Case ID: f-appx_192/html/0311-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM: \n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Ray Gene BRASHER, Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 05-51179.
    Summary Calendar.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
    Decided Aug. 2, 2006.
    
      Joseph H. Gay, Jr., Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’S Office, Western District of Texas, San Antonio, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
    Raymond L. Kohler, Austin, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.
    Before REAVLEY, WIENER, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM:

Ray Gene Brasher appeals the district court’s imposition, upon resentencing pursuant to United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), of his nonguideline sentence of 48 months of imprisonment on his guilty-plea conviction for possession of a chemical, product, or material which may be used to manufacture methamphetamine. See 21 U.S.C. § 843(a)(6). Neither party challenges the district court’s calculation of the applicable guideline range of 57 to 71 months. Brasher argues that he should have been sentenced to home confinement in lieu of any term of imprisonment because he is confined to a wheelchair and needs medical attention. He, therefore, contends that his sentence of imprisonment is unreasonable.

The testimony at the resentencing hearing reveals that the district court took into consideration the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) in imposing a 48-month sentence. See United States v. Smith, 440 F.3d 704, 706-08 (5th Cir.2006). Brasher’s history as an experienced methamphetamine cook combined with his wife’s use of methamphetamine were strong indicators that home confinement would not afford adequate deterrence of further methamphetamine cooking. Nor would it reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law, protect the public from further methamphetamine trafficking, or avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities among defendants with similar records who have been found guilty of similar conduct. See § 3553(a)(1), (a)(2)(A)-(C) & (a)(6). The district court’s failure to impose a sentence of home confinement was not unreasonable in that it was based on Brasher’s medical condition. See § 3553(a)(2)(D).

Brasher’s sentence was supported by the totality of the relevant statutory factors. See United States v. Duhon, 440 F.3d 711, 715 (5th Cir.2006). Accordingly, Brasher’s 48-month sentence is AFFIRMED. 
      
       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.