Case Name: UNITED STATES of America v. Michael WALKER, Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2006-03-30
Citations: 172 F. App'x 460
Docket Number: No. 05-1624
Parties: UNITED STATES of America v. Michael WALKER, Appellant.
Judges: Before RENDELL, SMITH, and BECKER, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 172
Pages: 460–461

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America v. Michael WALKER, Appellant.
No. 05-1624.
United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
Submitted under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a) March 28, 2006.
Decided March 30, 2006.
Before RENDELL, SMITH, and BECKER, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
OPINION OF THE COURT
BECKER, Circuit Judge.
Michael Walker appeals from the judgment of sentence imposed on May 11, 2005, committing him to 120 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release. Walker pled guilty to distribution of cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a). As part of the plea agreement, he stipulated that he distributed or possessed with intent to distribute 50 to 150 grams of cocaine base. Walker contends that the sentence is unduly severe given evidence of Walker's support for his biological children and his girlfriend's other two children, his immediate acceptance of responsibility, and his potential for rehabilitation. Additionally, Walker submits that a sentence as harsh as ten years was unnecessary to deter Walker or others from future crime. His legal argument (this is a post-Booker sentence), see United States v. Booker; 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), is that the sentence was unreasonable under the dictates of 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).
We have carefully examined the transcript of sentencing. Walker's counsel advanced each of these arguments and presented the testimony of Walker's girlfriend, and Judge Nealon listened and engaged in colloquy. After doing so, Judge Nealon declared that "the court finds . a sentence of 120 months to be reasonable in view of the considerations expressed in 18 U.S.Code Section 3553(a)" and "the government's motion for downward departure pursuant to Sentencing Guideline 5K1.1." He noted, inter alia, Walker's "long road of criminal offenses" starting at age 12. The ultimate sentence was well below the minimum guidelines range.
To the extent that Walker is alleging error for failure to depart downward on account of family ties and responsibilities, we lack appellate jurisdiction. See United States v. Cooper, 437 F.3d 324, 333 (3d Cir.2006). Otherwise we have authority to review the sentence for reasonableness. See id. at 327. However, the Court did everything the Cooper panel requires in terms of its analysis and we find no error in its determination of reasonableness.
The judgment of sentence will be affirmed.
. Walker received a Guidelines § 5K1.1 downward departure, as well as a three-point reduction for acceptance of responsibility.