Opinion ID: 673533
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: charles gilmer

Text: 13 Evidence at trial established that Charles Gilmer was a major customer of Roberto Cabanzon's. Gilmer was sentenced to 210 months, and also was denied federal benefits for five years pursuant to 21 U.S.C. Sec. 862(a)(1). Gilmer claims that the application of Section 862 to deny him federal benefits violates the Constitution's Ex Post Facto clause. U.S. Const. art. I, Sec. 10, cl. 1. The denial of benefits under Section 862 4 applies to convictions occurring after September 1, 1989. 21 U.S.C. Sec. 862(h). Although Gilmer was convicted after the statute's effective date, the conspiracy of which he was convicted ended on July 12, 1989. Gilmer claims that Section 862 as applied to him imposes punishment on an act additional to the punishment prescribed at the time the act was committed, and therefore constitutes an ex post facto violation. See United States v. Lightsey, 886 F.2d 304, 306 (11th Cir.1989). In response, the government points out that the statute was enacted on November 18, 1988, during the course of the conspiracy for which Gilmer was convicted. Therefore, Gilmer is deemed to have had notice that he would be subject to a denial of benefits should he be convicted after September 1, 1989. We agree with the government's argument, and therefore reject Gilmer's ex post facto challenge.