Opinion ID: 2994102
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Tony Kroledge

Text: The district court enhanced Tony Kroledge’s sentence because he provided an alibi for his brother and sister-in-law. Tony Kroledge argues that this finding was in error because any misstatements that he made to investigators occurred early in the investigation and were therefore immaterial. Application Note 6 to Sentencing Guidelines sec. 3C1.1 defines materiality as evidence . . . that, if believed, would tend to influence or affect the issue under determination. U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual sec. 3C1.1 application note 6. Although misstatements made to investigators that do not force investigators to expend additional resources are not material, see United States v. Barnett, 939 F.2d 405, 407 (7th Cir. 1991), pretrial statements that significantly obstruct or impede an investigation are material and may serve as the basis for an enhancement. See id. Tony Kroledge provided an alibi for his brother and sister-in-law by testifying that the two accompanied him to the stock car races on the night of the fire. Further, he corroborated Charles’s claim that Charles and Kathleen followed him home that night and did not find out about the fire until after 1:00 a.m. However, his own testimony and the testimony of some government witnesses suggest discrepancies in his story. Gilbert and Martha Kroledge both testified that they saw Charles and Kathleen Kroledge driving in the direction of the races on the night of the fire at an hour when Tony testified they were already with him. Tony Kroledge testified that it generally took thirty-five to forty minutes to return to his home from the races, yet he testified that on the night of the fire it took the Kroledges well over an hour to return home. In addition, Tony Kroledge testified on direct examination that he told the FBI investigator that Charles and Kathleen lived with him during the rebuilding of their home, but he also testified that he did not know at the time that they were living with him. Under cross- examination, Tony Kroledge admitted that he never told anyone that Charles and Kathleen lived with him until he testified so under oath before the grand jury. On appeal, Tony Kroledge explains, through counsel, that these statements were mistakes made by a simple man confused by the proceedings who was attempting only to protect his family. However, the district court found instead that these statements were made willfully in an attempt to obstruct justice. We review such findings of credibility with great deference and will not reverse unless we find clear error. See United States v. Hall, 101 F.3d 1174, 1179 (7th Cir. 1996). As such, the obstruction enhancement to Tony Kroledge’s sentence will remain undisturbed.