Opinion ID: 3010594
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Current Conviction, and Sentence

Text: In the instant case, Kole and a coconspirator were apprehended in New Jersey and charged with attempting to import heroin. Kole subsequently pled guilty to one count of conspiring to import 3.5 kilograms of heroin into the United States in violation of 21 U.S.C. S 942(a). Following the change of plea proceeding, the government filed an information under 21 U.S.C. S 851(a) in an effort to enhance Kole's sentence to a term of imprisonment of at least 20 years based upon her drug conviction in the Philippines. Kole argued that 21 U.S.C. S 851(c)(2) precluded the court from using the Philippine conviction to enhance her sentence because she had been denied a jury trial in the Philippines, and because her defense counsel there labored 3 under a conflict of interest that caused her to be denied effective assistance of counsel. Since S 851(c)(2) expressly bars consideration of any prior conviction that was obtained in violation of the Constitution of the United States, Kole asserted that the sentencing court could not apply the mandatory minimum for repeat felony drug offenders contained in 21 U.S.C. S 960(b)(1)(A). The district court held a sentencing hearing, and scrutinized Judge Felix's opinion. The district court concluded that both of Kole's assertions were within the scope of the collateral attack allowed under 21 U.S.C. S 851(c)(2), but that Kole had not satisfied her burden of proof as to either claim. Accordingly, the court ruled that the Philippine conviction was a prior drug felony for purposes of sentencing, and sentenced Kole to the mandatory minimum period of incarceration (20 years) under 21 U.S.C. S 960(b)(1).1 This appeal followed. We have appellate jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. S 1291. Our standard of review is plenary. See United States v. Murray, 144 F.3d 270 (3d Cir. 1998) (citing United States v. Woods, 986 F.2d 669, 673 (3d Cir. 1993). _________________________________________________________________ 1. Although we refer to the mandatory minimum sentence under 21 U.S.C. S 960 as an enhancement, we note that Kole's offense level was calculated as 37, and she was in criminal history category I. Therefore, the normal sentencing range under the Guidelines would have been 210 to 262 months incarceration even without a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years. Ironically, the sentence that Kole actually received pursuant to the enhancement of 21 U.S.C. S 851 (240 months) was in the middle of the range that would have governed her sentence without the prior conviction in the Philippines. However, that does not alter our analysis of the issues Kole raises in this appeal. Had the district court not imposed the mandatory minimum the Guidelines would have allowed for a sentence of 210 months instead of the 240 months she received. Moreover, the district court could have considered a reduction for acceptance of responsibility based on Kole's guilty plea. 4