Opinion ID: 40802
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the presentence report and first sentencing hearing

Text: 4 The presentence report (PSR) determined a base offense level of fifteen. U.S.S.G. § 2G2.4 (2002). 1 It recommended three two-level enhancements under section 2G2.4(b) because (1) the material involved minors under twelve, (2) the offense involved the possession of ten or more images, and (3) Duhon used a computer. The PSR also subtracted three levels for acceptance of responsibility. U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1. Thus, it arrived at an adjusted offense level of eighteen. Given Duhon's category I criminal history, the PSR calculated the Guideline range at twenty-seven to thirty-three months imprisonment. 5 Duhon objected to the PSR's suggested enhancements for the age of the children and number of images involved, citing Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 124 S.Ct. 2531, 159 L.Ed.2d 403 (2004). He argued that these facts had neither been admitted to nor found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. He also moved for a downward departure, claiming that a back injury he suffered in 1987 was an extraordinary physical impairment that warranted a sentence below the applicable Guideline range. See U.S.S.G. § 5H1.4. 6 At a sentencing hearing on August 25, 2004, the district court denied Duhon's motion for a downward departure. Considering Duhon's Blakely motion, the court decided to stay sentencing until the Supreme Court issued its ruling in United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005). Before adjourning, the court expressed hostility toward the Sentencing Guidelines, lamented Congress's criminalization of possessing child pornography, and promised that he would give Duhon the lowest sentence I can give consistent with my oath.