Opinion ID: 40560
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Sentencing: Organizer, Leader, Manager, or Supervisor

Text: 110 A factual finding that a defendant was an organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor under Sentencing Guideline § 3B1.1(c) is reviewed for clear error. United States v. Turner, 319 F.3d 716, 725 (5th Cir.2003). 111 It was not clear error for the district court to impose a two-level sentence adjustment because Gonzales was an organizer, leader, manager or supervisor of at least one of the other participants in the criminal activity. U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(c). Gonzales was the team leader of the San Antonio unit, and according to everyone who testified at trial, the team leader of the operation that led to Carrera's arrest. Throughout the day, Gonzales issued orders to both Reyna and Gomez. For example, Gonzales rejected the driver's suggestion that Carrera get medical attention before being moved; he ordered Carrera moved from the house to the van; he ordered Carrera moved from the van to the bus; and he communicated with Grace Winfrey, his INS supervisor in San Antonio about Carrera's condition. 112 Gonzales relies on United States v. DeGovanni, 104 F.3d 43 (3d Cir.1997), in which the Third Circuit held that a supervising officer must participate in the criminal activity, not merely assume a de jure role in the police hierarchy. DeGovanni doesn't apply here because Gonzales both led and participated in the criminal activity. Accordingly, we affirm the sentencing court's finding that Gonzales was a leader.