Opinion ID: 77406
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: First Sentencing in 2004

Text: 14 The PSI indicated that Martin's offense level was 31 and his criminal history category was I, resulting in a guidelines sentence range of 108 to 135 months' imprisonment. 2 Martin's base offense level of 6 was increased to level 34 by these enhancements: (1) 18 levels under U.S.S.G. § 2F1.1(b)(1)(S) because the fraud loss was over $80 million; (2) 4 levels under § 3B1.1(a) because Martin was an organizer or leader of a criminal activity that was extensive; (3) 2 levels under § 3B1.3 for Martin's abuse of a position of public and private trust; (4) 2 levels under § 2F1.1(b)(5)(C) because his offenses involved sophisticated means; and (5) 2 levels under § 2F1.1(b)(2)(A) because his offenses involved more than minimal planning. Martin's offense level of 34 was reduced by 3 levels under § 3E1.1 due to his acceptance of responsibility. 15 On June 19, 2004, the district court held a sentencing hearing. The government had already filed a motion for downward departure, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1, based on Martin's substantial assistance. At the sentencing hearing, the government argued that the court should depart down 6 levels to offense level 25 and impose a sentence of 62 months' imprisonment. 3 The government pointed out that while Martin's assistance was valuable, Martin nevertheless was the most culpable of those who have been sentenced to date; that [h]e was the most senior officer, he had the most authority, and he was involved the longest; that he obtained substantial income and status, social status, from this position at HealthSouth; and that a lesser sentence would not sufficiently deter such conduct. 16 The district court adopted the PSI's calculations that Martin's offense level was 31, his criminal history category was I, and his guidelines sentence range was 108 to 135 months' imprisonment. Although the district court granted the government's § 5K1.1 motion, the district court departed 21 levels down to offense level 10, which yielded a guidelines range of 6 to 12 months' imprisonment. Although objecting to the extent of the § 5K1.1 departure, the government asked for a sentence of at least 12 months' imprisonment. Even with that 21-level departure, the district court still imposed no imprisonment. Rather, the district court imposed a sentence of 60 months' probation with a special condition of 6 months' home detention on each of Counts One and Two, to run concurrently. At the sentencing, Martin agreed to a forfeiture of $2.375 million, and the district court imposed a fine of $50,000. The government objected that the extent of the departure was unreasonable. 17 In its written judgment entered June 28, 2004, the district court checked the box stating that the downward departure was based on 5K1.1 motion of the government based on the defendant's substantial assistance, and offered no further reasons. The government appealed, and this Court vacated and remanded because the district court failed to specify reasons for the extraordinary departure under § 5K1.1, and thus the record was incapable of meaningful appellate review. Martin, 135 Fed. Appx. at 415-16.