Opinion ID: 2776671
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The gun is a cop killer.

Text: During the sentencing hearing, the court stated that Mr. Santiago was in possession of an FN pistol, commonly known as the 'cop killer', which had laser sights and [was] loaded with a magazine with ten rounds of ammunition[.] Santiago argues that there is no credible basis on which the court made that characterization. Santiago did not object to this statement below, so we review for plain error only. United States v. Sebastian, 612 F.3d 47, 50 (1st Cir. 2010). The cop killer comment was a reference to the type of firearm, not Santiago, and was made in the context of the district court's consideration of the offense's circumstances: that the gun was loaded, had a laser sight, and was found with $1,300. The court properly considered these aggravating circumstances in determining Santiago's sentence. -3-