Opinion ID: 602236
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Number of Marijuana Plants

Text: 16 Ms. Thompson contends that the district court erred by finding her responsible for the growth of 1,365 marijuana plants because this figure was based on unreliable testimony from an unindicted coconspirator whom Ms. Thompson did not have the opportunity to cross-examine. Factual findings during sentencing are reviewed for clear error. United States v. Upshaw, 918 F.2d 789, 791 (9th Cir.1990), cert. denied, 111 S.Ct. 1335 (1991). 17 A sentencing court may consider relevant information without regard to its admissibility under the rules of evidence applicable at trial, as long as sufficient indicia of reliability exist. U.S.S.G. § 6A1.3(a); United States v. Notrangelo, 909 F.2d 363, 365 (9th Cir.1990). The sentencing court may also rely on testimony from witnesses whom the defendant did not have an opportunity to cross-examine, particularly if the defendant had an opportunity to object to the controverted information in the PSR and at the sentencing hearing. Notrangelo, 909 F.2d at 365. 18 Ms. Thompson argues that her sentence should be based solely on the 400-700 plants which were grown at Stoller Road. Ms. Thompson objected at sentencing to the government's proffer of grand jury testimony from Randy Auxier, who held title to one of the other properties, to support the contention that Ms. Thompson was responsible for the growth of over 1,000 plants. Ms. Thompson asserts that Auxier's testimony was neither reliable nor credible because he was an unindicted coconspirator testifying for the government in order to avoid going to prison and because she had never cross-examined him. 19 The district court based its estimate of the total number of marijuana plants attributable to Ms. Thompson on the number of grows involved, the amount estimated in each grow, and U.S.S.G. §§ 1B1.3 and 2D1.1. 2 The court relied on the PSR, the testimony of Grand Jury witnesses, and Ms. Thompson's own testimony. Ms. Thompson objected both in writing and at sentencing to the PSR recommendation, testified at the sentencing hearing, and called numerous witnesses on her behalf. 20 The evidence supports a finding that Ms. Thompson was involved in the practical matters of the grow operation and that she was aware of the full scope of operations. It was not clear error for the district court to hold her accountable for all of the marijuana plants involved. See Upshaw, 918 F.2d at 791. Her sentence is AFFIRMED. 21 AFFIRMED.