Opinion ID: 1301446
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: McDonald's Role in the Offense

Text: McDonald claims the district court erred in assessing a two-level increase for his role in the offense, arguing Callahan was an equal partner and willing participant in the robbery. We review for clear error the district court's factual findings underlying the imposition of a sentencing enhancement based on the defendant's role in the offense. United States v. Rosas, 486 F.3d 374, 376 (8th Cir.2007) (citation omitted). Under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(c), [i]f the defendant was an organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor in any criminal activity [not involving five or more participants], increase by 2 levels. The terms organizer, leader, manager, and supervisor are to be construed broadly. Rosas, 486 F.3d at 376; United States v. Willis, 433 F.3d 634, 636 (8th Cir.2006). In determining whether a defendant had a managerial or supervisory role in an offense, application note 4 to U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1 directs the district court to consider such factors as: the exercise of decision making authority, the nature of participation in the commission of the offense, the recruitment of accomplices, the claimed right to a larger share of the fruits of the crime, the degree of participation in planning or organizing the offense, the nature and scope of the illegal activity, and the degree of control and authority exercised over others. U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1, cmt. n. 4 At the sentencing hearing, Callahan testified McDonald made the decision to rob a bank, chose the Farmers State Savings Bank on Collins Road, asked Callahan to enter the bank and see if any police were in the bank, and instructed her to hold the door open for him so the door would not lock. McDonald was the one who carried a knife and demanded money while Callahan held the door. Callahan also testified it was McDonald who decided they should buy a different car because the one they were driving had been used to commit multiple bank robberies. Callahan further testified McDonald paid the purchase price for the new car from the proceeds of the robberies, as McDonald held the cash and controlled the expenditures. This evidence was more than sufficient to support a two-level enhancement for McDonald's aggravating role in the offense.