Opinion ID: 3190308
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Pre-trial, Trial, and Sentencing

Text: Binford filed pre-trial motions to suppress evidence obtained from the search. He argued, among other things, that he was arrested in his home illegally without a valid arrest warrant. He asked the court to suppress his incriminating statements under the exclusionary rule. The district court denied his motion. In doing so, the court found that the interrogation in the bathroom lasted a short time and that there was no evidence that it was prolonged or repeated. The court noted that while Binford said he was scared, he did not say he was scared into making the statements. Regarding Kinal’s statement that he could help Binford if he cooperated, the court found that it did not amount to the level of police coercion required to suppress the statements. Based on the totality of the circumstances, the court held that the police activity was not sufficient to and did not overcome Binford’s will. Finally, the court found that Binford knowingly and intelligently waived his Miranda rights. The case then proceeded to a jury trial. Binford was convicted of two counts, being a felon in possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and possessing with intent to distribute marijuana under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D).1 At sentencing, Binford received two enhancements, first under the ACCA, 18 U.S.C. § 924 (e), and second, using the career-offender enhancement under United States Sentencing Guideline § 4B1.1. Under the ACCA, the mandatory minimum sentence is fifteen years imprisonment. 18 U.S.C. § 924(e). Although Binford’s qualification as a career criminal called for an enhanced advisory guideline range of 262-327 months, the district court followed the government’s recommendation and departed downward to the mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years (180 months) under the ACCA on the gun charge and imposed a concurrent sentence of one day on the drug charge.2 1 Binford was found not guilty of the third count of the indictment, possession a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 2 If no enhancements were applicable, the maximum penalty for being a felon in possession of a firearm would be ten years’ imprisonment. 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(2). No. 14-1635 United States v. Binford Page 7 Binford filed a timely notice of appeal on May 13, 2014. We have jurisdiction over the instant appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742(a).