Opinion ID: 730849
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Enhancement for Commission of a Sexual Assault While in

Text: Possession of a Firearm 17 The Sentencing Guidelines provide for a sentence enhancement if the defendant, used or possessed any firearm or ammunition in connection with the commission or attempted commission of another offense. U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(c). The trial court determined that Nale possessed a handgun while committing a sexual assault, and enhanced Nale's sentence under § 2K2.1(c). 18 Nale asserts that the gun was not used or possessed in connection with the sexual assault. He argues that the gun was not visible to the victim, nor was it used as a threat during the sexual assault. 19 The Fourth Circuit has not identified what is necessary to sustain a finding that a defendant used or possessed a firearm in connection with another offense. However, several other circuits have interpreted the meaning of in connection with as it applies to U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(c). United States v. Thompson, 32 F.3d 1, 7 (1st Cir.1994); United States v. Condren, 18 F.3d 1190, 1197 (5th Cir.1994), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 856, 115 S.Ct. 161, 130 L.Ed.2d 99 (1994); United States v. Routon, 25 F.3d 815 (9th Cir.1994); United States v. Gomez-Arrellano, 5 F.3d 464 (10th Cir.1993). 20 The First, Ninth and Tenth Circuits determined the definition of in connection with by analogizing to the definition of in relation to in 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Section 924(c) prohibits the use of a firearm during and in relation to the commission of drug trafficking or a violent crime. Thompson, 32 F.3d at 7; Routon, 25 F.3d at 819; Gomez, 5 F.3d at 466-67. In Smith v. United States, 508 U.S. 223, 237-238, 113 S.Ct. 2050, 2058-2059, 124 L.Ed.2d 138 (1993), the Supreme Court determined that the in relation to language of § 924(c) could be satisfied by proving that a weapon facilitated or potentially facilitated the offense. Id. 21 The First, Ninth and Tenth Circuits have applied the definition from Smith to § 2K2.1(c) and have held a weapon is used in connection with an offense under § 2K2.1(c) if the weapon facilitated or potentially facilitated the felonious conduct. Thompson, 32 F.3d at 7; Gomez, 5 F.3d at 466-67; Routon, 25 F.3d at 819. 22 Under the First, Ninth and Tenth Circuit's test, Nale possessed the gun in connection with the offense. Although he may not have brandished the gun throughout the sexual assault, the sexual assault would not have been possible but for the weapon. The victim was aware that Nale possessed the gun. She was forcibly detained by Nale and in a position to be sexually assaulted because of Nale's use of the gun. In addition, Nale would not have been able to order her to change her clothes but for the use of the gun. Thus, without the use of the gun, Wood would not have been vulnerable to the sexual assault. 23 The Fifth Circuit took a different approach and analogized to § 2D1.1(b)(1) of the Sentencing Guidelines. Section 2D1.1(b)(1) requires the enhancement of a defendant's sentence by two points if he or she is convicted of a narcotics crime and the government proves that he or she was in possession of a firearm. The court held that the interpretation of § 2D1.1(b)(1) should apply to § 2K2.1(c) since similar policy reasons militate in favor of the enhancements. Condren, 18 F.3d at 1197. Section 2D1.1(b)(1) requires enhancement if a firearm is possessed. Thus, in order to sustain an enhancement under § 2D1.1(b)(1), the government need only prove that the defendant possessed a firearm. The burden is then on the defendant to show it was clearly improbable that the firearm was connected with an offense. Condren, 18 F.3d at 1197. 24 The trial court's enhancement of Nale's sentence is also proper under the Fifth Circuit's test. First, Nale possessed the gun as required by the first prong of the test. Second, he failed to prove that it was clearly improbable that the firearm was connected with the offense. 25 Although the trial court's enhancement was proper under both the Fifth Circuit's test and the First, Ninth, and Tenth Circuit's test, the latter is more consistent with the clear language in the Sentencing Guidelines. The guidelines require that the defendant possess the firearm in connection with the commission or attempted commission of another offense. U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(c)(1). This is a two part analysis. First the government must prove that the defendant possessed the gun, and second it must prove the gun was connected to the offense. 3 The Fifth Circuit's approach ignores the second step for it places the burden of proving the gun was not connected to the offense on the defendant. 26