Opinion ID: 692949
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sentence Enhancement Under U.S.S.G. 3B1.1(a)

Text: 15 Mr. Williams contends that the district court erred in concluding that he was an organizer/leader of five or more conspiracy participants, warranting a four level enhancement under U.S.S.G. 3B1.1(a). We review the district court's factual finding under this provision for clear error. United States v. Litchfield, 959 F.2d 1514, 1521 (10th Cir.1992). The government has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the enhancement under 3B1.1(a) applies to the Defendant. United States v. Mays, 902 F.2d 1501, 1502-03 (10th Cir.1990). 16 Section 3B1.1(a) of the Guidelines provides for a four level enhancement for those offenders who are organizer[s] or leader[s] of a criminal activity that involves five or more participants or was otherwise extensive.... Application of 3B1.1 requires consideration of the following factors: 17 the exercise of decision making authority, the nature of participation in the commission of the offense, the recruitment of accomplices, the claimed right to a larger share of the fruits of the crime, the degree of participation in planning or organizing the offense, the nature and scope of the illegal activity, and the degree of control and authority exercised over others. 18 U.S.S.G. 3B1.1, comment (n.4). 19 From our review of the record, we find that the district court did not err in holding that Mr. Williams occupied a management or leadership role in the marijuana conspiracy which involved five or more persons. At trial, the government established that Mr. Williams controlled the ditch weed operation; he was responsible for its delivery to Mr. Schweibinz; at least nine other persons, beyond those indicted as co-conspirators, assisted Mr. Williams with the harvest, collection, and transportation of the marijuana; the co-conspirators depended on Mr. Williams to instruct them as to when and how much marijuana to harvest; those involved in the conspiracy reported to Mr. Williams, not to Mr. Schweibinz; Mr. Williams recruited members; and he made a significant amount of money, between $100,000 and $200,000 per year, as a result of this operation. These facts clearly support the district court's decision to enhance Mr. Williams' sentence for being a leader/organizer of the marijuana conspiracy. 20