Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/897/1217/436248/
Timestamp: 2020-08-04 01:46:11
Document Index: 553184534

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 846', '§ 848', '§ 846', 'art 5', '§ 3742', 'art 3']

United States of America, Appellee, v. Leonard R. Fuller, Defendant, Appellant, 897 F.2d 1217 (1st Cir. 1990) :: Justia
Justia › US Law › Case Law › Federal Courts › Courts of Appeals › First Circuit › 1990 › United States of America, Appellee, v. Leonard R. Fuller, Defendant, Appellant
United States of America, Appellee, v. Leonard R. Fuller, Defendant, Appellant, 897 F.2d 1217 (1st Cir. 1990)
US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit - 897 F.2d 1217 (1st Cir. 1990) Heard Feb. 6, 1990. Decided March 12, 1990
Leonard Fuller appeals from a judgment of the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire sentencing him to 63 months imprisonment for the crime, to which he pleaded guilty, of conspiracy to distribute marijuana in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. The issue on appeal is whether the district court erred in finding that Fuller was a leader, organizer, manager, or supervisor in the commission of drug distribution crimes, so as to subject his sentencing level to an upward adjustment by two levels. Because we conclude that the district court's finding was clearly erroneous, we vacate the sentence and remand for resentencing.
On May 3, 1989, Fuller was indicted in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire on charges of engaging in a criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana, and possession with intent to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 848, 846, and 841(a). The government also sought forfeiture of all proceeds from the illegal activity. On June 27, 1989, Fuller entered into a plea bargain with the government, under which he pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute approximately 370 pounds (168 kilograms) of marijuana in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. Pursuant to the agreement, Fuller also agreed to pay the government $120,000 in satisfaction of any further criminal or civil forfeiture liability.
Fuller's base offense level was determined to be 26, which applies to offenses involving 100-399 kilograms of marijuana.1 See Sentencing Guidelines Sec. 2D1.1(a) (3) and Drug Quantity Table. His offense level was reduced two levels, pursuant to section 3E1.1(a), for accepting responsibility for his criminal conduct. The offense level was then increased by two levels for conduct as an "organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor," under section 3B1.1(c). Accordingly, the total offense level was 26. The sentencing range for level 26 is 63-78 months imprisonment. See Sentencing Guidelines Part 5A (Sentencing Table). The district court sentenced Fuller to the lower end of the range, 63 months in prison, followed by 48 months of supervised release.
Since the district court's determination that Fuller was an "organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor" involves application of the Guidelines to a particular set of facts, we will reverse this finding only if clearly erroneous, see United States v. Diaz-Villafane, 874 F.2d 43, 48 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 110 S. Ct. 177, 107 L. Ed. 2d 133 (1989), or if premised on misapprehension of the applicable law. See 18 U.S.C. § 3742(f) (1).
Although the Guidelines do not specifically define "organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor," the commentary to the Guidelines provide some basis for discerning when an upward adjustment for an aggravated role under section 3B1.1(c) is appropriate.2 First, the comments clearly indicate that section 3B1.1 is intended to apply only to criminal activity engaged in by more than one participant. The introductory commentary to Chapter 3, Part B of the sentencing guidelines states that "[w]hen an offense is committed by more than one participant, Sec. 3B1.1 or Sec. 3B1.2 (or neither) may apply." The "Background" comment to section 3B1.1 states, "This section provides a range of adjustments to increase the offense level based upon the size of a criminal organization (i.e., the number of participants in the offense) and the degree to which the defendant was responsible for committing the offense." (emphasis added). Section 3B1.4 of the Guidelines provides, in any case other than those specified in Part 3B, "no adjustment is made for the role in the offence." The commentary to this section states, "Many offenses are committed by a single individual or by individuals of roughly equal culpability so that none of them will receive an adjustment under this Part." Courts have accordingly held that section 3B1.1 applies only to criminal activity engaged in by more than one participant. See, e.g., United States v. William M. Carroll, 893 F.2d 1502 at 1511 (6th Cir. 1990) ("We hold that enhancement pursuant to Sec. 3B1.1 requires the participation of at least two culpable individuals so that leadership of some criminal enterprise or organization, however minimal, can be claimed."); United States v. Mejia-Orosco, 867 F.2d 216, 220 (5th Cir.) ("The introductory statement to this part of the guidelines clearly indicates that there must be more than one participant in the criminal activity for this section to apply."), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 109 S. Ct. 3257, 106 L. Ed. 2d 602 (1989); United States v. Herrera, 878 F.2d 997, 1002 (7th Cir. 1989) (the involvement of "two to five participants in the criminal activity" is needed for section 3B1.1(c) to apply).3
Sentencing Guidelines Sec. 3B1.1, Application Note 3. See also United States v. Diaz-Villafane, 874 F.2d 43, 44 (1st Cir. 1989) (district court's finding that defendant was subject to an upward adjustment under section 3B1.1(c) was supported by "evidence that the defendant boasted of controlling the area and that he was protected with a bunch of individuals riding bikes, motorcycles and cars" and by evidence that witness described him as a "leader"); Herrera, 878 F.2d at 1002 (district court's finding that defendant was an "organizer" of offense carried on with his wife was supported by sufficient evidence in that "[defendant's] control over his wife was easily established").
Moreover, we think that to apply an upward adjustment in these circumstances might present the risk of subjecting the defendant to double counting in sentencing. The district court's decision to make an upward adjustment of two levels rested primarily on the fact that Fuller was engaged in distributing large quantities of marijuana. However, the quantity of marijuana involved had already been taken into consideration in determining the base offense level.5 Although the probation officer concluded that the evidence supported a finding that Fuller had distributed more marijuana than the amount specified in his guilty plea, this higher amount was not sufficient to give Fuller's offense a higher base offense level. See supra note 1. Thus, to increase the offense level because of the quantity of marijuana that Fuller dealt with would have the effect of accounting for this factor twice. Cf. United States v. Guerrero, 863 F.2d 245, 251 (2d Cir. 1988) ("If the judge had selected a guideline range ... based on the [quantity of drugs involved], we would doubt that this same quantity could be used to justify a departure above that range.").
In a recent opinion, a panel of the Ninth Circuit held that section 3B1.1 may apply to a defendant who acts as a leader or organizer of others who were tricked by the defendant into engaging in criminal activity, but who lacked any criminal intent. United States v. Earl Thomas Anderson, 895 F.2d 641 (9th Cir. 1990). Judge Kozinski, dissenting, argued that section 3B1.1 applies only where the defendant exercised control over at least one other person who is criminally responsible for the commission of the offense. Both the majority and dissent, however, apparently agreed that the defendant must be in a position of control or authority over other persons assisting in the commission of the offense
In Herrera, the court indicated that the quantity of illegal substance involved may be relevant to the defendant's role in a criminal offense. Id. at 1001 n. 3. However, the court rejected the proposition that the quantity involved was probative in determining whether the defendant exercised control over others so as to justify an upward adjustment pursuant to section 3B1.1. See id. at 1001. But cf. United States v. Barrett, 890 F.2d 855, 867-68 (6th Cir. 1989) (findings that the defendant was a source of cocaine for several other persons; that he dealt with large quantities; that substantial income was involved; that he sold cocaine on credit; and that the illegal activity took place over several years, justified an upward adjustment pursuant to section 3B1.1); United States v. Barreto, 871 F.2d 511, 512-13 (5th Cir. 1989) ("A 'middleman' who simply coordinates the purchase of drugs from sources and sells to others may be an organizer, even if his operation can be characterized as minimally structured.") (citation omitted)
Fuller's base offense level was level 26, which applies to offenses involving 100 to 399 kilograms of marijuana. See Sentencing Guidelines Sec. 2D1.1(a) (3), Drug Quantity Table