United States v. Frank Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517 (7th Cir. 1994). · Go Syfert
United States v. Frank Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517 (7th Cir. 1994). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“tate prosecutors cannot bind federal prosecutors without the latter's consent and knowledge.”
67 citation events (27 in the last 25 years) across 24 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: United States v. Sells (Shelby) (ca10, 2007-03-01)
Treatment trajectory · 1995 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1995 2010 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 49 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) United States v. Sells (Shelby)
10th Cir. · 2007 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
tate prosecutors cannot bind federal prosecutors without the latter's consent and knowledge.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Tresler v. McBee
E.D. Mo. · 2025 · confidence medium
Id. at 425-26 . 231, 235-36 (8th Cir. 1997) (noting that “the concept of equitable immunity is not well defined” and has not been recognized by the Eighth Circuit); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 521 (7th Cir. 1994) (noting that the Seventh Circuit “has neither accepted nor rejected the doctrine of equitable immunity”).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Master Sergeant TIMOTHY B. HENNIS
A.C.C.A. · 2016 · confidence medium
Reed, 41 M.J. at 453 (Sullivan, C.J., dissenting) (citing United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 519 (7th Cir. 1994)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Scott
D. Mass. · 2014 · confidence medium
"Although the concept of equitable immunity is not well defined, the underlying principle is that when [an inchoate] promise of immunity induces a defendant to cooperate with the government to his detriment, due process requires that the prosecutor’s promise be fulfilled.” United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 521 (7th Cir.1994) (internal quotations, citations, and alterations omitted). .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Gibson
S.D. Iowa · 2014 · confidence medium
See Flemmi, 225 F.3d at 91 (holding that “FBI agents lack authority to tender a binding promise of use immunity to an informant”); United States v. Cordova-Perez, 65 F.3d 1552, 1554 (9th Cir.1995) (holding an INS agent did not have authority to bind the U.S. Attorney to a non-prosecution agreement), overruled on other grounds by In re Ellis, 356 F.3d 1198, 1205 (9th Cir.2004) (en banc); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520-21 (7th Cir.1994) (holding ATF agents were not authorized to bind the U.S. Attorney to a non-prosecution agreement); United States v. Streebing, 987 F.2d 368, 372-73…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Madden
10th Cir. · 2012 · confidence medium
See United States v. Uribe-Rios, 558 F.3d 347, 358-59 (4th Cir.2009) (holding the defendant’s lost chance of serving state and federal sentences concurrently “cannot be used to establish prejudice for purposes of challenging pre-indictment delay”); Metoyer v. Scott, 70 Fed.Appx. 524, 531 (10th Cir.2003) (unpublished) (rejecting the defendant’s argument that he suffered prejudice because he could have served concurrent sentences); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994) (concluding the defendant failed to show actual prejudice based on “his speculative contention that …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Uribe-Rios
4th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
United States v. Ferguson, 48 F.3d 1217 , 1995 WL 107358, at *3 (4th Cir.1995) (unpublished) (citing United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994) (focusing on the speculative nature of a potential award of concurrent sentences)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Ellis
1st Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
These principles have been applied both to promises to assist a criminal defendant in his underlying criminal proceeding, see, e.g., Flemmi, 225 F.3d at 85 ; United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520-21 (7th Cir.1994), and to promises to assist the defendant in other proceedings involving the government, see, e.g., United States v. Crobarger, 158 F. App'x 100, 105 (10th Cir.2005) (alleged promise made by a prosecutor in one district to file a Rule 35(b) motion in a proceeding in another district); United States v. Igbonwa, 120 F.3d 437, 443 (3d Cir.1997) (alleged promise by a prosecutor to bind…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Law
E.D. Pa. · 2007 · confidence medium
See United States v. Lainez-Leiva, 129 F.3d 89, 92 (2d Cir.1997) (noting that U.S.S.G. § 5G1.3(c) does not require a district court to impose a concurrent sentence, and finding that loss of a potential concurrent sentence did not establish prejudice giving rise to Sixth Amendment speedy trial violation); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994) (citations omitted) (“[W]e are aware of no case law, nor has any been provided to us, even suggesting that a felon has a right to serve his federal and state sentences concurrently.”); United States v. Bey, 499 F.2d 194, 203 (3d Cir.…
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Robinson
E.D. Mich. · 2005 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Finch v. Vaughn, 67 F.3d 909, 915 (11th Cir.1995); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994); Gray, 382 F.Supp.2d at 907-08 .
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Gray
E.D. Mich. · 2005 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Finch v. Vaughn, 67 F.3d 909 , *908 915 (11th Cir.1995); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994); Pinaud v. James, 851 F.2d 27, 30-31 (2d Cir.1988).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Moran (2×) also: Cited "see"
N.D.N.Y. · 2005 · confidence medium
Agreements entered into by the state are not binding upon federal prosecutors without their “knowledge and consent.” United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994); United States v. Roberson, 872 F.2d 597, 611 (5th Cir.1989).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Saladino
7th Cir. · 2004 · confidence medium
United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994) (“[s]tate prosecutors cannot bind federal prosecutors without the latter’s knowledge and consent.”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Nixon
E.D. Mich. · 2004 · confidence medium
Pinaud v. James, 851 F.2d 27, 31 (2nd Cir.1988); Montoya v. Johnson, 226 F.3d 399, 405-6 (5th Cir.2000); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994); Hendrix v. Norris, 81 F.3d 805, 807 (8th Cir.1996); Meagher v. Clark, 943 F.2d 1277, 1281-2 (11th Cir.1991).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Stephen J. Flemmi
1st Cir. · 2000 · confidence medium
Not surprisingly, the case law supports this result and, at the same time, contradicts the district court’s premise that officials having lesser authority over prosecutions than United States Attorneys, such as FBI agents, may bind the United States either to dismiss an indictment or to refrain from prosecution. 3 See, e.g., Cordova-Perez, 65 F.3d at 1554 (stating that INS agent who made a “no prosecution” promise could not bind the United States); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520-21 (7th Cir.1994) (holding that ATF agents lacked authority to promise that defendant would not be p…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Jumo Dillard (2×)
2d Cir. · 2000 · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Greever, 134 F.3d 777, 778-79 (6th Cir.1998); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 518 (7th Cir.1994).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Arthur William Otters
8th Cir. · 1999 · confidence medium
See Hendrix v. Norris, 81 F.3d 805, 807 (8th Cir.1996); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520-21 (7th Cir.1994); United States v. Roberson, 872 F.2d 597, 611 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 861 , 110 S.Ct. 175 , 107 L.Ed.2d 131 (1989); United States v. Kettering, 861 F.2d 675, 678 (11th Cir.1988).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Arthur W. Otters
8th Cir. · 1999 · confidence medium
See Hendrix v. Norris, 81 F.3d 805, 807 (8th Cir. 1996); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520-21 (7th Cir. 1994); United States v. Roberson, 872 F.2d 597, 611 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 861 (1989); United States v. Kettering, 861 F.2d 675, 678 (11th Cir.1988).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Pierce
S.D.W. Va · 1999 · confidence medium
See U.S. v. Marler, 756 F.2d 206, 211 (1st Cir.1985) (Sixth Amendment speedy trial right did not attach when state arrested and federal government subsequently indicted on federal civil rights charges because court will not interfere with separate prosecutorial functions of different sovereigns); U.S. v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994) (state and federal prosecutions for same offense may be simultaneous; however, prosecutor has discretion to drop federal prosecution pending state court result and proceed with federal prosecution if inadequate results obtained in state court); U.S. v. Ga…
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Robert v. Spears
7th Cir. · 1999 · confidence medium
United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 519 (7th Cir.1994).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Heatley
S.D.N.Y. · 1998 · confidence medium
Neither the Supreme Court nor the Second Circuit has ever approved of the doctrine of equitable immunity, which rests on the underlying principle that “when a promise of immunity induces a defendant to ... cooperate with the government to his detriment, due process requires that the prosecutor’s promise be fulfilled,” United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 521 (7th Cir.1994), despite the fact that formal use immunity does not arise under 18 U.S.C. § 6002 or other statutory provisions.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Graham v. State (2×)
Tex. App. · 1998 · confidence medium
The underlying principle in the concept of equitable immunity is that “when a promise of immunity induces a defendant to ... cooperate with the government to his detriment, due process requires that the prosecutor’s promise be fulfilled.” United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 521 (7th Cir.1994).
examined Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Lua (3×)
N.D. Iowa · 1998 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Additionally, pursuant to the concept of “equitable immunity,” courts may enforce informal grants of transactional immunity where: “(1) an agreement was made; (2) the defendant has performed on his side; and (3) the subsequent prosecution is directly re lated to offenses in which the defendant, pursuant to the agreement, either assisted with the investigation, or testified for the government.” McHan, 101 F.3d at 1034 (quoting Rowe, 676 F.2d at 527-28 ); cf. Reed v. United States, 106 F.3d 231, 235 (8th Cir.1997) (noting that while the doctrine of equitable immunity has not been recogni…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Barone (2×)
N.J. · 1997 · confidence medium
Bartkus v. Illinois, 359 U.S. 121, 123-24 , 79 S.Ct. 676, 678 , 3 L.Ed. 2d 684, 687 (1959); see also United States v. Sparks, 87 F. 3d 276, 279 (9th Cir.1996) (holding that state prosecutor cannot bind federal government); United States v. Cordova-Perez, 65 F. 3d 1552, 1554 (9th Cir.1995) (holding that state prosecutor cannot bind federal government where federal government is not party to plea agreement), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 117 S.Ct. 113 , 136 L.Ed. 2d 65 (1996); Stephens v. Attorney Gen., 23 F. 3d 248, 249 (9th Cir.1994) (holding that state is not bound by results of federal evident…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Glen Reed v. United States (2×) also: Cited "see"
8th Cir. · 1997 · confidence medium
Although the concept of equitable immunity is not well defined, Rowe v. Griffin, 676 F.2d 524 , 526 n.3 (11th Cir. 1982), "the underlying principle is that when a promise of immunity induces a defendant to . . . cooperate with the government to his [or her] detriment, due process requires that the prosecutor's promise be fulfilled." United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 521 (7th Cir. 1994).5 Maglothin argues that 5 The Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eleventh Circuits and several district courts have addressed the concept of equitable immunity.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Glen Reed v. United States (2×) also: Cited "see"
8th Cir. · 1997 · confidence medium
Although the concept of equitable immunity is not well defined, Rowe v. Griffin, 676 F.2d 524 , 526 n. 3 (11th Cir.1982), “the underlying principle is that when a promise of immunity induces a defendant to ... cooperate with the government to his [or her] detriment, due process requires that the prosecutor’s promise be fulfilled.” United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 521 (7th Cir.1994). 5 Maglothin argues that equitable immunity is enforceable to the same extent as a formal grant of immunity under 18 U.S.C. § 6003 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Charles R. Hendrix v. Larry Norris
8th Cir. · 1996 · confidence medium
That federal prosecutors did -3- not make a similar request in federal court does not mean that the state breached its plea agreement; "state prosecutors cannot bind federal prosecutors without the latter's knowledge and consent." United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir. 1994).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Charles R. Hendrix v. Larry Norris, Director, Arkansas Department of Correction (2×)
8th Cir. · 1996 · confidence medium
That federal prosecutors did not make a similar request in federal court does not mean that the state breached its plea agreement; “state prosecutors cannot bind federal prosecutors without the latter’s knowledge and consent.” United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. William R. Smith, Jr.
7th Cir. · 1996 · confidence medium
United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 519 (7th Cir.1994).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Baglioni v. Chief of Police
Mass. · 1995 · confidence medium
Harbor, 378 U.S. 52, 79 (1964); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir. 1994).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. John Ferguson, A/K/A John Dozier
4th Cir. · 1995 · confidence medium
This argument fails because a felon has no right "to serve his federal and state sentences concurrently." See United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994) (holding that district court did not err in refusing to dismiss indictment where nearly five year pre-indictment delay).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Timothy J. Cichon
7th Cir. · 1995 · confidence medium
United States v. Thompson, 25 F.3d 1558, 1562 (11th Cir. 1994) (claiming grant of immunity as ground for dismissal); cf. United States v. Furman, 31 F.3d 1034, 1037 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. —, 115 S.Ct. 651 , 130 L.Ed.2d 555 (1994) (claiming selective prosecution as ground for dismissal); United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 519 (7th Cir. 1994) (claiming pre-indictment delay as ground for dismissal).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Daniels
A.F.C.C.A. · 2022 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 519 (7th Cir. 1994).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Shelby Wayne Sells Anthony Wayne Sells
10th Cir. · 2007 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994) (“[S]tate prosecutors cannot bind federal prosecutors without the latter’s consent and knowledge.”); Hendrix v. Norris, 81 F.3d 805, 807 (8th Cir.1996) (same).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Roberts
D. Del. · 2003 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 521 (7th Cir.1994); United States v. Roberson, 872 F.2d 597 (5th Cir.1989) (immunity from state prosecution agreement was not binding in federal prosecution because federal prosecutors never made an agreement with defendant); United States v. D’Apice, 664 F.2d 75, 78 (5th Cir.1981) (a federal prosecutor from one district cannot bind a federal prosecutor from a different district); United States v. Cooke, 650 F.Supp. 991, 994 (D.Md.1987) (immunity agreement enforced against federal government after court found it was a joint investigation between state…
discussed Cited "see" Metoyer v. Scott
10th Cir. · 2003 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994) (deciding defendant failed to show actual and substantial prejudice because court was unaware of case law and defendant did not provide any suggesting he had right to serve state and federal sentences concurrently).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Timothy L. Morris
8th Cir. · 1998 · signal: see · confidence high
See Hendrix v. Norris, 81 F.3d 805, 807 (8th Cir. 1996) (noting that “#state prosecutors cannot bind federal prosecutors without the latter’s knowledge and consent’” (quoting United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir. 1994)).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Timothy L. Morris, Also Known as Scott A. McMaster
8th Cir. · 1998 · signal: see · confidence high
See Hendrix v. Norris, 81 F.3d 805, 807 (8th Cir.1996) (noting that " 'state prosecutors cannot bind federal prosecutors without the latter's knowledge and consent' " (quoting United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994)). 4 Next, Morris challenges the jury's finding that controlled substances were involved.
cited Cited "see" United States v. One Parcel of Real Estate Located at 25 Sandra Court, Sandwich, Illinois, Appeal of Matthew Enoch and Deanna Lyons
7th Cir. · 1998 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Stokes
1st Cir. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994); Ng, 699 F.2d at 68-69 .
cited Cited "see" United States v. Stokes
1st Cir. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir. 1994); Ng, 699 F.2d at 68-69 .
discussed Cited "see" UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Carlos Oswaldo CORDOVA-PEREZ, Defendant-Appellant (2×)
9th Cir. · 1995 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520-21 (7th Cir.1994).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Reed
C.A.A.F. · 1995 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517 , 519 ¶ 9 (7th Cir.1994).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." United States v. John Johnson
7th Cir. · 2022 · signal: see also · confidence low
No. 20-3272 11 States Attorney); In re Daley, 549 F.2d 469, 480 (7th Cir. 1977) (“Through the exercise of his inherent discretion, the federal prosecutor retains control over the nature and scope of im- munity granted.”); see also United States v. Lilly, 810 F.3d 1205 , 1212–13, 1215 (10th Cir. 2016) (citing Fuzer, 18 F.3d at 520 ) (investigating authorities promising federal immunity must “receive[] permission or authorization from a governmental actor that actually possesses actual authority—notably, a fed- eral prosecutor”); United States v. Flemmi, 225 F.3d 78, 87 (1st Cir. 200…
cited Cited "see, e.g." United States v. Steven Paul
7th Cir. · 2018 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 521 (7th Cir. 1994); United States v. Weaver, 905 F.2d 1466, 1474 (11th Cir. 1990).
cited Cited "see, e.g." United States v. Steven Paul
7th Cir. · 2018 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 521 (7th Cir. 1994); United States v. Weaver, 905 F.2d 1466, 1474 (11th Cir. 1990).
cited Cited "see, e.g." United States v. Steven Paul
7th Cir. · 2018 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 521 (7th Cir. 1994); United States v. Weaver, 905 F.2d 1466, 1474 (11th Cir. 1990).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." United States v. Lilly
10th Cir. · 2016 · signal: see also · confidence medium
It lacks authority deriving from its investigatory role, even when operating in conjunction with probation officers, to make promises to suspects binding on the United States Attorney.”); Flemmi, 225 F.3d at 87 (noting in declining to enforce Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) promises, “the case law'supports this result and, at the same time, contradicts the district court’s premise that officials having lesser authority over prosecutions than United States Attorneys, such as FBI agents, may bind the United States either to dismiss an indictment or to refrain from prosecution�…
cited Cited "see, e.g." United States v. Salemme
D. Mass. · 1999 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Fuzer, 18 F.3d 517, 520 (7th Cir.1994); United States v. Cordova-Perez, 65 F.3d 1552, 1554 (9th Cir.1995).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Frank FUZER, Defendant-Appellant
93-1902.
Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Mar 18, 1994.
18 F.3d 517
Barry R. Elden, Diane L. Saltoun, Asst. U.S. Attys., Crim. Receiving, Appellate Div., Chicago, IL, Scott A. Verseman (argued), Office of U.S. Atty., Rockford, IL, for plaintiff-appellee., Thomas J. Royce (argued), Chicago, IL, for defendant-appellant.
Cudahy, Coffey, Kanne.
Cited by 62 opinions  |  Published
COFFEY, Circuit Judge.

Frank Fuzer, a felon, was convicted of possessing a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and was sentenced to fifteen years’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of parole (supervised release) and ordered to pay a $50 special assessment. He appeals the district court’s denial of his motion to dismiss the indictment and vacate the judgment of conviction. We affirm.

BACKGROUND

The State Proceedings

On February 3, 1987, the Arlington Heights, Illinois, Police Department arrested Fuzer pursuant to several outstanding Illinois arrest warrants. During the arrest, the police discovered a loaded .22 caliber handgun in the right pocket of Fuzer’s jacket and he was charged under section 24-l(a)(10) of chapter 38 of the Illinois code, entitled “Unlawful Use of Weapons,” which prohibited the possession of a loaded firearm “in a vehicle or on or about his person within the corporate limits of a city, village, or incorporated town, except when on his land or in his own abode or fixed place of business[.]”

At the time Fuzer appeared in the Cook County Circuit Court, there were ten outstanding Illinois criminal indictments and in-formations pending against him as well as five separate probation violations. Pursuant to a plea agreement, the state’s attorney moved to dismiss several of the charges pending against Fuzer, including the unlawful use of a weapon charge, and Fuzer pled guilty to the remaining charges, including the five probation violations, and was sentenced on July 1,1987, to twelve years of incarceration.

The Federal Proceedings

On January 30, 1992, a federal grand jury returned a one count indictment charging that Fuzer, a convicted felon, on February 3, 1987, knowingly possessed a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) when he was arrested within the corporate limits of Arlington Heights, Illinois, by the local police department. The indictment was handed down less than a week before the five year statute of limitations (18 U.S.C. § 3282) was due to expire. Fuzer moved to dismiss the indictment, arguing that the delay in bringing the indictment was prejudicial and in violation of his due process rights, stating that 1) his memory regarding the events surrounding the arrest had faded, 2) an attorney would have difficulty locating witnesses, and 3) but for the delay, he may have had an opportunity to serve the state and federal sentences concurrently. After the judge denied the motion to dismiss, a jury convicted[*519] him of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Fuzer moved to set aside the judgment of conviction. In addition to renewing his pre-indictment delay claim, he contended for the first time that his plea agreement with the Illinois Assistant State’s Attorney “incorporated the specific promise that he would not be subjected to any additional prosecution be it State or Federal.” He claimed that agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms were present at his guilty plea hearing and were aware that the plea agreement allegedly prohibited federal authorities from prosecuting him for his possession of the .22 caliber handgun on February 3,1987. Fuzer argued that “although the United States Attorney was not a party to this agreement, the [ATF] agents of the United States who were aware of the agreement put the United States on notice and bound the United States to this agreement.” Fuzer has never identified the ATF agents whose alleged presence in the courtroom supposedly bound the federal government to the Illinois Assistant State’s Attorney’s alleged promise that Fuzer would not be prosecuted further for the events of February 3, 1987, and a review of the record fails to reveal any statement in Fuzer’s plea agreement that he would not be federally prosecuted. In fact, in contrast to the defendant’s position, the transcript of his 1987 guilty plea hearing sets forth that when asked whether “any promise or threat [had] been made to you to get you to make this decision to plead guilty to the charges here[,]” Fuzer replied, “No, there hasn’t.”

The district court denied Fuzer’s motion to set aside the verdict on the basis of preindictment delay. For purposes of its decision only, the district court assumed that the State’s Attorney’s Office promised him that he would not be federally prosecuted. The judge ruled that even if the state prosecutor agreed that the federal government would not prosecute him, the promise was unenforceable because the respective state jurisdictions do not have the authority to bind the federal government. United States v. Eliason, 3 F.3d 1149, 1153 (7th Cir.1993) n. 3 (citing United States v. Roberson, 872 F.2d 597, 611-12 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 861, 110 S.Ct. 175, 107 L.Ed.2d 131 (1989)). Also for purposes of its decision, the court assumed that ATF agents were present in the courtroom during the proceedings and were aware of the alleged promise not to prosecute. Even considering all of these assumptions, the judge rejected the defendant’s argument that he was entitled to relief because Fuzer had not established that the agents took any “explicit action ... which says to the defendant without the benefit of inference or implication if you do this, we will not prosecute.”

ISSUES

The issues we must decide are: 1) whether the court erroneously denied Fuzer’s motion to dismiss the indictment on the grounds of delay, and 2) whether the court committed error in denying his motion to set aside the judgment on the grounds of the alleged agreement that Fuzer would not be federally prosecuted.

DISCUSSION

Initially Fuzer contends that the government violated his due process rights by delaying his prosecution.

“To successfully advance a claim that pre-indictment delay violated due process, a defendant must ‘prove that the delay caused actual and substantial prejudice to his or her fair trial rights and that the government delayed indictment for tactical advantage or some other impermissible reason’.” United States v. Ashford, 924 F.2d 1416, 1419-20 (7th Cir.1991) (quoting United States v. Chappell, 854 F.2d 190, 195 (7th Cir.1988)). “It is the defendant’s burden to prove that he was prejudiced by the delay.” Id. “We review for abuse of discretion the court’s denial of motions to dismiss” an indictment for pre-indictment delay. United States v. Sherlock, 962 F.2d 1349, 1354 (9th Cir.1989), cert. denied sub nom. Charley v. United States, — U.S. -, 113 S.Ct. 419, 121 L.Ed.2d 342 (1992).

On appeal, Fuzer has abandoned his claim that the delay prejudiced him because of faded memory or inability to locate witness[*520] es; instead, his claim of prejudice arises solely from his speculative contention that if the government had prosecuted him promptly, he could have served his state and federal sentences concurrently. He further implies that the government delayed its indictment because it was dissatisfied with the twelve-year sentence he received in state court.

The record before us fails to demonstrate that Fuzer suffered an actual and substantial prejudice because we are aware of no case law, nor has any been provided to us, even suggesting that a felon has a right to serve his federal and state sentences concurrently. United States v. Koller, 956 F.2d 1408, 1415-16 (7th Cir.1992) (“Koller has no right to serve his sentences on these two different convictions, one state and one federal, concurrently, and thus, he suffered no prejudice”); see also Sherlock, 962 F.2d at 1354 (noting that defendant offered “no more than bare allegations that the delay deprived him of concurrent sentencing’’); United States v. Gonzalez-Sandoval, 894 F.2d 1043, 1051 (9th Cir.1990) (rejecting defendant’s claim that he would have received concurrent federal and state sentences had he been tried sooner as “entirely speculative”). Moreover, Fuzer has failed to establish that the government delayed his indictment for tactical advantage or some other impermissible reason. As we stated in United States v. DeMichael, 692 F.2d 1059 (1982), “under our federal system there can be simultaneous federal and State prosecutions where similar or identical offenses under the two systems of law are committed as the result of particular conduct on the part of a defendant. Moreover, there is nothing more than exercise of normal prosecutorial discretion involved if the prosecuting attorney is satisfied to drop one prosecution if an adequate result is obtained in the other, or decides to proceed in the second case of an inadequate result is obtained in the first.” 692 F.2d at 1062. See also Koller, 956 F.2d at 1416 (noting that “[ajwaiting [defendant’s] release from state custody was certainly a valid reason for delay rather than a pretext for the government to intentionally gain a tactical advantage over [the defendant]”). Because Fuzer has not demonstrated that the delay caused him actual and substantial prejudice and that the government delayed bringing the indictment to gain a tactical advantage or some other impermissible reason, we hold the court did not commit error in denying Fuzer’s motion to dismiss based on pre-indictment delay.

Fuzer next contends that the trial judge erroneously denied his motion to vacate his conviction based on the alleged agreement that the federal government would not prosecute him for possessing a firearm on February 3, 1987. We hasten to point out that Fuzer has failed to established the existence of such an agreement, but even assuming solely for the sake of argument that he had, Fuzer’s argument is not persuasive because state prosecutors cannot bind federal prosecutors without the latter’s knowledge and consent. Eliason, 3 F.3d at 1153; see also Staten v. Neal, 880 F.2d 962, 966 (7th Cir.1989) (“the federal government was not bound by an agreement made by the defendant and state agents”) (citing United States v. Long, 511 F.2d 878 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 895, 96 S.Ct. 196, 46 L.Ed.2d 128 (1975)).

Fuzer admits the United States Attorney was not a party to the alleged agreement that he would not be federally prosecuted, but attempts to sidestep the problem by claiming that the ATF officials acted as agents for the U.S. Attorney. Once again, we reject Fuzer’s argument. Not only has Fuzer failed to establish that ATF agents knew of the alleged agreement that Fuzer would not be federally prosecuted, but he also has not identified the ATF agents, much less established that in fact there even were ATF agents present in the courtroom at the time of sentencing. Moreover, even if we were to assume (once again, solely for the sake of argument) that ATF officers were present and knew of the alleged agreement not to prosecute, Fuzer is still not entitled to have his conviction vacated because the record contains no evidence that the ATF agents promised Fuzer that he would not be prosecuted in federal court or that the ATF agents were authorized to bind the United States Attorney even if they did make such a promise. See United States v. Streebing, 987 F.2d 368, 372 (6th Cir.) (rule that promises[*521] made during plea-bargaining be respected subject to condition that the agent must be authorized to make the promise), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 113 S.Ct. 2933, 124 L.Ed.2d 683 (1993); United States v. Kettering, 861 F.2d 675, 678 (11th Cir.1988) (plea agreement with DEA agent not enforceable when agent was not authorized by AUSA to enter agreement). Because Fuzer failed to establish that the alleged ATF agents had any authority to bind the United States Attorney or that they promised Fuzer that he would not be prosecuted in a federal forum, we hold the district court properly denied Fuzer’s motion to vacate his conviction.

Finally, we address Fuzer’s contention that the doctrine of “equitable immunity” entitles him to have his version of the plea agreement enforced. Although “the concept of equitable immunity is not well defined[,]” Rowe v. Griffin, 676 F.2d 524, 526 n. 3 (11th Cir.1982), the underlying principle is that “[w]hen [a promise of immunity] induces a defendant to ... cooperate with the government to his detriment, due process requires that the prosecutor’s promise be fulfilled.” Id. at 528. To date, this circuit has neither accepted nor rejected the doctrine of equitable immunity. Arkebauer v. Kiley, 985 F.2d 1351, 1359 n. 11 (7th Cir. 1993); United States v. Eckhardt, 843 F.2d 989, 995 (7th Cir.1988).

The facts in this record do not warrant the application of equitable immunity as requested. Fuzer has failed to establish that he was promised that he would not be federally prosecuted; without an agreement, there is nothing to enforce. Moreover, Fuzer concedes the United States Attorney’s office was not a party to his plea agreement with Illinois and he has not established that the ATF officers who allegedly were present during his sentencing were acting as agents for the United States Attorney or even that they promised him anything.

Because the court did not abuse its discretion in denying Fuzer’s motion to vacate his conviction, the judgment is affirmed.