Opinion ID: 182634
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Denial of Spires's Motion to Continue Sentencing

Text: Finally, Spires asserts that the district court erred when it denied his motion to continue sentencing until Congress acted on pending legislation that would reduce the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses. We review the denial of a motion for continuance for an abuse of discretion, and we will reverse only if the moving party was prejudiced by the denial. United States v. Vesey, 330 F.3d 1070, 1072 (8th Cir.2003). Even assuming the district court erred when it denied Spires's motion for a continuance, Spires cannot show prejudice. Although Congress did in fact pass the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-220, 124 Stat. 2372 (Aug. 3, 2010) after Spires's sentencing, the Act is not retroactive and Spires is thus subject to the penalties in place at the time he committed the crimes at issue in this case. United States v. Brewer, 624 F.3d 900, 909 n. 7 (8th Cir.2010).