United States v. Miller

MEMORANDUM **

Gordon Owen Miller (“Miller”) appeals pro se from the district court’s denial of his petition for a writ of audita querela challenging his sentence for conspiracy and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 (a)(1) and 846. Miller argues on appeal that the sentencing court erred in enhancing his sentence based on a prior conviction because the government failed to comply with the requirements of 21 U.S.C. § 851 . Specifically, he alleges that the information that the government filed identified a prior conviction for possession of heroin, although Miller had actually been convicted for possession of Lysergic Acid. We affirm the dismissal of his petition.

Our decision in United States v. Valdez-Pacheco, 237 F.3d 1077 (9th Cir. 2001), controls. In Valdez-Pacheco , we held, on similar facts, that “a federal prisoner may not challenge a conviction or sentence by way of a petition for a writ of audita querela when that challenge is cognizable under [28 U.S.C.] § 2255.” Id. at 1080. The writ of audita querela is only available to “fill the interstices of the federal postconyiction remedial framework.” Id. at 1079 (quoting…