Opinion ID: 166595
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sentencing Issues as to Muessig

Text: 52 Muessig was sentenced to 33 months. Her presentence report recommended an upward adjustment to her sentence for obstruction of justice, which would have moved her total offense level from 18 to 20, with a sentencing range of 33 to 41 months. However, she objected to the adjustment and contended that the correct offense level was 18, with a sentencing range of 27 to 33 months. She also filed a motion requesting a downward departure based on, among other things, her lack of education and good employment record, the overly aggressive conduct of the undercover officer in investigating her, and cultural factors. At the sentencing hearing, the district court declined to apply the upward adjustment recommended by the PSR, and also declined to apply the requested downward departure, yielding a total offense level of 18 and a Guidelines range of 27 to 33 months. The court sentenced her to the high end of the applicable range. 53 After oral argument in this case, the Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Booker, ___ U.S. ___, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), which declared unconstitutional the mandatory application of the United States Sentencing Guidelines. Muessig argues she is entitled to resentencing pursuant to Booker. Since Muessig did not make any objection to the mandatory application of the Sentencing Guidelines below, we review for plain error. See United States v. Gonzalez-Huerta, 403 F.3d 727, 729 (10th Cir.2005) (en banc). 54 To establish plain error, Muessig must demonstrate that the district court (1) committed error, (2) that the error was plain, and (3) that the plain error affected her substantial rights. United States v. Cotton, 535 U.S. 625, 631, 122 S.Ct. 1781, 152 L.Ed.2d 860 (2002). If all these conditions are met, we may exercise our discretion to correct the error if it seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. Cotton, 535 U.S. at 631-32, 122 S.Ct. 1781. 55 With respect to the first two prongs, there is no question the district court committed actual error by operating under the erroneous assumption that the Guidelines were mandatory. See United States v. Dazey, 403 F.3d 1147, 1174-75 (10th Cir.2005). Regarding the third prong, Muessig must demonstrate a reasonable probability that, but for the error claimed, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Gonzalez-Huerta, 403 F.3d at 733. This showing can be made in a variety of ways, including establishing that without the constraints of the Guidelines, there is a reasonable probability the district court would have imposed a sentence outside the applicable Guidelines range. See United States v. Trujillo-Terrazas, 405 F.3d 814, 819 (10th Cir.2005). Our cases have examined several circumstances in assessing this element, including (1) whether there is a disconnect between the § 3553(a) factors and the sentence, see United States v. Clifton, 406 F.3d 1173, 1181 (10th Cir.2005), or (2) whether the district court expressed dissatisfaction with the mandatory Guidelines. See Gonzalez-Huerta, 403 F.3d at 735. 56 Applying these considerations here, we find no disconnect between the § 3553 factors and the sentence. Muessig makes no showing that her sentence of 33 months is out of line with that of similarly situated defendants. See United States v. Dalton, 409 F.3d 1247 (10th Cir.2005). The second consideration, the court's dissatisfaction with the mandatory Guidelines, also does not weigh in Muessig's favor. At the sentencing hearing, the district court specifically declined to employ the downward departure suggested by Muessig, stating the court has carefully considered each and every one of the bases that you have alleged on behalf of Ms. Muessic [sic] for departing downward. And the court finds that there are no facts in this case in any of those respective areas that would remove this case out of the heartland of cases to justify this court departing downward. Sent. Tr. 7-8. The court then proceeded to sentence Muessig at the top of the applicable range. Given the absence of any reason to believe the district court was inclined to grant Muessig a different sentence outside the Guidelines range, Muessig cannot meet the third prong of plain error review. 57 Even if the record were clearer on this point, for us to notice plain error a defendant must also meet the fourth prong of the analysis, namely, whether the Booker error seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. Gonzalez-Huerta, 403 F.3d at 734. Our analysis under this fourth prong when an error is non-constitutional is not flippant or perfunctory; the standard is formidable, as we will only exercise our discretion when an error is particularly egregious and the failure to remand for correction would produce a miscarriage of justice. Trujillo-Terrazas, 405 F.3d at 820 (internal citations omitted). This demanding standard is not met here. Muessig's sentence is well within the national norm for her conduct as established by the Sentencing Guidelines, and the district court appeared satisfied that the sentence was appropriately tailored to her personal characteristics and the conduct for which she was convicted.