Opinion ID: 219346
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Presentence Report and Hearing

Text: Following Mr. Sanchez’s conviction at trial, a probation officer prepared a presentence report calculating Mr. Sanchez’s sentence under the applicable 2008 United States Sentencing Guidelines (“Guidelines” or “U.S.S.G.”). The probation officer set the base offense level at 36, under U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1, based on the drug quantity attributable to Mr. Sanchez, which consisted of the 759.424 grams of methamphetamine seized from his home and another 2,721.6 grams of methamphetamine for the three other two-pound, or 907.2-gram, deliveries Mr. Bollen testified he previously made to Mr. Sanchez. The probation officer also added a two-level increase under U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(1) based on the fact a shotgun was found approximately five feet from the seized methamphetamine, for a total offense level of 38. A total offense level of 38, together with a criminal history category of I, resulted in a Guidelines range of 235 to 293 months imprisonment. The probation officer also determined no factors existed -22- warranting a departure under the Guidelines or a variance under the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) sentencing factors. Prior to and at sentencing, Mr. Sanchez objected to the drug quantity used to calculate the Guidelines range and the two-level enhancement for possession of a dangerous weapon. He also moved for a downward variance from the Guidelines range on grounds he was a first-time offender and no evidence established he had not been gainfully employed, was a burden on society, was previously incarcerated, or exhibited violent behavior or extreme conduct. The district court denied Mr. Sanchez’s drug quantity objection, explaining it could approximate the quantity of methamphetamine based on relevant conduct because the amount seized did not reflect the prior two-pound deliveries he received from Mr. Bollen. It then found by a preponderance of the evidence Mr. Sanchez was accountable for possessing the 759.424 grams of methamphetamine seized by authorities, as well as 2,721.6 grams, consisting of 907.2 grams of methamphetamine for each of the three other deliveries Mr. Bollen made to him, for an offense level of 36, as recommended by the probation officer in calculating his Guidelines range. It also overruled Mr. Sanchez’s objection to the probation officer’s recommendation for a two-level increase under U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(1) for his possession of a firearm, for a total offense level of 38. In so doing, it -23- rejected Mr. Sanchez’s argument the gun was unconnected to the offense charged. At the conclusion of Mr. Sanchez’s sentencing hearing, the district court imposed a sentence at the low end of the Guidelines range, of 235 months imprisonment and sixty months supervised release. In denying the requested variance, it explicitly stated it considered the parties’ arguments, including Mr. Sanchez’s objections and variance request, the presentence report, its authority to vary from the advisory Guidelines, and the sentencing factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). In discussing the § 3553(a) factors, the district court stated it considered the nature and circumstance of the offense and Mr. Sanchez’s characteristics and criminal history, including his educational level, family responsibilities, employment history, and legal immigration status. It concluded a sentence of 235 months imprisonment would reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law, provide just punishment for the offense, afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct, protect the public from Mr. Sanchez’s future crimes, provide effective correctional treatment, and was “reasonable and sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to meet the objectives set forth in 18 [U.S.C. §] 3553(a).” -24-