Opinion ID: 151874
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Sentence Findings and Sentence

Text: The court began its sentencing remarks by stating that sentencing was the hardest thing it had to do and was particularly difficult in cases like this. The court noted the statutory minimum or floor was 15 years and the ceiling was 30 years, which was also what the court called the guideline score. The court observed that while it was to take into account the guidelines score and consider that score as a benchmark throughout the analysis of the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors, the guidelines are not mandatory; while an important element of the sentencing calculus, the result of the guidelines calculation is only advisory. The court then stated that it needed to look at the other § 3553(a) factors on an individualized basis in order to determine an appropriate sentence for the case. Because of the importance of the court's sentence findings and explanation, we set them out in full: The first thing I need to do is consider the nature and circumstances of the offense, and I cannot quarrel with Ms. Hawkins' description of that. The conduct here was horrific. The victims were numerous and perhaps the most vulnerable of the world's society. So I don't think there's any question but we're dealing with here with an offense that rises to the very top in terms of its seriousness and its effect on other human beings. These young children were victims who may never, never overcome their abuse. I recognize, of course, that Mr. Irey and his family and friends are also victims here; and society at large is a victim because, as Dr. Shaw indicated, with every new development in human history, there seems to come good and bad with it; and with all the good of the Internet, perhaps one of the bad features of it is that it has made possible what Dr. Shaw describes as an epidemic of child pornography. And, unfortunately, we here in the court system witness that and have to deal with it; and our government, in an effort to deal with it, has imposedhas criminal penalties, very harsh sentences for conduct like this. So in terms of the characteristics of the offense, the seriousness of it itself, the long-standing, long-term engagement in it certainly does not mitigate in favor of any leniency. But next I need to look at the history and characteristics of the defendant. By all accounts, Mr. Irey has been a good husband and father for his wife and children and a good friend to his friends and a good person to his community. The lies and thefts, I think, referred to by Ms. Hawkins were essentially part of his effort to cover up his illness, because I think other than the acts of Mr. Irey, there's no indication that he has engaged in any other sort of criminal conduct or conduct representing poor character. Also, in terms of the characteristics of the defendant, I think we're just beginning to learn what pedophilia is and how to deal with it. I think if you look at the reports of the mental health people here and into the literature, which I have done, Mr. Irey's acts that bring him here today, I think it's safe to say, were not purely volitional. I think they were due in substantial part to a recognized illness. And while it does not excuse his conduct and he will still be held accountable for it, I think it would be inappropriate to ignore that fact. I also think it's appropriate to credit the opinion of the mental health professionals who indicate that Mr. Irey is pursuing treatment and is doing so apparently successfully and, in the view of the mental health professionals, is treatable and has a low risk of recidivism. Of course, all of that is somewhat academic because by the time he gets out of prison, he'll be most likely at an age where recidivism would be unlikely, just from a physiological standpoint. Mr. Irey obviously has a very loving family, and I know he's proud of his family and deserves whatever credit he should take for having produced these people who have come here today to speak for him. And I know it was difficult for the family, but I think that your support is important and says a lot, not only about your family, but about Mr. Irey himself. Another aspect of the defendant's character, as I have alluded to, of course, not his character but his individual characteristics, is his age. As I indicated, even the minimum sentence here, he's going to be an old man. I guess that makes me an old man, but he will certainly be an older man when he gets out of prison; and that's, I think, a factor to take into account. There are other aspects of the statute that essentially are subjective in nature. Of course, adequate deterrence to criminal conduct. I mean, a serious sentence is hopefully going to deter others from conducting similar affairs, although when we're dealing with an illness like this, I'm not sure that that rationally follows. But, nevertheless, deterrence is an appropriate consideration, and a stiff sentence is in keeping with the seriousness of this offense. As far as protecting the public from further conduct of this defendant, for the reasons I've indicated, I think that militates against a 30-year sentence, given his age, given the fact that he apparently recognizes now, from everything I've seen, he recognizes the condition that has led him to commit these acts and to put himself and his life and his family's life in the order that it is. He's taken the first step toward rehabilitation and appears to be amenable to treatment and also, according to the mental health professionals, is of low risk of recidivism. So I don't think society needs further protection from him, at least beyond the statutory minimum sentence. As often happens in these cases, my judgmentand I am a fallible human being. So what I do is not necessarily right. I just do the best I can under the circumstances. It comes down to my view of what promotes respect for the law and provides just punishment. And here, as indicated, I think that a 30-year sentence, given the personal factors that I have touched upon, is greater than necessary to accomplish the statutory objectives. On the other hand, in light of the seriousness of the crimes, I think a sentence above the mandatory minimum is called for. So having said all that, it's the judgment of the Court that the defendant, William Irey, is committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a term of 210 months. Upon release from imprisonment, Mr. Irey, you'll be placed on supervised release for a term of life. The mandatory drug testing requirements of the Violent Crime Control Act are imposed. While on supervised release, you must comply with the standard conditions adopted by this court. In addition, I'm going to require you to participate in a substance abuse program and to follow your probation officer's instructions in that regard. You must also participate in a mental health program specializing in sex offender treatment and follow your probation officer's instructions in that regard as well. You must register, as appropriate, with any state offender registration agency and cooperate with your probation officer with respect to complying with that directive. I'll impose the standard terms concerning risk control, that is, no direct contact with minors under 18 without the written approval of your probation officer, prohibition for possessing, subscribing to, viewing any video or magazines, literature otherwise depicting children in the nude or sexually explicit positions. You shall not possess or use a computer with access to any online service without written approval of your probation officer. Also, I'm going to impose a search requirement, that you submit to a search of your person, residence, place of business or any other area under your control at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner based on any reasonable suspicion by your probation officer of contraband or evidence violating these terms of supervised release. You must cooperate with the collection of DNA. I'm not going to impose a fine. You are ordered, however, to pay a special assessment of $100, which shall be due immediately. It's ordered that you shall forfeit to the United States those assets identified in your Plea Agreement that are subject to forfeiture. As indicated, the Court has imposed a sentence below the applicable guideline sentence for the reasons indicated. The defendant had no objection to any aspect of the sentence, including the 210-month (17½-year) term of imprisonment. On behalf of the United States, the AUSA objected to the downward variance of 150 months (12½ years) as unreasonable based on the factors adduced in this record, particularly the seriousness and long-term nature of the offense. She characterized the variance as being almost half. The court responded that the sentence was more like 60 percent of the guideline, not half. Actually, the sentence of 210 months amounts to 58 percent of the advisory guidelines sentence of 360 months, or a downward variance of 42 percent from the guidelines sentence. But, of course, the court could not sentence below the statutory minimum of 15 years in any event. In light of that, it is also accurate to say that within the statutorily prescribed range of 15 to 30 years (a spread of 15 years or 180 months), the court imposed a sentence that was 83 percent from the maximum and only 17 percent above the minimum. As Judge Hill put it, the district court had move[d] so far downward from the maximum upper sentencing limit that he nearly reache[d] the minimum limit. United States v. Irey, 563 F.3d 1223, 1227 (11th Cir.2009) (Hill, J., concurring), vacated, 579 F.3d 1207 (11th Cir.2009) (en banc).