Opinion ID: 174353
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Savage

Text: Savage, 31 years old at the time of sentencing, argues that his 360-month belowGuidelines sentence was substantively unreasonable, citing his minimal prior criminal record, his relationship with his family members, and the lack of harm to the witnesses he threatened. He does not challenge the procedural reasonableness of his sentence. The District Court concluded Savage was responsible for between 50 and 150 kilograms of cocaine, a smaller amount than recommended by Probation in the Presentence Report (“PSR”). This resulted in a base offense level of 36. Two levels were added for possessing a firearm during the offense under U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(1), an aggravating role enhancement added three levels under § 3B1.1(b), two levels were added for obstruction of justice under § 3C1.1, and two levels were added under § 5K2.0 because of the nature of Savage’s threats against Government witnesses.16 The resulting total offense level was 45. With a Criminal History Category of I, Savage’s Guidelines range was life imprisonment. He was subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years. In sentencing Savage, the Court considered the substantial number of kilograms of 16 For example, Savage was recorded telling someone about threats he had recently made to other prisoners: “I said, ‘You know what it’s gonna cost you . . . your life bitch, and your mom[’s] life. I’m gonna kill your mother fucking ass. Tell the prosecutor I threatened you too, bitch. . . . I’m gonna kill everything you love.’” (Gov’t Supp’l App. 673–74; see also id. at 680–81 (“You know P got a baby by Chad’s sister . . . [; t]hat’s the one I said I’m gonna kill.”).) In another exchange, a fellow prisoner told Savage that “[b]y [the] time of trial everybody be dead,” to which Savage laughed and responded, “we just getting started.” Id. at 678. 25 cocaine, the guns, money laundering, and Savage’s threats to witnesses and their families. The Court also considered Savage’s minimal prior criminal history and the support from his family and the community. The Court varied downward and imposed a sentence of 360 months’ imprisonment. Savage’s sentence “falls within the broad range of possible sentences that can be considered reasonable in light of the § 3553(a) factors,” United States v. Wise, 515 F.3d 207, 218 (3d Cir. 2008), and thus we affirm.