Opinion ID: 6348766
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Lamar Harris

Text: Lamar pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B). The PSR assessed a total offense level of 37 and a criminal history category of VI, resulting in a Guidelines range of 292 to 365 months of imprisonment. Lamar initially made several objections to the PSR. One of his objections was to the assignment of three criminal history points for a 2011 conviction for possession with -5- intent to deliver cocaine. Lamar argued that this conviction was relevant conduct committed during the course of the instant offense, and therefore it should not have been included in the calculation of his criminal history category. See USSG § 4A1.2(a)(1). At sentencing, however, Lamar withdrew this and his other objections pursuant to an agreement with the government, whereby the government agreed not to pursue an enhancement for possession of a firearm. Based upon the parties’ agreement, the district court calculated a lower Guidelines range of 235 to 293 months of imprisonment. Lamar’s counsel argued for a downward variance and requested a sentence of 210 months. The court granted the request, sentencing Lamar to 210 months of imprisonment. Lamar now seeks to renew his argument that his 2011 cocaine conviction should have been classified as relevant conduct and therefore excluded from his criminal history calculation. However, where a defendant abandons and withdraws an objection to the PSR at the time of sentencing in exchange for a benefit, he has waived the objection and is not entitled to appellate review of that issue. United States v. Evenson, 864 F.3d 981, 983–84 (8th Cir. 2017). By asserting this objection and then affirmatively withdrawing it as part of his deal with the government, Lamar “demonstrated the intentional relinquishment or abandonment of his right to argue the point,” and we may not consider it on review. Id. at 983 (quotations omitted).