Opinion ID: 161098
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Factual Basis for Departure

Text: 36 Finally, Appellant argues that the district court's departure was erroneous because the government did not adequately prove that he engag[ed] in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor, U.S.S.G. 2G2.2(b)(4), which the court used as a departure factor. In determining whether a defendant's actions justify departure under a particular factor, we must discern whether the record sufficiently supports the factual basis underlying the departure. Collins, 122 F.3d at 1303. In so doing, we ascertain whether the circumstances cited by the district court to justify departure actually exist in the instant case, requiring us to search only for a sufficient factual basis to justify departure. United States v. White, 893 F.2d 276, 278 (10th Cir. 1990). The district court's factual findings will be overturned only if they are clearly erroneous. See id. (citing 18 U.S.C. 3742(e)). 37 The district court found that there was certainly very strong circumstantial evidence that Mr. Neal is a pedophile, that he had young children in his home, and he was exploiting these young children. Tr. at 60. The court examined the findings of the FBI investigation, which revealed that Appellant made an indecent proposal to John Doe #1, touched the genitals of John Doe #2 on multiple occasions, showed John Doe #2 images of two men having sex, and touched the leg of John Doe #3 for the purpose of having a sexual relationship with him. After reviewing the record, we cannot say that the district court's finding that Appellant engag[ed] in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor was clearly erroneous. 38 For the foregoing reasons, the decision of the district court is AFFIRMED.