Case ID: f-appx_434/html/0155-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "NYGAARD, Circuit Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America v. Robert SCOTT, II, a/k/a Lil Rob, a/k/a Clever Robert D. Scott, II, Appellant
    No. 09-1203.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a) April 25, 2011.
    Filed: June 29, 2011.
    
      Daryl F. Bloom, Esq., James T. Clancy, Esq., Gordon A.D. Zubrod, Esq., Office of United States Attorney, Harrisburg, PA, for United States of America.
    Michael G. Leonard, Esq., Hughesville, PA, for Appellant.
    BEFORE: BARRY, HARDIMAN, and NYGAARD, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION OF THE COURT

NYGAARD, Circuit Judge.

Robert Scott, II pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport individuals for purposes of engaging in prostitution, coercing and enticing individuals to travel to engage in prostitution, and interstate travel with intent to distribute proceeds of prostitution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 2421, 2422(a), and 1952(a). He also pleaded guilty to a separate count of interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1952(a)(3).

Quoting Scott’s brief, he appeals the following:

1. Whether the cross-reference to section U.S.S.G. 2G1.1 of the advisory guidelines should apply because no evidence was produced which was not hearsay, subject to cross-examination or otherwise secured with the indicia of reliability and clear and convincing evidence.
2. Whether sufficient evidence existed to permit a two point enhancement under U.S.S.G. 2A3.1(b)(4)(B) because bodily injury is deemed to have occurred if the offense involved conduct constituting criminal sexual abuse under 18 U.S.C. 2241 or 2242 or any similar offense under state law.

Appellant’s Brief, p. 1. We review the factual findings of the District Court for clear error and have plenary review over the District Court’s interpretation of the Guidelines. United States v. Jimenez, 513 F.3d 62, 85 (3d Cir.2008).

The District Court established a base offense level according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual § 2G1.1 (2006). He claims that the District Court improperly applied the cross-reference to section 2A3.1 in calculating his sentence because it credited unreliable hearsay evidence, not subjected to cross-examination, that he personally prostituted minors.

His objection to such evidence as unreliable hearsay is irrelevant because there is no question that the conspiracy — which included Scott’s father among the co-conspirators — routinely lured minors and young women into prostitution, and then kept them prostituting by creating an environment of fear through the use of coercion, manipulation and physical brutality against them. This conduct was commonplace in the conspiracy. Scott even acknowledges that his co-conspirators used violence against the victims. As such, the record contains ample evidence of relevant, reasonably foreseeable conduct to support the District Court’s cross-reference to section 2A3.1.

Likewise, Scott’s assertion of error regarding the District Court’s application of a two-level enhancement for serious bodily injury, section 2A3.1(b)(4), misses the point. As noted above, Scott’s guilty plea makes all reasonably foreseeable acts of co-conspirators relevant conduct for purposes of the enhancement. Therefore, even were we to disregard evidence of Scott’s violence towards women and girls that he prostituted, the record is replete with testimony of victims who had broken bones, concussions, and deep lacerations from beatings they suffered at the hands of co-conspirator pimps. Scott does not deny knowledge of the violence and injury inflicted by his co-conspirators, he merely argues that did not have any control over their conduct. The District Court did not err by attributing this enhancement to Scott in calculating his sentence.

For these reasons, we will affirm the judgment of sentence of the District Court.