Opinion ID: 3046946
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Chapters Two (Offense Conduct) and Three

Text: 7 offense level, it used the drug quantity from the conspiracy (and the single kilogram of cocaine from the sting transaction), which it reported involved 50 to 150 kilograms of cocaine, resulting in a base offense level of 36. See id. § 2D1.1(c)(2) (“Drug Quantity Table”). Finally, the PSR considered any adjustments to the offense level. Guidelines § 2S1.1(b) includes a two-level enhancement for certain listed offenses. Blackmon pled guilty to 18 U.S.C. § 1956, which is a listed offense under this specific (Adjustments). U nless otherwise specified, . . . cross references in Chapter Two, and [ ] adjustments in Chapter Three, shall be determined on the basis of the following:
aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced, procured, or willfully caused by the defendant; and ....
of a character for which § 3D1.2(d) would require grouping of multiple counts, all acts and omissions described in subdivisions (1)(A) and (1)(B) above that were part of the same course of conduct or common scheme or plan as the offense of conviction[.] 8 enhancement subsection. Id. § 2S1.1(b)(2)(B). Thus his total offense level rose to 38. The PSR deducted three levels for acceptance of responsibility, bringing the final offense level to 35. Blackmon objected to the PSR’s calculations. Specifically, he contested the drug amount, arguing that, among other things, the conspiracy involved between 15 and 50 kilograms of cocaine, resulting in a base offense level of 34. He also objected to the money laundering base offense calculation, asserting that only the $15,000 associated with the sting transaction should be considered, and not the drug amount from the cocaine conspiracy, as relevant conduct. At the sentencing hearing, the Government supported the PSR finding regarding drug quantity by presenting testimony from a Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent and extensive evidence indicating that the cocaine involved in the conspiracy weighed in excess of 150 kilograms. Its evidence included the Federal Express airbills that carried the suspected cocaine packages (weighing approximately 148 kilograms), the seizure of $75,000 and five kilograms of cocaine in December 2005, the seizure of two Federal Express packages from Williams containing six kilograms of cocaine in March 2006, and Blackmon’s shipment of one kilogram of cocaine connected to the August 2006 sting transaction. Special Agent Scott Duffey testified to identify the Government’s exhibits and explain the related patterns of airbills and different stages of the conspiracy. Williams and Torrence also testified to the scope of 9 the conspiracy and Blackmon’s participation. The District Court overruled Blackmon’s objections and determined that the Guidelines range for the two grouped counts was 188 to 235 months’ imprisonment. Before deciding on a final sentence, the Court considered the relevant 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) sentencing factors. Specifically, it found that “magnitude of the offense” was “overwhelming.” It also noted Blackmon’s past offenses for armed robbery and drugs, for which he had served a stint in prison, but that “[n]one of that seemed to have made an impact on you.” After evaluating all the factors, the Court imposed a prison sentence at the top of the Guidelines range—235 months.