Opinion ID: 2967330
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sentencings

Text: Both Phifer and Angle were sentenced on August 19, 1996, and the district court filed their judgment and commitment orders on September 23, 1996. At both sentencing proceedings, the government relied on a thorough and detailed presentence report (PSR) prepared by Probation Officer Christine S. Nickel. The presentence reports' estimates of the drug quantities and drug types reasonably foreseeable to both Angle and Phifer were based on systematic analyses of the testimony of the witnesses and the admitted evidence. At Phifer's sentencing, the district court accepted the PSR's total offense level of 40 (a base offense level of 38 for the drug quantity with a two-point enhancement for possession of a firearm). The district court reduced the criminal history category to Category I from 6 the PSR's recommendation of Category II. Phifer faced an adjusted sentencing range of 292 to 365 months and the district court sentenced him to 292 months. At Angle's sentencing, the district court reduced the recommended base offense level from 38 to 34. With a two-point enhancement for the possession of a firearm, Angle's total offense level was 36. The government conceded to a criminal history category reduction from Category III to Category II because of confusion over Angle's criminal record. This reduced Angle's sentencing range from 360 months to life to 210 to 262 months. The district court sentenced Angle to 210 months. On August 26 and 27, 1996, Angle and Phifer, respectively, filed timely notices of appeal of their convictions and sentences. On March 20, 1998 and again on March 3, 1999, the district court denied Phifer's motions for a new trial. Also on March 3, 1999, Phifer noted his appeal of the district court's denial of his new trial motions. On appeal, the defendants make various challenges to their convictions and sentences. First, Phifer alleges that the district court abused its discretion in failing to instruct the jury on the statute of limitations issue regarding the drug conspiracy. Second, Angle alleges that the district court committed reversible error in denying his motion to suppress evidence derived from a search of his residence. Third, Angle contends that the district court erred in admitting into evidence photocopies of marked currency. Fourth, Phifer argues that the district court was clearly erroneous when it failed to make specific findings in determining the drug quantity and drug type attributed to Phifer at his sentencing. Finally, Angle also alleges that the district court erred in determining the drug quantity and drug type attributed to Angle at his sentencing. Again, after carefully considering the record in this case, the briefs, and the parties' argument, this court affirms the district court's rulings in part but vacates and remands in part with respect to Phifer and Angle's sentencings.