BEAGLES v. DIXON et al

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TALLAHASSEE DIVISION
JOHNNY DALTON BEAGLES,
Petitioner,
v. Case No. 4:24-cv-93-AW-MAF
SECRETARY, DEP’T OF
CORRECTIONS,
Respondent.
_______________________________/
ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Petitioner Johnny Dalton Beagles was convicted of arson and sentenced to
twenty years’ imprisonment. He initiated this § 2254 action, raising one ground for
relief: he contends his attorney provided ineffective assistance of counsel by failing
to convey a 36-month plea offer. But after an evidentiary hearing, the state court
found his testimony not credible and found further that Beagles had shown neither
deficient performance nor prejudice. Among other things, the court concluded
Beagles was set on going to trial and would not have accepted any plea.
The magistrate judge issued a report and recommendation concluding the
court should deny the § 2254 petition. ECF No. 16. Beagles filed objections, and I
have considered the matter de novo. I have determined the report and
recommendation should be adopted, and I now adopt it and incorporate it into this
order. In short, Beagles has not shown that the state court’s decision “was contrary
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to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law” or
that it “was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the
evidence presented in the State court proceeding.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d)(1)-(2).
Beagles disagrees with the state court’s conclusions, but he has not shown a basis
for § 2254 relief.
The clerk will enter a judgment that says, “The § 2254 petition is denied on
the merits.” A certificate of appealability is DENIED.
The clerk will close the file.
SO ORDERED on January 8, 2026.
s/ Allen Winsor
Chief United States District Judge
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