Opinion ID: 1467131
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Procedural Reasonableness of Pearce's Sentence

Text: We review a district court's sentencing determination, `under a deferential abuse-of-discretion standard,' for reasonableness. United States v. Lalonde, 509 F.3d 750, 769 (6th Cir.2007) (quoting Gall v. United States, ___ U.S. ___, 128 S.Ct. 586, 591, 169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007)). This reasonableness review contains procedural and substantive components. See Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 597; United States v. Bolds, 511 F.3d 568, 579 (6th Cir.2007). With respect to the procedural component of sentencing, our task is to ensure that the district court: (1) properly calculated the applicable advisory Guidelines range; (2) considered the other § 3553(a) factors as well as the parties' arguments for a sentence outside the Guidelines range; and (3) adequately articulated its reasoning for imposing the particular sentence chosen, including any rejection of the parties' arguments for an outside-Guidelines sentence and any decision to deviate from the advisory Guidelines range. Bolds, 511 F.3d at 581; see also Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 597 (directing appellate courts to ensure that the district court committed no significant procedural error, such as failing to calculate (or improperly calculating) the Guidelines range, treating the Guidelines as mandatory, failing to consider the § 3553(a) factors, selecting a sentence based on clearly erroneous facts, or failing to adequately explain the chosen sentence  including an explanation for any deviation from the Guidelines range). Only after we have completed this task and have determined that the district court committed no significant procedural error do we then consider any challenges raised regarding the substantive reasonableness of the defendant's sentence. In evaluating the substantive aspect of a sentence, we may apply a rebuttable presumption of reasonableness to sentences within the Guidelines. See Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 597; Bolds, 511 F.3d at 581. We also give `due deference' to the district court's conclusion that the sentence imposed is warranted by the § 3553(a) factors. Bolds, 511 F.3d at 581 (quoting Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 597).
Upon review of the sentencing transcript in this case, [5] we find that the district court did not commit any significant procedural error. Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 597. Contrary to what Pearce suggests, the district court explicitly recognized at the outset of the sentencing hearing that, while it would need to calculate the advisory Guidelines range for each defendant, it would not be bound by that range and would, in fact, be required to consider the other § 3553(a) factors when crafting a sentence. The district court then proceeded to calculate Pearce's advisory Guidelines range as 235 to 293 months, at which point it noted that Pearce was an armed career criminal, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 924(e), and thus statutorily required to serve at least fifteen years imprisonment. After calculating the advisory Guidelines range, the district court heard arguments from Pearce's attorney who asked the court to consider Pearce's family background, the other § 3553(a) factors, and the potential longevity of the sentence. The district judge then explained to Pearce that, pursuant to recent Supreme Court cases, he had discretion to impose a sentence outside of the Guidelines, but that there is a strong argument that a Guidelines sentence is fair and appropriate. J.A. at 444. Next, the court considered Pearce's unique circumstances, emphasizing in particular his extensive criminal background. Finally, the district court sentenced Pearce to 235 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, the lowest term recommended by the Guidelines. This record does not reveal any significant procedural errors. The district judge correctly calculated the applicable advisory Guidelines range, listened to the arguments presented by Pearce, and responded with an explanation of why he felt the Guidelines provided an appropriate sentence for Pearce. While the district court did not explicitly name the particular § 3553(a) factors he was considering when imposing Pearce's sentence, the record does not demonstrate that he failed to consider them. Rather, the record reflects that the district court, well-aware of its sentencing discretion, thoughtfully exercised that discretion to impose a sentence at the lower end of the advisory Guidelines range. Pearce has offered no credible argument to suggest that the district court simply ignored the other § 3553(a) factors and blindly applied a Guidelines sentence. Pearce has likewise failed to challenge the substantive reasonableness of his sentence. Accordingly, we hold that the district court did not abuse its sentencing discretion in Pearce's case.