Opinion ID: 195633
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Were the Required Findings Made?

Text: 83 Ovalle contends that the district court failed to make the necessary findings at sentencing as required by Fed.R.Crim.P. 32(c)(3)(D). Prior to the imposition of his sentence, Ovalle contended that the PSR was incorrect in that: 1) the offense level of forty (40) based upon the total quantity of drugs involved (800 kilograms) was incorrect because Ovalle was only convicted of possessing 372 kilograms, and the offense level should therefore only be thirty-eight (38); 2) the four level enhancement based upon Ovalle's role as an organizer or leader of a criminal activity was incorrect because the evidence did not establish that he played such a role; and 3) the two level enhancement for possession of firearms was improper because Ovalle never possessed a firearm. Ovalle contends that the quantity of cocaine that was involved, what role he played in the conspiracy, and whether he possessed a firearm, were unresolved factual matters in controversy prior to sentencing, and the court failed to make any findings with respect to these matters prior to sentencing him. 84 When a defendant claims that the PSR contains factual inaccuracies, the district court must make a finding concerning the allegation, or make a determination that no finding is necessary because the court will not take the matter into account at sentencing. Fed.R.Crim.P. 32(c)(3)(D); 9 United States v. Savoie, 985 F.2d 612, 620 (1st Cir.1993); United States v. Gerante, 891 F.2d 364, 366-67 (1st Cir.1989). This protocol serves the dual purpose of protecting the defendant's due process rights and supplying a clear record for future proceedings.... Savoie, 985 F.2d at 620; Gerante, 891 F.2d at 367. While we have insisted on strict compliance with this rule, we have also found that a court lawfully may make implicit findings with regard to sentencing matters, incorporating by reference suitably detailed suggestions limned in the [Presentence report] or advanced by a party. United States v. Tavano, 12 F.3d 301, 307 (1st Cir.1993) (citations omitted); see United States v. Cruz, 981 F.2d 613, 619 (1st Cir.1992); United States v. Wells Metal Finishing, Inc., 922 F.2d 54, 58 (1st Cir.1991). 85 In the present case, after Ovalle had raised his contentions with respect to the PSR, the court heard argument from both parties regarding the appropriate offense level and what increases in the offense level were warranted. The court then stated: 86 Allright. The Court has heard comments and arguments of counsel and has offered an opportunity of the defendant to address the Court with respect to sentencing. 87 It is the judgment, therefore, the Court finds that on September the 4th, 1992, the defendant Luis Enrique Ovalle Marquez was found guilty by a jury trial as to counts One, Two, Five and Six of Indictment number--Criminal Indictment Number 91-397. 88 Based on Guideline 2D1.1 and the amount of cocaine involved in the offense committed a base level of forty (40) was determined. Since the firearm was possessed during the commission of the instant offense an increase of two levels is warranted. As the defendant is perceived as having been an organizer or leader in the overall criminal activity, the base offense level is increased by four levels pursuant to Section 3B1.1. 89 Incidentally, for purposes of the record that is my finding with respect to your arguments. 90 Based on this record, the court therefore adopted the PSR's recommendations and implicitly found that Ovalle possessed 800 kilograms of cocaine, Ovalle possessed the firearm during the commission of the offense, and Ovalle was an organizer or leader in the criminal activity. The court therefore made the necessary findings in order to adequately comply with Fed.R.Crim.P. 32(c)(3)(D). 10