United States v. Savariste

* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that
this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except
under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 00-30747
Conference Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
DANA H. SAVARISTE,
Defendant-Appellant.
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Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Middle District of Louisiana
USDC No. 99-CR-130-ALL
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April 10, 2001
Before JOLLY, HIGGINBOTHAM, and JONES, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Dana H. Savariste appeals his conviction and sentence for
being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18
U.S.C. § 922(g). He contends that the district court abused its
discretion in denying his motion to withdraw his guilty plea. He
bases this contention on the affidavit of Lynette Felder, his
girlfriend and the woman responsible for having him arrested on
the instant charge after he had assaulted her. Felder’s
affidavit was submitted ten months after the incident leading to
Savariste’s arrest, and after she and Savariste had reconciled.

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No. 00-30747
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The statements in the affidavit differ from statements given to
the police by both Felder and Savariste at the time of the
incident. Moreover, the totality of the circumstances indicates
that Savariste’s decision to plead guilty was a tactical one,
made with the assistance of competent counsel, and that he later
decided that he had made a bad choice. Thus, he has not shown a
fair and just reason for withdrawal of his guilty plea. See Fed.
R. Crim. P. 32(e); United States v. Carr, 740 F.2d 339, 343-44
(5th Cir. 1984). The district court did not abuse its discretion
in denying Savariste’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea.
AFFIRMED.

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