Opinion ID: 686095
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: McRaven's Sentence.

Text: 39 Finally, Defendant McRaven argues that the evidence was insufficient to support a three-level upward adjustment in his sentence for acting as a manager or supervisor of the planned escape, pursuant to USSG Sec. 3B1.1(b). In reviewing a district court's application of the Sentencing Guidelines to the facts of a particular case, a court of appeals must give due regard to the opportunity of the district court to judge the credibility of the witnesses. 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3742(e). The appellate court should accept the district court's findings of facts unless they are clearly erroneous. Id. However, a preponderance of the evidence must support the sentencing court's findings of fact. United States v. Okayfor, 996 F.2d 116, 122 (6th Cir.1993); United States v. Garner, 940 F.2d 172, 174 (6th Cir.1991). 40 A court may increase a defendant's sentence by three levels if it finds that the defendant was a manager or supervisor of the criminal activity and the activity involved five or more participants or was otherwise extensive in nature. USSG Sec. 3B1.1(b). In determining McRaven's sentence, the district court specifically found the following: a total of five individuals participated in the crime (i.e., witness King plus the four defendants); McRaven supplied the hacksaws; McRaven furnished the toenail clippers used to cut the mesh wire screen that led to the outside; and McRaven participated in the earliest stages of the escape plans. A preponderance of the evidence supports the district court's decision to impose an upward adjustment to McRaven's sentence. 41 AFFIRMED.