Opinion ID: 506643
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Disparate Sentencing

Text: 36 Finally, Meyers argues that even if he was properly sentenced under the 1986 Act, his sentence of 25 years was improper because excessively disparate from the sentences imposed on other defendants. We review a district court's sentencing decision for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986). A sentence which falls within statutory limits is ordinarily not reviewable unless there exist constitutional concerns. United States v. Tucker, 404 U.S. 443, 446-47, 92 S.Ct. 589, 591, 30 L.Ed.2d 592 (1972); Messer, 785 F.2d at 834. Disparate sentences alone normally do not constitute an abuse of discretion. United States v. Endicott, 803 F.2d 506, 510 (9th Cir.1986). 37 However, Meyers also contends that the court imposed a more severe sentence because he exercised his constitutional right to stand trial. This argument has no support in the record. To the contrary, the district court specifically assured defense counsel that the sentence would not be enhanced because Meyers went to trial. The court also explained that in imposing the sentence, it had taken Meyers' prior record into account, as well as his actions in this case. On the facts presented, and given our finding that Meyers was properly sentenced under the 1986 Act, there was no abuse of discretion such as that demonstrated in United States v. Medina-Cervantes, 690 F.2d 715, 716 (9th Cir.1982). See also, United States v. Carter, 804 F.2d 508, 513 (9th Cir.1986). Accordingly, we find no abuse of discretion in the imposition of a 25-year sentence.