Opinion ID: 686809
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: copeland

Text: 3 Copeland pleaded guilty to unlawful activity in interstate commerce, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1952(a)(3). Pursuant to a sentencing stipulation, the parties agreed that Copeland was entitled to a 2-level reduction in his offense level for being a minor participant in the offense. The district court sentenced him to 43 months imprisonment and 2 years supervised release. 4 On appeal, Copeland argues for the first time that he was entitled to the 4-level reduction provided by U.S.S.G. Sec. 3B1.2 for minimal participants, particularly given the large scope of the conspiracy, rather than the 2-level reduction provided for minor participants. Absent plain error, we generally do not consider issues raised for the first time on appeal. See Fritz v. United States, 995 F.2d 136, 137 (8th Cir.1993), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 114 S.Ct. 887, 127 L.Ed.2d 81 (1994). In any event, we will not reverse a decision to grant a minor participant, rather than minimal participant, reduction unless it is clearly erroneous. United States v. Turk, 21 F.3d 309, 313 (8th Cir.1994). Given Copeland's sentencing stipulation and his failure to present any evidence on this issue, other than a reference to the large scope of the conspiracy, we find no error.