Opinion ID: 496185
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Mark Deleonardis' Sentence

Text: 41 Deleonardis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy under 21 U.S.C. Sec. 846, and six counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute. He was sentenced to twenty years on Count One, an additional five years on Count Six, twenty years each on Counts Seven through Ten concurrently with Count One, a fine of $350, and lifetime parole. He now argues that this sentence violates the Eighth Amendment, citing Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 103 S.Ct. 3001, 77 L.Ed.2d 637 (1983), and quoting statistics regarding average sentences in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere. The evidence Deleonardis presents is similar to that in United States v. Ortiz, 742 F.2d 712 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 1075, 105 S.Ct. 573, 83 L.Ed.2d 513 (1984), where we upheld a ten-year prison term plus ten-year parole sentence for conviction of a single count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Even without considering the statistical evidence, Deleonardis' total twenty-five year sentence for seven separate counts seems eminently reasonable in comparison to Ortiz and some of the cases cited therein. Ortiz, 742 F.2d at 717. Unpersuaded by Deleonardis' Eighth Amendment argument, we affirm his sentence.