Opinion ID: 204025
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Kimbrough Claim

Text: Finally, we briefly address Torres-Oliveras' claim that the district court committed plain error by failing to consider the sentencing guideline disparity between crack and powder cocaine. Because Torres-Oliveras failed to raise below the reasonableness of the crack to powder cocaine ratio, we review this Kimbrough claim [8] for plain error. United States v. Matos, 531 F.3d 121, 122 (1st Cir.2008). We find no error, plain or otherwise. Torres-Oliveras stipulated to and was sentenced for possession with intent to distribute powder cocaine, not crack cocaine. Therefore, because Torres-Oliveras' sentence was not based on a crime involving crack cocaine, there is simply no Kimbrough issue here. It may be that Torres-Oliveras' Kimbrough argument would have some relevance in a collateral claim for ineffective assistance of counsel, but given the plain language of his plea agreement there is no such relevance on direct review. For the foregoing reasons we dismiss Torres-Oliveras' appeal.