Opinion ID: 10040
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Enhancement for Use of Firearm to Commit Felony

Text: 19 Finally, the district court also applied a four-level increase to Kuban's base offense level because the defendant used or possessed [a] firearm or ammunition in connection with another felony offense ... U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(b)(5). In this case, the [other] felony offense was aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, violative of Texas Penal Code §§ 22.01(a)(2), § 22.02(a)(2). The parties correctly agree that the second state offense with which Kuban was charged, felon in possession of a firearm, violative of Texas Penal Code § 46.04(a)(1), cannot constitute the [other] felony offense underlying the district court's [section 2K2.1(b)(5) ] four-level enhancement. However, it appears that the district court relied on the state aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge to increase Kuban's base offense level pursuant to section 2K2.1(b)(5) 8 , and, contrary to Kuban's protestations, the district court did not err in doing so. 20 At sentencing, defense counsel objected to the PSR's recommendation of section 2K2.1(b)(5) enhancement, arguing principally that Kuban was being doubly punished for his possession of firearms. Counsel further contended that the aggravated assault [ ] in the state court would not have been an aggravated assault but for the use of the firearm. However, when the district court asked defense counsel whether someone could be charged with aggravated assault for some other reason other than the use of a firearm?, counsel correctly responded, Yes, Your Honor. 9 It is clear that there is no merit to Kuban's assertion that he was doubly punished for possessing firearms. This argument misses the critical requirement of section 22.02(a)(2) that the defendant must use or exhibit a deadly weapon in order for an assault to rise to the level of an aggravated assault. A defendant's mere possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of an assault would not of itself implicate section 22.02. It is indisputable that Kuban committed his assault on Ozen by using and/or exhibiting--not merely contemporaneously possessing (as by carrying concealed in his pocket)--the deadly weapon: the section 22.02 violation was Kuban's pointing the weapon at Ozen's head at close range and cocking it, while demanding information from Ozen. Therefore, the district court properly increased Kuban's base offense level pursuant to section 2K2.1(b)(5) in the present case. 10