United States v. Cliff Krueger

Krueger appeals from the district court’s denial of his motion to reduce his sentence under the provisions of Rule 35, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. He had entered a plea of guilty to one count of a multiple-count indictment charging him with giving false information to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, and he was sentenced to two years imprisonment. Within the time prescribed by Rule 35, Krueger moved the district court to reduce his sentence. He filed in support of the motion a series of affidavits and letters from prison authorities praising his performance, his attitude, and his repentance during his incarceration. He also supplied his own letter.

The day after the motion had been filed the district court denied the motion without a hearing. The court observed in the order denying the motion:

Appellant contends that in denying the motion without entertaining argument from counsel and without a hearing, the district court abused its discretion. Alternatively, appellant argues that the district court did not exercise its discretion.

The district court denied the motion on the merits. The court’s indication that it was forwarding the documents to the Board of Parole was…