Opinion ID: 604198
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Hoac's Role in the Offense

Text: 31 Hoac argues that the district court erred in failing to reduce his base offense level by two as a minor participant pursuant to § 3B1.2(b) of the Sentencing Guidelines. A defendant must prove his status as a minor participant by a preponderance of the evidence. United States v. Howard, 894 F.2d 1085, 1090 (9th Cir.1990). Because a defendant's role in the offense is a factual conclusion rather than a legal one, United States v. Sanchez-Lopez, 879 F.2d 541, 557 (9th Cir.1989), we review the district court's finding that Hoac was not a minor participant for clear error. United States v. Peters, 962 F.2d 1410, 1414 (9th Cir.1992). 32 Guidelines § 3B1.2 provides for a two-level reduction in the base offense level if the defendant was a minor participant in the offense and a four-level reduction if he was a minimal participant. The Application Notes define a minor participant as any participant who is less culpable than most other participants, but whose role could not be described as minimal. U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2, Application Note 3. The downward adjustment for minor or minimal participants is to be used infrequently. United States v. Gillock, 886 F.2d 220, 222 (9th Cir.1989) (per curiam). 33 Hoac describes himself as a courier and argues that he is therefore entitled to a reduction in base offense level as a minor participant. The record contains ample evidence to support the view that Hoac was more than a mere courier. He owned the trading company and leased the warehouse to which the drugs were delivered, attended two foreign meetings to discuss the shipment with his coconspirators, and was paid a substantial sum for his participation. Because we conclude that Hoac's involvement in the offense was greater than that of a courier, we do not reach the issue of whether one who is solely a courier is automatically entitled to a reduction of his base offense level as a minor participant. See United States v. Flores-Payon, 942 F.2d 556, 561 (9th Cir.1991); United States v. Rigby, 896 F.2d 392, 395 (9th Cir.1990). 2 34 Hoac also argues that the district court should have found him to be a minor participant because he had no ownership interest in the narcotics in his possession. We reject this argument. Hoac received and transported the narcotics in exchange for substantial compensation. Moreover, we have held that a defendant is not entitled to minor participant status merely because he may be less culpable than his codefendants. United States v. Andrus, 925 F.2d 335, 337 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 112 S.Ct. 249, 116 L.Ed.2d 204 (1991); United States v. Rexford, 903 F.2d 1280, 1282 (9th Cir.1990). The district court's finding that Hoac was not a minor participant was not clearly erroneous.