Opinion ID: 619103
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Miller's Sentence

Text: Miller argues that the district court abused its discretion in running 60 months of the 210-month sentence for his conviction on Count Six (obstructing an official proceeding) consecutively to the 240-month sentence he received for his conviction on Count One (conspiring to possess with intent to distribute crack). Under the Sentencing Guidelines, Miller's total offense level was 32, his criminal history category was IV, and the advisory Guideline range was 168 to 210 months. His conviction on Count One and the Government's filing of a 21 U.S.C. § 851 prior felony information, however, increased his mandatory sentence to 240 months. By imposing a 300-month sentence, the district court departed not only from the Guidelines, but also from Probation's recommendation of 240 months. A district court has discretion under 18 U.S.C. § 3584(b) to run sentences consecutively or concurrently in accordance with the § 3553(a) factors. During Miller's sentencing hearing, the district court stated that one of the reasons for his departure was that Miller's two co-defendants each received life sentences. We are satisfied upon reviewing Miller's sentencing hearing that the district court took the § 3553(a) factors into account in determining his sentence. Moreover, avoiding unwarranted sentencing disparities among co-defendants is a valid sentencing consideration. See United States v. McElwee, 646 F.3d 328, 345 (5th Cir.2011). Thus, Miller's sentence was not substantively unreasonable, and the district court did not abuse its discretion in running 60 months of Miller's sentence on Count Six consecutively to his 240-month sentence on Count One.