Source: http://pa.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20080430_0000489.MPA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2017-01-18 16:39:08
Document Index: 343412508

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 3582', '§ 841', '§ 841', '§ 4', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1']

| United States v. Nacho
United States v. Nacho
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PLAINTIFFv.DANTE NACHO, DEFENDANT
Defendant, Dante Nacho, filed a pro se motion for reduction of his sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c) pursuant to Amendment 706 to the sentencing guidelines, which generally reduces the base offense level for crack cocaine offenses by two levels. The Federal Public Defender was then appointed to represent him but has filed a motion to withdraw as counsel.
The government opposes the reduction motion because the amendment has no effect on the calculation of Defendant's guideline range as a result of Defendant's career-offender status. We agree with the government and will deny the motion
In April 2006, Defendant executed a written plea agreement in which he agreed to plead guilty to count VI of the indictment against him, charging him with distribution and possession with the intent to distribute an unspecified quantity of crack cocaine and heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). This offense has a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years. Id. § 841(b)(1)(C). Defendant pled guilty on April 20, 2006.
The presentence report (PSR) had the following calculation of Defendant's guideline range. At that time, section 2D1.1 provided a base offense level of 28 for Defendant's drug quantity, converted to a marijuana equivalent for sentencing purposes. Two levels were added for possession of firearms during the drug offenses and three levels were deducted for acceptance of responsibility for a total offense level of 27. (PSR ¶¶ 19-27). However, because of Defendant's two prior convictions for drug-trafficking offenses, he was subject to career-offender enhancements under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.1. Thus, Defendant's total offense level became 29, not 27, using the following calculations. Under section 4B1.1(b)(C), Defendant's offense level started off at 32 because his offense had a statutory maximum of twenty years. Subtracting three points from this level for acceptance of responsibility resulted in a total offense level of 29. (PSR ¶¶ 28-29). Section 4B1.1(b) also required that, as a career offender, Defendant be assigned a criminal history category of VI. (PSR ¶ 40).*fn1 This made Defendant's guideline range 151 to 188 months. (PSR ¶ 85).
At sentencing on September 21, 2006, the government moved for a downward departure under section 5K1.1 based on Defendant's substantial assistance. This motion was granted, and Defendant was sentenced to 108 months' imprisonment.
Id., § 1B1.10(b)(1). The court "shall not reduce the defendant's term of imprisonment . . . to a term that is less than the minimum of the amended guideline range . . . ." Id., § 1B1.10(b)(2)(A). However, in pertinent part, if the defendant had been sentenced to a term of imprisonment "less than the term of imprisonment provided by" his guideline range at the time of the original sentencing, "a reduction comparably less than the amended guideline range determined under [§ 1B1.10(b)(1)] may be appropriate." Id., § 1B1.10(b)(2)(B).
In opposing Defendant's motion, the government argues he is not entitled to a reduction because the policy statement prohibits a reduction if the amendment does not have the effect of lowering Defendant's applicable guideline range. We agree that the amendment does not ...