Opinion ID: 567448
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Calculating the Weight of Marijuana

Text: 88 James Bickett complains that the district court erred in calculating the weight of marijuana attributable to him by finding that a single conspiracy existed. Defendant contends that the proper period during which marijuana is attributable to him is from March 1987 until February 1989. The 165.59 kilograms of marijuana attributable to him during this time period results in a base offense level 26. Defendant states that after adding a four level enhancement for decisionmaking authority, his base offense level is 30 and the proper sentencing range is 121-151 months. 89 Defendant argues further that if this court finds that a single conspiracy existed, then the appropriate time period for calculating marijuana attributable to him begins at the time a connection is shown between him and Elder. According to defendant, this time period would be from January 1985 until February 1989; with 363.77 kilograms attributable to him, the resulting sentence range would be 121-151 months. 90 The United States argues, citing United States v. Rodriguez, 896 F.2d 1031, 1034 (6th Cir.1990), that the district court's factual finding as to the quantity of marijuana should not be disturbed unless it was clearly erroneous. The government insists that the district court's finding was proper, and likewise that its sentence was proper in light of the quantity of marijuana and defendant's criminal history category. 6 91 We agree that the clearly erroneous standard of review is applicable to this issue. Using that standard, we affirm the district court's calculation of the quantity of marijuana attributable to James Bickett. The district court's finding that there was a single conspiracy was not clearly erroneous. Accordingly, the amount of marijuana which may be attributed to James Bickett is properly the amount involved in the overall conspiracy.