Opinion ID: 203028
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to Impose Reasonable, Individualized Sentence

Text: Cabello, who was convicted of both the conspiracy and aiding and abetting counts, was sentenced to 235 months' imprisonment, which was the low end of the applicable guidelines range. His counsel requested a three-year sentence based on his particular circumstances. On appeal, Cabello argues that the district court erred in failing to give him the benefit of various mitigating factors, including his status as both an alien and first-time offender, and his age (63), arguing that these conditions make a lengthy prison term less appropriate or more arduous than in other cases. [36] He asserts that the court's strict application of the guidelines, without giving him credit for these factors, denied him an individualized sentence and thus was unreasonable and in contravention of 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(2). [37] Challenges to the reasonableness of a sentence are reviewed with deference to the district court's determination. United States v. Dixon, 449 F.3d 194, 204 (1st Cir.2006). If the court has made no legal error and has offered a plausible explication of its ultimate sentencing decision, we are quite respectful of that decision. Id. Although Cabello's sentence is substantial, it reflects the seriousness of the crimes of which he was convicted. He was found guilty of two charges involving transport of nearly 2,000 kilograms of cocaine, and significant inculpatory evidence was found in his berth. The court noted that the amount and type of narcotics involved triggered a base offense level of 38, [38] and there were no adjustments to which Cabello was entitled. Finding no justification for varying from the guidelines, the court imposed the bottom term within the applicable range. Although even that low-end sentence could result in his incarceration to age 82, advanced age typically is deemed relevant in determining whether a departure is warranted only when the offender is elderly and infirm and where a form of punishment such as home confinement might be equally efficient as and less costly than incarceration. U.S.S.G. § 5H1.1. We do not consider a 63-year-old to be elderly for purposes of sentencing, and there is no indication that Cabello is infirm or that home confinement would be an appropriate substitute for incarceration. Consequently, section 5H1.1 is inapplicable. In sum, the district court imposed a sentence that reflects the severity of the crime and reasonably rejected any deviation from the guidelines. We find no reversible error.