Opinion ID: 899522
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Albert Savani

Text: In May 2008, Savani entered into a cooperation plea agreement with the government and pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, more than 50 grams of crack cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) and 846. At that time, the base offense level dictated by the crack cocaine guideline for this conviction was 30. See U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(c) (Nov. 2007). Savani received a two-level reduction for his minor role in the offense and a three level reduction for acceptance of responsibility, yielding a total adjusted offense level of 25. Based upon his total offense level of 25 and a criminal history category of II, Savani’s initial guideline sentencing range was 63-78 months of imprisonment. See U.S.S.G. § 5A. However, because of the amount of crack cocaine involved in the offense, Savani was subject to a tenyear mandatory minimum sentence, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)(A). See U.S.S.G. § 1B1.1(h) (Nov. 2007). Therefore, his guideline sentence was deemed to be 120 months. See U.S.S.G. § 5G1.1(b) (―Where a statutorily required minimum sentence is greater than the maximum of the applicable guideline range, the statutorily required minimum sentence shall be the guideline sentence.‖). The plea agreement also provided that, if Savani provided substantial assistance to the government, the government might request the court to depart below the 6 applicable mandatory minimum, the applicable guideline range, or both, when imposing his sentence. At Savani’s sentencing, the government moved, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3553(e) and U.S.S.G. § 5k1.1, for the court to depart from the mandatory minimum and to impose a sentence within the Sentencing Guidelines range of 63 to 78 months’ imprisonment. The District Court not only granted the motion to depart, it departed further than the government had requested and imposed a sentence of 46 months, which was below the mandatory minimum. Savani died on January 29, 2013.