Opinion ID: 786745
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Related Convictions for Purposes of Determining Criminal History

Text: 17 Prior to the events that gave rise to this case, Vallejo had been convicted of five armed robberies, all committed in November 1994. In determining his sentence, the judge added three criminal history points for each conviction, pursuant to U.S.S.G. §§ 4A1.1(a) and 2(a)(2). Vallejo argues that the crimes should have been consolidated for determining criminal history points. Consolidation of the crimes — Vallejo correctly points out — would have resulted in fewer added criminal history points. We review the district court's determination for clear error. United States v. Buford, 201 F.3d 937, 942 (7th Cir.2000). 18 Normally, cases are considered consolidated if there is a formal order consolidating them. That did not happen here. In the alternative, cases may be consolidated if a defendant can show functional consolidation. Functional consolidation occurs when there is a record that shows the sentencing court considered the cases sufficiently related for consolidation and effectively entered one sentence for multiple convictions. United States v. Russell, 2 F.3d 200, 203-04 (7th Cir.1993). The burden is on the defendant to make such a showing. United States v. Stalbaum, 63 F.3d 537, 539 (7th Cir.1995). 19 Vallejo argues that because sentencing on the cases occurred on the same day, and because he was ordered to serve concurrent sentences, they were functionally consolidated. While this may have presented a close case at the district court level, when reviewing for clear error we have no difficulty affirming the award of separate criminal history points. We have previously held that an award of concurrent sentences on the same day may not be sufficient to show functional consolidation. Russell, 2 F.3d at 204. Here, each case had a different docket number; the judge consistently referred to the cases as separate and distinct rather than lumping them together; sentencing orders were entered separately for each case. It appears that administrative convenience was the impetus for sentencing Vallejo's robberies on the same day and not a judicial desire to functionally consolidate the charges. This is enough to support the district court's finding that the cases were not functionally consolidated.