Opinion ID: 171619
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Parker's sentence

Text: Parker challenges both the procedural and substantive reasonableness of his sentence. Procedurally, Parker challenges the two-level upward adjustment for a leadership role and the district court's explanation of the § 3553(a) factors. Substantively, he challenges the length of the sentence. We review sentences for reasonableness by giving deference to the district court under the familiar abuse-of-discretion standard. Gall v. United States, ___ U.S. ___, 128 S.Ct. 586, 594, 169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007); see United States v. Smart, 518 F.3d 800, 805 (10th Cir.2008) (noting that it is now well settled that we review a district court's sentencing decisions solely for abuse of discretion). We address the procedural and substantive reasonableness in turn.
Parker makes two arguments of procedural error. First, he challenges the district court's calculation of the sentencing guidelines range and, second, he contends the district court inadequately explained its decision not to depart downward. See Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 597 (noting as examples of significant procedural error a district court's failing to calculate (or improperly calculating) the Guidelines range and failing to adequately explain the chosen sentence); see also United States v. Romero, 491 F.3d 1173, 1176 (10th Cir. 2007) (treating defendant's allegation that the district court failed to explain its reasons for rejecting a below-Guidelines sentence as a claim of procedural unreasonableness).