UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CHRISTEN L. CLARK - Articles

All Content

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CHRISTEN L. CLARK

Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Apr 17, 2026

Court: 6th Circuit Court (Published Opinions)

Attorneys 1: ARGUED: Wendy R. Calaway, LAW OFFICE OF WENDY R. CALAWAY, CO., L.P.A., Cincinnati, Ohio, for Appellant.

Attorneys 2: ARGUED: Brenna L. Fasko, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, Cleveland, Ohio, for Appellee.

Attorneys 3: ON BRIEF: Wendy R. Calaway, LAW OFFICE OF WENDY R. CALAWAY, CO., L.P.A., Cincinnati, Ohio, for Appellant.

Attorneys 4: ON BRIEF: Laura McMullen Ford, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, Cleveland, Ohio, for Appellee.

Judge(s): STRANCH, BUSH, and DAVIS

Court Appealed: United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio at Akron

Christen Clark was charged with six counts related to drug trafficking cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine and also firearm possession. He pled guilty to all six counts while represented by Owen Kalis, who withdrew from the practice of law eleven days later due to pending disciplinary action. See In re Resignation of Kalis, 236 N.E.3d 263, 264 (Ohio 2024); Ohio S. Ct. R. Gov. Bar VI, § 11(A)–(C). Clark subsequently moved to withdraw his guilty plea, arguing that his plea was not knowing, voluntary, and intelligent due to ineffective assistance of counsel. The district court held that there was not a “fair and just” reason for withdrawal under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(d)(2)(B) and that the court’s plea colloquy rendered the plea sufficient under the Due Process Clause. Clark timely appealed. For the reasons set forth below, we VACATE the district court’s denial of Clark’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea and REMAND the case for the district court to hold an evidentiary hearing on Clark’s claims.

Attachments: