Opinion ID: 213193
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Donavan Barrington McClune

Text: In accordance with a written plea agreement, Donavan Barrington McClune pleaded guilty to one count of possession of five grams or more of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. The probation officer determined that McClune was responsible for 578.6 grams of crack cocaine. His total offense level was 36 and his criminal history category I, yielding a Guidelines sentencing range of 188 to 235 months in prison. The Government filed a motion under U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1 specifically requesting that McClune receive a 40 percent reduction in [his] overall sentence. The district court, relying on that motion, sentenced McClune to serve 141 months in prison. McClune subsequently filed a § 3582(c)(2) motion seeking a sentence reduction based on the retroactive amendments to the crack cocaine Guidelines. The probation officer determined that McClune's amended Guidelines sentencing range was 151 to 188 months in prison. McClune filed a sentencing memorandum requesting that the district court reduce his sentence to 113 months in prison, a 40% reduction from the top of the recalculated Guidelines range, based on the § 3553(a) factors. His request was based on arguments that were not before the court at his original sentencing: the unwarranted sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine recognized by Amendment 702; the still-existing unwarranted sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine; his exemplary prison record; his rehabilitation efforts; and that he earned a departure at his original sentencing due to his substantial assistance. The district court reviewed the record and denied the motion, giving the following explanation: Having reviewed the Probation Officer's re-calculation of the applicable Guideline range of imprisonment, the response thereto, and the record in this matter, including the Pre-Sentence Report, the Court finds that the Defendant previously received adjustment under a Government motion filed pursuant to Section 5K1.1 of the [] Guidelines at which time the Court had determined a total sentence pursuant to the [] § 3553(a) factors. Accordingly, the Court will not reduce the Defendant's sentence further. McClune filed a timely notice of appeal.