Topic
Every decision we've filed under Sentencing Guidelines.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion for compassionate release filed by a federal prisoner serving consecutive sentences. The court held that the district court lacked authority to reduce the sentence because the defendant had already completed the term imposed by that specific court.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed a 75-month federal sentence for a bank fraud scheme, rejecting the defendant's challenges to two sentencing enhancements. The court found sufficient evidence that the defendant knowingly used sophisticated means and supervised other participants in the fraud.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a defendant's sentence and restitution order despite arguments regarding acquitted conduct. The court held that the district court's sentencing decision was reasonable and the restitution issue was waived under the law of the case doctrine.
The First Circuit affirmed Rahim Shafa's convictions for money laundering and drug offenses but vacated his sentence for misdemeanor misbranding due to the District Court's failure to clarify why the fraud guideline applied. The court remanded the case for resentencing on that specific count to resolve ambiguities regarding the acquitted-conduct amendment.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 36-month sentence for illegal re-entry, rejecting the defendant's claim that the district court abused its discretion by relying on his prior criminal history. The court held that sentencing judges possess broad authority to weigh § 3553(a) factors and may attach significant weight to a defendant's recidivism without presuming unreasonableness for variances.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 108-month sentence for a defendant convicted of conspiring to distribute cocaine on a vessel. The court held that the district court did not clearly err in denying a minor-role reduction because the defendant's knowing participation as a crewmember constituted serious involvement in the criminal scheme.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's findings regarding most supervised release violations but vacated the sentence due to procedural errors in admitting hearsay evidence. The court remanded the case for a new revocation hearing that strictly adheres to the *Frazier* balancing test for confrontation rights.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed the denial of Hilde Favela's motion for compassionate release, ruling that sentencing disparities and presentence report disputes do not constitute extraordinary and compelling reasons. The court held that challenges to sentencing calculations must be pursued through a habeas motion rather than a compassionate release proceeding.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a 360-month prison sentence for drug trafficking and firearm offenses. The court rejected the defendant's arguments regarding drug weight calculations and the dangerous weapon enhancement.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed a 131-month sentence for drug trafficking, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion in imposing an upward variance. The court held that the judge properly considered the defendant's extensive uncharged criminal history and recent jail violence under the statutory sentencing factors.