Opinion ID: 672146
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Downward Departure for Avoidance of Perceived Greater Harm

Text: 22 The district court also departed downward pursuant to U.S.S.G. Sec. 5K2.11, p.s., which states in pertinent part: Sometimes, a defendant may commit a crime in order to avoid a perceived greater harm. In such instances, a reduced sentence may be appropriate, provided that the circumstances significantly diminish society's interest in punishing the conduct.... 23 No evidence presented to the district court supports a downward departure under section 5K2.11. Although the district court suggested that the baby may have been in an abusive environment, the district court admitted that no evidence existed that the defendant helped kidnap the baby to protect her from an unsafe environment. The court stated the following: [Salemi] has never told me that and I don't have a record that he did. But his conduct was consistent with that sort of a thought. 24 Thus, the undisputed evidence only showed that Salemi knew his wife was bringing a baby to their home. Shortly after her arrival in Miami, Salemi lied to the FBI to help hide the baby. Salemi knew the baby had been kidnapped and that law enforcement officers were seeking his wife. Nevertheless, he quit his job, fled from his home city, and helped keep the baby hidden from authorities. Consequently, we hold that no factual basis exists for a downward departure under section 5K2.11.