Case ID: f-appx_15/html/0053-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Gregory DASH, Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 004756.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
    Submitted May 31, 2001.
    Decided June 29, 2001.
    
      Thomas P. McNamara, Federal Public Defender, Stephen C. Gordon, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Raleigh, NC, for appellant. Janice McKenzie Cole, United States Attorney, Anne M. Hayes, Assistant United States Attorney, Mary Jude Darrow, Assistant United States Attorney, Raleigh, NC, for appellee.
    Before WILKINS, WILLIAMS, and TRAXLER, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Gregory Dash challenges his 210-month sentence imposed after his guilty plea to charges of distribution of cocaine base and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, cocaine hydrochloride, and marijuana. On appeal, Dash alleges that the district court clearly erred in applying a sentencing enhancement for possession of a firearm under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines § 2Dl.l(b)(l) (1998). He further argues that it was error to apply the sentence enhancement without charging possession of a firearm in the indictment and submitting it to a jury under Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000). Finding no error, we affirm.

Section 2Dl.l(b)(l) of the Sentencing Guidelines calls for the imposition of a two-level enhancement “[i]f a dangerous weapon (including a firearm) was possessed.” The enhancement “should be applied if the weapon was present, unless it is clearly improbable that the weapon was connected with the offense.” U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1, comment, (n.3). In order to avoid application of the adjustment, the defendant must show that the connection between the drug offense and the dangerous weapon possession was clearly improbable. See United States v. Harris, 128 F.3d 850, 853 (4th Cir.1997). “[T]he proximity of guns to illicit narcotics can support a district court’s enhancement of a defendant’s sentence under Section 2D1.1(b)(1).” Id. at 852. The district court’s factual findings pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2Dl.l(b)(l) are reviewed for clear error. See United States v. Apple, 915 F.2d 899, 914 (4th Cir.1990). Our review of the record leads us to conclude that the district court did not clearly err in applying this enhancement.

Dash’s argument that it was error to apply the weapons enhancement without charging possession of a firearm in the indictment and presenting it to the jury is without merit. This court has rejected the very arguments that Dash advances. See United States v. Kinter, 235 F.3d 192, 201 (4th Cir.2000) (sentencing enhancements that do not increase the statutory maximum do not violate the principles of Apprendi), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 121 S.Ct. 1393, 149 L.Ed.2d 316 (2001). While we acknowledge Dash’s request that the court reconsider its prior opinions, a panel may not overrule the decision of a prior panel in this Circuit. See Brubaker v. City of Richmond, 943 F.2d 1363, 1381-82 (4th Cir.1991).

We therefore affirm the judgment. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED.