Opinion ID: 2982132
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Procedural History and Sentencing

Text: On December 14, 2010, Manley was indicted on drug charges stemming from the search and seizure. His actions also resulted in a supervised release violation petition from authorities in Texas. Manley pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana with the intent to deliver (case number 10-20749). He also pleaded guilty to violating the terms of his supervised release by, among other acts, leaving Texas without his parole officer’s permission and illegally possessing a controlled substance (case number 12-20171). The district court conducted a consolidated sentencing hearing for both cases on October 22, 2012. The court explained to Manley that the applicable sentencing guideline ranges were 77 to 96 months in the marijuana trafficking case and 33 to 36 months for his supervised release violation. -2- No. 12-2551 United States v. Manley The government moved to reduce Manley’s sentence under U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1 based on his willingness to testify against a co-defendant. The government recommended a downward departure to 69 months on the marijuana trafficking charge, reflecting a twenty percent reduction from the mid-point of the advisory guideline range. Manley’s counsel requested a further departure to 40 months on the trafficking charge, arguing that Manley had provided additional cooperation to law enforcement efforts in Texas and that he was a “changed man.” The district court adjourned the hearing because there was some confusion as to whether Manley had in fact provided additional assistance to the prosecution of others while he was incarcerated in Texas. The district court reconvened the sentencing hearing on November 14, 2012. The parties agreed that Manley had spoken with DEA agents while incarcerated in Texas but disputed whether he provided any actionable leads. The court acknowledged the government’s motion for a reduced sentence based on Manley’s cooperation against his co-defendant in this case and expressly stated it was also taking into account Manley’s alleged cooperation while in Texas. In addition to Manley’s substantial cooperation with law enforcement, the court discussed the other relevant sentencing factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), including the nature and seriousness of the offenses charged; Manley’s history, characteristics, and perceived lack of sincerity; and the need to impose a sentence that would deter Manley from future criminal activity while protecting the public from additional crimes. The court recounted Manley’s lengthy criminal history, including a robbery and two prior federal drug convictions, both of which occurred while he was under court supervision. The court then concluded that Manley’s “substantial time in prison” had not deterred him from engaging in criminal activity and that he was not, in the court’s opinion, a changed man. -3- No. 12-2551 United States v. Manley Accordingly, the district court sentenced Manley to 60 months in prison in the marijuana trafficking case and 33 months in the supervised release case, to be served consecutively. The court imposed the sentences consecutively with an eye toward deterrence, admonishing Manley that “hopefully this next stint in prison is going to give you additional time to reflect on the choices that you’ve made and you won’t be back here or back in front of another Judge.” The court noted that it had discretion under the Sentencing Guidelines to impose the sentences concurrently, but declined to do so “for all the reasons I stated as to why I was imposing the sentence.” When asked if she had any objections, Manley’s counsel responded, “Just what I’ve previously requested, Your Honor.” The court then addressed Manley’s right to appeal in both cases. Manley waived his right to an appeal in the drug trafficking case under a Rule 11 plea agreement. Nevertheless, the court noted, and the government acknowledged, that Manley maintained all of his appellate rights in the case involving violation of the terms of his supervised release. The court then entered a separate judgment and sentencing order for each case.