Opinion ID: 164724
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Enhancement for Three or More Firearms

Text: 25 Mr. Gatewood also appeals the district court's enhancement of his offense level for possession of three or more firearms under USSG § 2K2.1(b)(1)(A). Mr. Gatewood asserts the district court abused its discretion by calling the probation officer as a witness, pointing to the fact that the burden is on the government to prove an enhancement is warranted. Mr. Gatewood also argues that even if the court did not err in allowing the testimony, the evidence was unreliable and should not have been considered. 26 It is the government's burden to prove the facts supporting a sentence enhancement by a preponderance of the evidence. United States v. Martinez-Villalva, 232 F.3d 1329, 1333 (10th Cir.2000). Even though the government bears the burden of proof with regard to enhancements, however, the determination of a convicted offender's sentence is a matter within the discretion of the sentencing judge. United States v. Garcia, 78 F.3d 1457, 1462 (10th Cir.1996). Before making the sentencing determination, a judge may appropriately conduct an inquiry broad in scope, largely unlimited either as to the kind of information he may consider, or the source from which it may come. United States v. Grayson, 438 U.S. 41, 50, 98 S.Ct. 2610, 57 L.Ed.2d 582 (1978) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). The sentencing judge is not bound by the government's recommendations, and the judge has an independent obligation under the guidelines and Tenth Circuit precedent to make sure that the court considers all conduct relevant to a proper sentence. Garcia, 78 F.3d at 1462; see also USSG § 6B1.4(d), & cmt. (contemplating an active role on the part of the sentencing judge in determining the factors relevant to the determination of sentence). 27 The district court is not foreclosed from independently establishing facts when the government, although it carries the burden, fails to present any evidence and the presentence report suggests evidence exists that warrants a higher offense level than the government's recommendation. Garcia, 78 F.3d at 1467. In doing so, the court may act within its discretion and investigate issues raised in the presentence report that may conflict with the government's recommendations, including call[ing] and examin[ing] witnesses to verify the accuracy of the [presentence] report. Id. at 1463; see also Fed.R.Evid. 614 (authorizing judges to call and interrogate witnesses). Unlike in United States v. Guzman, 318 F.3d 1191, 1198 (10th Cir.2003), the court's actions in this case did not impermissibly shift the burden to the Defendant. The court did not abuse its discretion by calling the author of the presentence report to testify with regard to her investigation. 28 Mr. Gatewood asserts that even if the testimony is considered, there is no reliable factual basis for the district court's finding that Mr. Gatewood possessed three or more firearms. Mr. Gatewood relies on the fact that only two weapons were found in the residence when it was searched by law enforcement officers. However, the probation officer testified to numerous statements from the police reports that support the finding that Mr. Gatewood was in possession of three or more firearms. These statements were unchallenged and corroborate one another — they indicate Mr. Gatewood was in possession of a black pistol and at least one other rifle. Such statements may be considered, despite the fact that they constitute hearsay. 29 We have found that where a preparing officer's recommended enhancement is based solely on the unsworn testimony of a girlfriend taken over the phone, the statements did not meet the minimal indicia test. Fennell, 65 F.3d at 813. This case is markedly distinguishable given that the police officers took the statements in person from several people. The evidence of Mr. Gatewood's possession of three or more firearms bears the necessary indicia of reliability, and the court did not err in considering the evidence. The enhancement was proper. 30