Opinion ID: 535720
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Danner's Sentence

Text: 45 Danner objects to the offense level computation based on Sec. 2A4.1(b)(4)(A) of the sentencing guidelines. That section provides that if the kidnapping victim was not released before thirty days had elapsed, the base offense level should be increased by two levels. Alex Sparks was not detained but was shot within 24 hours after being abducted. He was merely found sometime after 30 days had elapsed. The guideline does not address whether murder of the victim means the kidnappers failed to release him within 30 days. The Commentary to the guidelines states under Background: 46 The guideline contains an adjustment for the length of time that the victim was detained. The adjustment recognizes the increased suffering involved in lengthy kidnappings and provides an incentive to release the victim. 47 The victim here was never released alive; the district court properly accepted the probation officer's recommendation calculating the offense level to include an increase under Sec. 2A4.1(b)(4)(A). This is especially true in this case, where the sentencing court could have increased the sentence above the authorized guideline range because the offense resulted in the death of the victim, but the court did not. Sec. 5K2.1 (Policy Statement); see also United States v. Melton, 883 F.2d 336 (5th Cir.1989). Increasing the offense level when the kidnapping victim is murdered also comports with the stated purpose of the provision, to provide an incentive to the kidnapper to release the victim.