Opinion ID: 1194868
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Presentence Investigation Reports and the Sentencing Hearings

Text: The United States Probation Office prepared presentence investigation reports for Lin and Shi, and calculated Guideline sentencing ranges for both according to the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines. For each conviction of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1951, the base offense level was 18, pursuant to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual § 2B3.2(a) (2005). Two levels were added for the use of express or implied threats of death or bodily injury, pursuant to § 2B3.2(b)(1). With the exception of Count 7, the district court found that the extortions involved the use of minors, and added two levels pursuant to § 3B1.4. For Count 2, the extortion involving Zhang Qing Hai, the district court concluded that Shi and Lin caused a loss of more than $50,000, and added two levels pursuant to § 2B3.2(b)(2) and § 2B3.1(b)(7). The district court also concluded that Zhang sustained permanent bodily injury from his beating, and added six levels pursuant to § 2B3.2(b)(4)(C).
According to the Guidelines analysis, Lin's adjusted offense level was 33, based on the upward adjustments for use of threats, minors, the loss and permanent injury suffered by Zhang Qing Hai, and an additional three-level increase for his role as a manager or supervisor of criminal activity involving five or more participants. See U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(b). Application of the grouping rules added two levels for a total combined offense level of 35. At Criminal History category I, Lin's Guideline range was 168 to 210 months. At Lin's sentencing on August 17, 2005, the district court acknowledged the advisory nature of the United States Sentencing Guidelines, and that it was bound to consider the factors set forth at 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) in determining a reasonable and appropriate sentence. The district court decided that a Fatico hearing to resolve disputed sentencing issues was unnecessary, given the extensive trial testimony and the parties' submissions. See United States v. Fatico, 579 F.2d 707 (2d Cir. 1978). The district court concluded that a sentence at the low end of the Guideline range was reasonable, in light of the § 3553(a) factors. Lin received a sentence of 168 months, plus three years of supervised release. The court ordered restitution to four victims: $113,000 to Zhang Qing Hai, $50,000 to Xiao Yung Fei, $2,000 to Peter Yuan, and $10,000 to David Zhang. [2]
According to the Guidelines, Shi's adjusted offense level was 34, based on the upward adjustments for use of threats, minors, the loss and permanent injury suffered by Zhang Qing Hai, and an additional four level increase for his role as an organizer or leader of criminal activity that involved five or more participants. See U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(a). Application of the grouping rules to Shi's convictions added four levels for a total combined offense level of 38. At Criminal History category I, Shi's Guideline range was 235 to 293 months. At Shi's sentencing on November 9, 2005 the district court followed a similar analysis to that performed in Lin's case. The district court considered the Guideline determination, along with the sentencing factors listed at 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), and concluded that a sentence at the low end of the Guideline range was reasonable and appropriate. Accordingly, the district court sentenced Shi to 235 months' imprisonment, plus three years of supervised release. Restitution was ordered in the amount of $175,100, $113,000 to Zhang Qing Hai, $50,000 to Xiao Yung Fei, $2,100 to Peter Yuan, and $10,000 to David Zhang.