Topic
Every decision we've filed under Sentencing Guidelines.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed Nelly Idowu's conviction and sentence, rejecting her claim that the district court misapplied sentencing guidelines for money laundering. The court held that because Idowu failed to object to the guideline calculation at sentencing, she could only succeed by showing plain error, which she could not establish.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the district court's revocation of Charles Allen's supervised release and the imposition of a 21-month prison sentence. The court found no abuse of discretion, noting the sentence was within the Guidelines range and properly weighed relevant factors.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed a 37-month prison sentence for drug possession with intent to distribute, rejecting the defendant's claim that the district court improperly prioritized Sentencing Guidelines over statutory factors. The court held that the district judge conducted a thorough review of the defendant's history and the nature of the offense, finding no abuse of discretion.
The Sixth Circuit reversed a defendant's Tier II sex offender classification under SORNA, holding that her underlying Florida conviction did not meet the federal mens rea requirements for heightened tier status. The court also vacated a twenty-year supervised release sentence, finding the district court procedurally erred by miscalculating the applicable sentencing guidelines.
The Third Circuit affirmed the denial of Eric Hafner's motion to withdraw his guilty plea, ruling that he failed to prove ineffective assistance of counsel or a fair and just reason for withdrawal. The court also upheld a 240-month sentence, finding no error in the application of sentencing enhancements for threatening conduct and obstruction of justice.
The Third Circuit affirmed the denial of Eric Hafner's motion to withdraw his guilty plea, finding he failed to prove ineffective assistance of counsel or a fair and just reason for withdrawal. The court also upheld a 240-month sentence that exceeded the advisory Guidelines range, ruling that the District Court properly applied enhancements for threatening conduct and obstruction.
The First Circuit affirmed a 144-month sentence for a defendant convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and marijuana distribution. The court held that the district court properly weighed sentencing factors without needing to explicitly address every mitigating fact or explain why recommended sentences were rejected.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the district court's revocation of supervised release and imposition of a 21-month prison sentence. The court held that the district court properly considered statutory sentencing factors and acted within its authority to require residence in a residential reentry center.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a five-level sentencing enhancement for distributing child pornography in exchange for valuable consideration but vacated the sentence due to an incorrect application of a pattern-of-activity enhancement. The court held that while Lopez's participation in chatrooms constituted a valid exchange, the government failed to prove the requisite pattern of sexual abuse or exploitation.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed a 36-month prison sentence imposed after revoking a defendant's supervised release, rejecting the claim that the upward-variant sentence was plainly unreasonable. The court held that the district court exercised broad discretion and provided an adequate explanation based on the defendant's escalating violations and the need for public protection.