Case Name: UNITED STATES of America v. Otto BARBOUR, Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2008-08-12
Citations: 286 F. App'x 802
Docket Number: No. 05-4299
Parties: UNITED STATES of America v. Otto BARBOUR, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 286
Pages: 802–803

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America v. Otto BARBOUR, Appellant.
No. 05-4299.
United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
Submitted Pursuant to Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a) July 21, 2008.
Filed Aug. 12, 2008.
Frank R. Costello, Jr., Office of United States Attorney, Philadelphia, PA, for United States of America.
Dennis P. Caglia, Norristown, PA, for Appellant.
Before: McKEE, FUENTES and JORDAN, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
OPINION OF THE COURT
McKEE, Circuit Judge.
Otto Barbour appeals the sentence that was imposed following remand after his pro se writ of certiorari was granted by the United States Supreme Court. For the reasons that follow, we will affirm the 187 month sentence that was imposed on remand.
We need not set forth the procedural or factual history of this case as we are writing primarily for the parties who are familiar with that background. We note only that Barbour challenges the reasonableness of the sentence that was imposed following remand. He argues that the 187 month sentence was "unreasonably high in light of the fact (1) he was not convicted of participating in any drug conspiracy and (2) he played a limited role in the offense . ". App. Br. 2.
18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) sets forth numerous factors which the district court must consider in fashioning an appropriate sentence. One of those factors, and only one, is the appropriate guideline range. See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(4). Here, the district court calculated a quantity of drugs involved in Barbour's conduct based upon the duration of his participation in the distribution scheme. That calculation is not challenged on appeal. During the re-sentencing, the district court specifically stated its understanding that the applicable Guideline range was merely advisory and that the court was not required to impose a sentence within that range. The court expressed its sympathy toward defendant's arguments but nevertheless explained that Barbour's illegal conduct was serious and that a sentence needed to be imposed which was consistent with the seriousness of the offense. See App. 23. Finally, and more significantly, the court stressed that Barbour's, distribution "affected the housing area of the city . and many of the residents of that area .". App. 28. We also note that some of the distributions included in the instant indict ment occurred soon after Barbour was released from jail. The fact that he resorted to distributing cocaine upon release from jail is certainly relevant to the likelihood of his recidivism and undermines his argument that he is not likely to commit further crimes because of his age. We believe the district court adequately considered the various sentencing factors set forth in § 3553(a), and explained why that sentence is appropriate.
Accordingly we conclude that the 187 month sentence that was imposed on remand was reasonable.