Opinion ID: 2979142
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Career Criminal Designation

Text: Joshua raises an objection to his designation as a career criminal, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 4B1.1, which was based on two prior convictions. Joshua concedes that the first conviction, a felony drug charge, qualifies under§ 4B1.1, but he appeals the district court’s holding that the second conviction, for attempted kidnapping, is a “crime of violence” under § 4B1.1. 18 08-5913/5929, USA v. Smith We review de novo a district court’s determination that an offense is a crime of violence, as defined in U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2. United States v. Arnold, 58 F.3d 1117, 1120 (6th Cir. 1995). This Court first must determine whether the prior conviction “is for a crime that is among those specifically enumerated in the guidelines.” United States v. Wood, 209 F.3d 847, 850 (6th Cir. 2000). Section 4B1.2 defines a crime of violence as: any offense under federal or state law, punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, that (1) has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another, or (2) is burglary of a dwelling, arson, or extortion, involves use of explosives, or otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another. U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(a). If an offense is specifically enumerated, then “it is a crime of violence for sentencing purposes,” and the court need not analyze whether it qualifies under the other criteria. Id. The application notes to § 4B1.2 make clear that kidnaping is a crime of violence, a point that Joshua concedes. However, Joshua argues that attempted kidnaping is not listed and that the omission is an indication that attempted kidnapping should not be considered a crime of violence. This argument is without merit, for the application notes also expressly indicate that “‘Crime of violence’ . . . include[s] the offenses of aiding and abetting, conspiring, and attempting to commit such offenses.” Id., comment. (n. 1) (emphasis added). Because attempted kidnaping is an enumerated crime of violence, the district court did not err in designating Joshua as a career criminal.