Opinion ID: 40560
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 16

Heading: Sentencing: Restraint of Victim

Text: 116 The finding of restraint is a fact question that is reviewed for clear error. United States v. Brugman, 364 F.3d 613, 621 (5th Cir.2004). The Sentencing Guidelines provide for a two level adjustment if the victim was physically restrained in the course of the offense. See U.S.S.G. § 3A1.3. Gonzales contends that the district court double counted by adjusting his sentence based both upon Carrera's restraint and his vulnerability. That Carrera was handcuffed is irrelevant, he argues, because Carrera couldn't move anyway. 117 The district court's finding that both restraint-of-victim and vulnerability adjustments were applicable is plausible in light of the record as a whole. There is evidence that Carrera, though paralyzed from the chest down, had some capacity for movement. It is plausible that because he was handcuffed behind his back, even this limited range of motion was taken away so, for example, his ability to wipe the pepper spray from his eyes was limited even further by handcuffs. We affirm the sentencing court's finding that Carrera was restrained.