Opinion ID: 166505
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Issues before us on appeal

Text: The defendants now appeal their convictions and sentences. On appeal, the defendants raise several challenges, some of which overlap. Mr. Serrata argues that 1) there is insufficient evidence to support his conviction; 2) the district court erred in applying a four-level enhancement based on its conclusion that Mr. Fuller’s work boots were dangerous weapons, and 3) the district court plainly erred when it found facts by a preponderance of the evidence that resulted in a four-level increase in his sentence, violating his Sixth Amendment rights under Blakely/Booker. Mr. Lipscomb argues that 1) there is insufficient evidence to support his conviction; 2) the district court erred in instructing the jury regarding the intent requirement of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(3); 3) the court erred in refusing to give an accomplice instruction regarding the testimony of one of the government’s witnesses; 4) the district court improperly excluded evidence of Mr. Duran’s prior bad acts; and 5) the district court’s findings of fact by a preponderance of the evidence constituted a violation of his Sixth Amendment rights under Blakely/Booker and amount to plain error. Mr. Fuller argues that 1) the court improperly excluded evidence of Mr. Duran’s prior bad acts; 2) the court improperly applied the aggravated assault -12- guideline instead of the minor assault guideline; 3) the court erred in considering his work boots to be a dangerous weapon and applying a four-level weapon enhancement; and 4) the court committed constitutional plain error when it increased his sentenced in violation of Blakely/Booker. The government cross-appeals, having objected below, and again arguing that the district court erred in granting a five-level downward departure to each defendant. We affirm each of the defendant’s convictions, and we hold that the district court did not err when it applied the aggravated assault guidelines. We agree with the government that the district court’s abused its discretion when it granted each defendant a five-level downward departure. Finally, we agree with the defendants that their sentencing amounts to plain error in the wake of Blakely/Booker. We thus vacate each of their sentences and remand to the district court for resentencing.