Opinion ID: 4445950
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Christian Chapman

Text: Christian Chapman received his drug supply from Rush and then redistributed the methamphetamine to his own cus‐ tomers. Chapman also stands in a similar procedural posture to Rush. Chapman was indicted on one count of conspiracy to pos‐ sess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled sub‐ stances in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methampheta‐ mine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). The government also filed a § 851 information notifying Chapman that it in‐ tended to rely on three prior felony convictions for enhanced sentencing: a 2000 conviction in Indiana for felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance (the “2000 Indiana con‐ viction”) and two 1993 convictions in Illinois for felony un‐ lawful possession of controlled substances (together the “1993 Illinois convictions”). These prior convictions, too, meant that Chapman faced a mandatory minimum of life imprisonment. See 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1) (2018). 8 Nos. 18‐2009, et al. Like Rush, Chapman agreed to plead guilty in exchange for the government alleging only one of his three prior felony drug convictions under §§ 841 and 851. Chapman entered into a Rule 11(c)(1)(C) binding plea agreement and pleaded guilty to the one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances. The gov‐ ernment dismissed the remaining two counts of the indict‐ ment against Chapman and filed an amended § 851 infor‐ mation reflecting only the 2000 Indiana conviction. The plea agreement agreed upon a period of incarceration of 300 months. The district court accepted the plea agreement and imposed the twenty‐five‐year sentence. Chapman appeals his sentence, asserting that none of his prior state court convictions qualified as predicate felony drug oﬀenses under § 851, and thus his guilty plea was not knowing and voluntary.