Opinion ID: 222920
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Relevant Sentencing Conduct

Text: Finally, Lamb argues that the district court incorrectly applied the accessory-after-the-fact cross-reference under Federal Sentencing Guideline § 2X3.1. We review the calculation of the sentencing guidelines range de novo, but the district court's underlying findings of fact only for clear error. United States v. Quintero, 618 F.3d 746, 755 (7th Cir.2010). There is no question that § 2X3.1 applies here. Section 2J1.2, the guideline applicable to § 1512(c)(1), clearly instructs district courts that [i]f the offense involved obstructing the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense, apply § 2X3.1 in respect to that criminal offense.  Rather, Lamb's contention is that the underlying offense for purposes of the § 2X3.1 cross-reference should have been possession of cocaine base rather than Johnson's cocaine distribution conspiracy. But given the evidence that Lamb was aware of and involved with Johnson's cocaine distribution, the district court did not clearly err in finding by a preponderance of the evidence that Lamb destroyed evidence at the Westmoreland residence to obstruct the investigation and prosecution of the broader conspiracy, not merely her own possession. Based on that finding, the district court correctly applied the guidelines using the conspiracy as the underlying criminal offense that Lamb sought to impede.