(1) sentence reduction decisions for abuse of discretion ,” United States v. Aruda , 993 F.3d 797, *2 799 (9th Cir. 2021), and we affirm.

Mertens was sentenced in 2004 to 444 months’ imprisonment for convictions including distribution of and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, firearm possession, and money laundering. Since that time, he has filed two successful motions for a sentence reduction, resulting in a sentence of 314 months. In the instant motion, Mertens sought a further reduction, citing his ongoing rehabilitative efforts and changing societal attitudes regarding marijuana.

Contrary to Mertens’s contention, the record shows that the court considered his arguments and evidence showing that his rehabilitative efforts continued even after his two successful sentence reduction motions. The court did not abuse its discretion by concluding that those additional efforts, in addition to changing societal attitudes about marijuana, did not warrant a third sentence reduction. See United States v. Robertson , 895 F.3d 1206, 1213 (9th Cir. 2018) (district court abuses its discretion only if its decision is illogical, implausible, or not supported by the record).

Mertens’s “ Motion for a Notice to the Court and Request for a Hearing ” is denied.

AFFIRMED .

2 20-30182

[*] This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

[**] The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2).

Case Details

Case Name: United States v. Robert Mertens
Court Name: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Date Published: Jun 25, 2021
Docket Number: 20-30182
Court Abbreviation: 9th Cir.
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