Case ID: f-appx_29/html/0808-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "SCIRICA, Circuit Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, v. Jason Wayne MOORE, Appellant.
    No. 01-3211.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Argued Oct. 12, 2001.
    Jan. 31, 2002.
    
      Christopher H. O’Malley, Esquire, (Argued) Office of Federal Public Defender, Camden, NJ, for Appellant.
    Ricardo Solano, Jr., Esquire, (Argued) Office of United States Attorney, Newark, NJ, for Appellee.
    Before BECKER, Chief Judge, SCIRICA and GREENBERG, Circuit Judges.
   MEMORANDUM OPINION

SCIRICA, Circuit Judge.

Jason Moore pled guilty under a plea agreement to the misdemeanor of manufacturing paper similar in size to U.S. currency (18 U.S.C. § 491). He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, one year supervised release, a $25 assessment and restitution of $820 to Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park.

The issue on appeal is whether the District Court erred in not applying the minor role deduction under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2. We will affirm.

I.

Moore was involved in a counterfeit money operation led by David Delisi that also involved Kirsten Kirch and two other juveniles. On July 19, 1999, Moore, Delisi and one of the juveniles passed three counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve notes at a convenience store in Jackson, New Jersey. Joined by Kirch and the other juvenile, they subsequently passed a total of 16 counterfeit $20 notes at Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park in Jackson.

Delisi accepted responsibility as the leader of the operation. He created the counterfeit notes at his home using a personal computer, scanner, printer and paper cutter. Moore assisted in manufacturing by cutting sheets of counterfeit notes into individual notes. With Moore’s assistance, Delisi created $2000 in counterfeit $20 notes.

The statutory maximum sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 491(b) is 12 months’ imprisonment. Moore’s base offense level was 9. U.S.S.G. § 2B5.1. In his plea agreement, Moore stipulated to an offense level of 15 for his involvement in manufacturing counterfeit currency. U.S.S.G. § 2B5.1(b)(2). Two levels were reduced because Moore had clearly accepted responsibility for his actions. U.S.S.G. § 3E1.l(a). With an adjusted offense level of 13 and a Criminal History Category of I, Moore’s sentencing guideline range was 12 to 18 months’ imprisonment. The sentencing judge denied Moore’s motion for a minor role deduction under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2 and sentenced Moore to 12 months’ imprisonment.

II.

Moore contends the denial of his § 3B1.2 motion was not factually supported. We review § 3B1.2 denials based on allegedly faulty factual findings for clear error. United States v. Isaza-Zapata, 148 F.3d 236, 237 (3d Cir.1998) (citing United States v. Bierley, 922 F.2d 1061, 1064 (3d Cir.1990)). A “minor role” deduction is applicable when the defendant was less culpable than most of the other participants. U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2, Application Note 3. Sentencing courts have broad discretion in applying § 3B1.2, “and their rulings are left largely undisturbed by the courts of appeal.” Isaza-Zapata, 148 F.3d at 238. The factual determination depends on “(1) the defendant’s awareness of the nature and scope of the criminal enterprise; (2) the nature of the defendant’s relationship to the other participants; and (3) the importance of the defendant’s actions to the success of the venture.” United States v. Brown, 250 F.3d 811, 819 (3d Cir.2001). These factors should be weighed comparatively between the defendant and other participants. Id. at 819. The record supports the sentencing court’s determination that Moore was not less culpable than most of the participants involved in the criminal conduct. We see no clear error.

Moore also contends the District Court mistakenly believed a § 3B1.2 deduction could not be granted in a misdemeanor conviction. This claim is meritless.

III.

For the foregoing reasons, we will affirm the judgment of conviction and sentence.