Opinion ID: 689619
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Vrooman

Text: 13 The probation officer preparing Vrooman's PSR recommended that Vrooman be assessed a two point offense level enhancement based on her role as a leader or organizer in the conspiracy. In support of this recommendation, the probation officer pointed to Vrooman's role in negotiating various drug deals, her ability to arrange for others to deliver drugs on behalf of the conspiracy, and her use of Todd Shafto as an enforcer during the March 5 transaction. The District Court accepted the recommendation. Vrooman contends this decision was in error, as she did not possess the mental capacity to be a leader or organizer of the conspiracy. 14 The government contends that Vrooman should be barred from raising this issue now, as she did not raise it below. We need not decide this issue, as it is clear that the District Court's decision to assess the enhancement was not clearly erroneous. The Sentencing Guidelines provide that [i]f the defendant was an organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor in any criminal activity [involving less than five participants], increase [the offense level] by 2 levels. U.S.S.G. Sec. 3B1.1(c). The application notes following this provision state that 15 [t]o qualify for an adjustment under this section, the defendant must have been the organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor of one or more other participants. An upward departure may be warranted, however, in the case of a defendant who did not organize, lead, manage, or supervise another participant, but who nevertheless exercised management responsibility over the property, assets, or activities of a criminal organization. 16 U.S.S.G. Sec. 3B1.1, comment. (n. 2). The facts set forth in the PSR are sufficient to meet this standard. Vrooman's drug addiction and other mental impairments may have prevented her from playing an effective supervisory role, but they did not completely prevent her from operating in such a capacity.