Opinion ID: 3059477
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Government’s Letter to Probation Office

Text: 2 The commentary to § 3A1.1 states that “[i]f an enhancement from subsection (b) applies and the defendant’s criminal history includes a prior sentence for an offense that involved the selection of a vulnerable victim, an upward departure may be warranted.” U.S.S.G. § 3A1.1, cmt. n.4. 5 After the PSI was released, but before sentencing, the government sent a letter to the probation office stating that: (1) an upward departure pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3A1.1(b)(1), cmt. n.4 was appropriate because Girard exhibited “a penchant for young ‘troubled’ boys who come from unstable family environments”; and (2) in light of the § 3553(a) factors, an upward variance from the 120-to-135-month guidelines range was appropriate because Girard traveled between states to engage in sexual acts with a troubled youth and previously exploited children.