Opinion ID: 2764567
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Victim’s Role in the Altercation

Text: Ms. Armijo also argues that her sentence is substantively unreasonable because Ms. Baca started the fight. We disagree. 7 A victim’s actions can support a downward departure from the guidelines. See United States v. LaVallee, 439 F.3d 670, 708-09 (10th Cir. 2006) (holding that where the victim “made sexually explicit remarks to a female officer, threatened [the defendant] immediately before the assault, and made an aggressive move toward him,” the district court did not abuse its discretion in granting a downward departure). The district court analyzed Ms. Baca’s conduct, but explained that it did not warrant Ms. Armijo’s violent reaction. Tr. at 18 (Dec. 17, 2013) (Dkt. No. 104). This explanation was reasonable, and the district court acted within its discretion in considering Ms. Baca’s role in the altercation.