Opinion ID: 676438
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Two-Level Enhancement for Aggravating Role

Text: 36 Finally, Ruis argues that the district court erred in imposing a two-level enhancement for his aggravating role in the charged offenses. Such an enhancement is authorized under U.S.S.G. Sec. 3B1.1(c) if the defendant was an organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor in the offense. 37 We review application of the Sentencing Guidelines de novo. United States v. Fagan, 996 F.2d 1009, 1017 (9th Cir.1993). We review the district court's factual findings in the sentencing phase for clear error. United States v. Chapnick, 963 F.2d 224, 226 (9th Cir.1992). 38 The evidence indicating that Ruis played an aggravating role included, first, statements by his codefendants. Maese stated that Ruis had recruited him for both the fuel tank modification scheme and the moving of the load car in this case. 7 Sanudo (against whom charges were dismissed) stated that on another occasion, Ruis had asked him to be a driver and that Sanudo had suspected that something illegal was afoot. 8 In addition, documentary evidence indicated that Ruis had rented, and had access to, the storage space at the Shurgard. 39 In contrast, Ruis argues that he did not know the persons involved with bribing the customs inspector, and that he exposed himself to risk by picking up Maese and renting the storage facility--which an organizer or leader would not do. 40 Taking the evidence as a whole, we must affirm the district court's finding that Ruis was a leader. United States v. Elwood, 999 F.2d 814 (5th Cir.1993), which Ruis relies upon, is distinguishable. In that case, the only evidence supporting an upward role adjustment was a conclusory statement in the PSR that the government and the case agents felt that such an adjustment was appropriate. Id. at 817. See also United States v. Patterson, 962 F.2d 409, 414-15 (5th Cir.1992) (unsworn assertion by AUSA that defendant managed and supervised other persons is insufficient). Here, the evidence was more specific: the statements of the codefendants; the documents indicating that Ruis had control of the storage space. Although we believe the question is a close one, we conclude that the district court did not commit clear error in finding that Ruis qualified for a two-point aggravating role adjustment. 9 41 On the basis of the obstruction of justice upward adjustment, we vacate the sentence and remand for resentencing consistent with this disposition. 42 AFFIRMED IN PART; VACATED IN PART; AND REMANDED.