Opinion ID: 3009888
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: On April 26, 1994, a federal grand jury returned a multi-count indictment charging Theresa J. Bush with five counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6) (the false statement counts), and five counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) (the possession counts). On July 13, 1994, Bush plead guilty to one false statement count and one possession count. However, Bush stipulated to having committing the other eight charged offenses, and agree[d] that, for the purpose of determining [her] Sentencing Guidelines range, . . . these additional offenses shall be treated as if the [she] had been convicted of additional counts charging these offenses. App. 14. The prosecutor and the defense attorney submitted sentencing memorandums addressing two issues to the district court: (1) which Sentencing Guidelines Manual applies to Bush's sentence; and (2) how the multiple counts should be grouped. At the October 14, 1994, sentencing hearing the prosecutor conceded that because of potential ex post facto problems, the 1990 Guidelines Manual should apply. See, e.g., United States v. Bertoli, 40 F.3d 1384, 1403 (3d Cir. 1994) (although [g]enerally, the sentencing court must apply the Guidelines Manual in effect at the time of sentencing . . . '[w]here such retroactivity results in harsher penalties, Ex Post Facto Clause problems arise, and courts must apply the earlier version.') (citation omitted).1 The district court then divided the offense conduct into three separate groups, and, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3D1.4, computed Bush's offense level to be 13.2 The district court thereupon sentenced Bush to concurrent 16-month custodial terms, to be followed by concurrent 3-year terms of supervised release. On October 21, 1994, Bush 1 . The 1990 Guidelines Manual was in effect at the time Bush committed the crimes to which she pleaded guilty. The 1993 Guidelines Manual is substantially different with respect to firearms offenses, but those differences are not relevant here. In this opinion our citations are to the 1990 manual. 2 . The relevant firearms guideline, section 2K2.1(a)(2), provided a base offense level of 12. When three groups are created that charge equally serious offenses, section 3D1.4 directs a court to increase the offense level by 3 which the district court did. The court then subtracted 2 levels pursuant to section 3E1.1 because it found that Bush had accepted responsibility for her criminal conduct. Thus, the district court computed the offense level to be 13. filed a timely notice of appeal of her sentence. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742(a). The district court had jurisdiction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3231. We will affirm.