United States v. Conrad Foreman

Conrad Foreman (“Foreman”) appeals the district court’s denial of his motion for substitution of counsel. Foreman appeals also the amount of restitution the district court imposed after he pled guilty to three offenses involving forged securities. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742 (a), and we affirm.

BACKGROUND

Foreman and two codefendants, Alwin Dacosta (“Dacosta”) and Adewale Okunubi, stole personal checks from the mail, then altered and cashed those checks. The government charged Foreman with one count of conspiring to transport forged securities and two counts of receipt and possession of forged securities.

Shortly before his trial was scheduled to begin, Foreman submitted a pro se letter requesting substitution of counsel. After a hearing, the district court denied Foreman’s request.

Foreman later completed and signed an application for permission to enter a guilty plea instead of proceeding to trial. Part of the form read: “I believe that my lawyer has done all that a lawyer could do to counsel and assist me, and I am satisfied with the advice and help he/she has given me.” Before accepting Foreman’s guilty plea, the district court…