Opinion ID: 1288101
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Role in the Offense Enhancement

Text: Mr. Hollins also claims that the district court erred in applying an enhancement for acting as a manager or supervisor under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(b). At his initial hearing, Mr. Hollins was given a four-point enhancement as a leader or organizer under § 3B1.1(a). The district court reduced the number at resentencing to create parity with Wilson. Mr. Hollins now objects that the factual finding that he was a manager is clearly erroneous. In determining whether a role in the offense enhancement is appropriate, sentencing courts should examine the relationship of the defendant to the criminal enterprise. Relevant factors in this inquiry include: (1) exercise of decision-making authority; (2) participation in committing the offense; (3) recruitment of accomplices; (4) degree of participation in planning or organizing the criminal activity; (5) degree of control or authority exercised over others involved in the criminal activity; and (6) the nature and scope of the illegal activity. United States v. Falcon, 347 F.3d 1000, 1004 (7th Cir.2003); see also § 3B1.1, cmt. 4. The district court made findings on the record that Mr. Hollins, along with Wilson, clearly ran the conspiracy, and the record identified far more than five people involved in the importation of cocaine for Mr. Hollins and Wilson. The court also found that Mr. Hollins was responsible for recruiting multiple couriers and arranging details of their runs. While the couriers came and went, Mr. Hollins remained in a role facilitating numerous trips to import substantial amounts of cocaine. Mr. Hollins' main objection was that he was less responsible, and, therefore, less accountable, than Wilson. Even if that contention is supported by the record, it does not undermine the facts found by the trial court that Mr. Hollins exercised a management role. [4] We have stated that the district court must make factual findings on the record that at least five members were in the conspiracy and determine whether he had control over four of them. See United States v. Zaragoza, 123 F.3d 472, 482 (7th Cir.1997). [5] We have further stated, however, that failure to make such findings does not require remand so long as the enhancement is adequately supported by the record. Id. at 483. The record in this case adequately supports the enhancement given.