Opinion ID: 781787
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Initial Sentencing Hearing

Text: 12 The district court initiated the sentencing procedures on March 1, 2001, to determine contested sentencing issues relating to (1) acceptance of responsibility, U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1; (2) role reduction as a minor participant, U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2; and (3) various other grounds for downward departures. 5 13 The government called as a witness Special Agent John Phillip Graham from the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. Agent Graham reviewed the December 5, 2000 debriefings with Moreno and Rojas. Graham also noted the discrepancies in their versions of the early March 2000 trip, notably Rojas' denial of participation in the trip. Graham also explained that he attempted to meet with Rojas for a second debriefing, which Rojas refused. 14 Rojas then testified about his personal background. Rojas began to explain the discrepancies in his story. The government objected to Rojas' testimony, especially his attempt to debrief before the court. A colloquy occurred where Rojas' lawyer stated that based on his reading of the statute and guidelines, he believed that the rules permitted the court to allow Rojas to provide complete and truthful disclosure at the sentencing hearing and still qualify for the safety valve reduction. 6 After further discussion between the court and counsel about procedures in other cases in which the safety valve had been applied in similar circumstances at an adjourned sentencing hearing, the court stated: 15 The only reason why I'd even allow it would be this claim which may or may not be true on the downward departure issue which I don't intend to depart downward on but about the language barrier and, you know, not understanding the system. And I'm fairly sensitive to that, and particularly where you have a situation where Mr. Rojas is saying he doesn't want to debrief because he doesn't trust anybody until he gets to me may come out of his experience in Mexico where you probably can't even trust anybody including the judge. And so that's the only thing that even pauses me to even consider it. If we didn't have the language, cultural barriers and problems, then I think sometimes — well, I can't speak for anybody else in the courtroom but that we underestimate the magnitude of that — I wouldn't even consider this procedure. 16 (Tr. at 38-39.) 17 After further discussion and reflection, the court decided to continue the sentencing hearing. The court indicated that the government would have an opportunity to debrief Rojas, but that did not mean the court would grant the safety valve. Instead, the court explained its reasons for continuing the hearing: 18 I just want some time to take a look at it. And then I want, you know, to hear all the arguments kind of whether he's deserving of it, not deserving of it. And I'll just give you the opportunity to do the fifth prong, but there are no promises that I'll actually grant the safety valve. 19 .... 20 I'll listen to all the arguments and make a decision about whether I think it's appropriate to grant the safety valve in this case.... But I just want to make sure that — you know, it's important to do justice and also give the appearance of doing justice. And I think for people from other countries and different cultures who don't speak the language, we have to be very careful that we not only do the right thing but that we give the appearance that we're doing the right thing. And so I'm going to go ahead and continue the sentencing. 21 (Tr. at 43.) We observe also that the court declined any hearing on the safety valve determination or its application at the initial hearing.