Opinion ID: 677313
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Managerial or supervisory role in the offense

Text: 94 Michael Nietupski challenges the adjustment to his offense level based on his role in the conspiracy. The district court increased Michael's offense level by three levels after adopting the finding contained in the presentence report that he was a manager or supervisor of the conspiracy pursuant to U.S.S.G. Sec. 3B1.1(b). See United States v. Vargas, 16 F.3d 155, 159 (7th Cir.1994) (district court may discharge its duty to make factual findings by adopting the findings contained in a presentence report). Michael did not object to this finding at the sentencing hearing, so he has waived the issue for purposes of this appeal. United States v. Rivero, 993 F.2d 620, 623 (7th Cir.1983). We will reverse only if the district court committed plain error. Fed.R.Crim.P. 52(b); United States v. Olano, --- U.S. ----, ---- - ----, 113 S.Ct. 1770, 1176-79, 123 L.Ed.2d 508 (1993); United States v. Cotts, 14 F.3d 300, 306 (1994). A plain error is one that seriously affect[s] the fairness, integrity or public reputation of the judicial proceedings. Olano, --- U.S. at ----, 113 S.Ct. at 1779 (quoting United States v. Atkinson, 297 U.S. 157, 160, 56 S.Ct. 391, 392, 80 L.Ed. 555 (1936)). 95 Section 3B1.1(b) of the Sentencing Guidelines provides for a three-level upward departure [i]f the defendant was a manager or supervisor ... and the criminal activity involved five or more participants or was otherwise extensive. U.S.S.G. Sec. 3B1.1(b). Application of this guideline is proper if the defendant was a manager, i.e., exercised some control over others involved in the criminal scheme, and the scheme involved five or more people. Goines, 988 F.2d at 778. In this case, the methamphetamine conspiracy unquestionably involved five or more persons where the indictment itself named ten defendants. United States v. Johnson, 997 F.2d 248, 258 (7th Cir.1993). Further, the record shows in several ways that Michael managed the conspiracy. For example, Michael recruited Hadowsky into the conspiracy, orchestrated the relocation of the laboratory from Illinois to Arizona, and acted as an enforcer for the conspiracy, exerting his authority over Matthews and Zahm, among others. Given these facts, the district court's enhancement of Michael's sentence was not plain error.