Opinion ID: 734535
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Robert Warren, Sr. (Jerry)

Text: 17 The district court determined that 53 ounces of crack (1.5 kilograms) was attributable to Jerry Warren, giving him a base offense level of 38. USSG § 2D1.1. The court found that Jerry Warren had caused Pennington to kill Miki Koontz and applied the subsection (d) cross-reference to USSG § 2A1.1 (First Degree Murder) if a victim was killed under circumstances which would constitute murder under 18 U.S.C.A. § 1111 (West Supp.1996) (murder within federal jurisdiction). This increased the offense level to 43, the highest listed in the Sentencing Table. Further enhancements were made for possession of firearms, USSG § 2D1.1(b)(1), leadership role, USSG § 3B1.1, and obstruction of justice, USSG § 3C1.1. None of these altered the guideline range, which was life. Warren received a life sentence. 18 Jerry Warren contends that enhancing his sentence for first-degree murder by applying the cross-reference in USSG § 2D1.1(d) instead of through an upward departure violates due process because it removes the district court's discretion and in effect results in a murder conviction by a preponderance of the evidence. He concedes that restrictions on a sentencing court's discretion do not violate due process, but argues that this principle should not apply when a defendant's sentencing amounts to a constructive conviction of an offense not charged. He argues that conduct proved by less than a reasonable doubt cannot, by definition, be murder under 18 U.S.C.A. § 1111. 19 This argument ignores Supreme Court and Fourth Circuit precedent which holds that use of the preponderance of the evidence standard in determining facts which affect the imposition of a sentence within the statutory limits does not offend due process. See McMillan v. Pennsylvania, 477 U.S. 79, 84-88, 93 (1986); United States v. Engleman, 916 F.2d 182, 184 (4th Cir.1990). Jerry Warren was not convicted or sentenced for murder; however, his sentence for the drug conspiracy to which he pled guilty could be increased without a violation of due process on the court's finding that it was more likely than not that he was responsible for Miki Koontz's murder. See United States v. Rivera-Gomez, 67 F.3d 993, 1001 (1st Cir.1995) (Supreme Court has made it clear that such sentencing enhancements do not constitute punishment for separate offenses, citing Witte v. United States, --- U.S. ----, 63 U.S.L.W. 4576 (U.S. Jan. 6, 1995) (No. 94-6187)). Moreover, the enhancement for the murder had no practical effect on Jerry Warren's sentence. 20 Jerry Warren also questions the adequacy of the government's evidence that he directed Pennington to commit the murder, arguing that Pennington was not credible because there was no corroboration for his testimony that he bought drugs from Jerry Warren and owed Warren money. The district court found that the murder enhancement depended on the credibility of Pennington's testimony and that Pennington was credible in all material respects. We do not review the court's decision concerning Pennington's credibility. We do find that, because of Pennington's testimony, the court's finding that Jerry Warren directed the murder was factually supported by a preponderance of the evidence. 21 Jerry Warren also argues that he was sentenced to two life sentences, one for a crime which he did not commit, and for this reason his sentence is disproportionate punishment which violates the Eighth Amendment. Warren received one sentence of life imprisonment. Given the amount of drugs involved and Warren's participation in a murder, the sentence does not violate the Eighth Amendment. See United States v. D'Anjou, 16 F.3d 604, 612-14 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 62 U.S.L.W. 3861 (U.S. June 27, 1994) (No. 93-9131). 22 Warren contends that the district court clearly erred in making the enhancement for possession of firearms because there was no testimony that he actively employed a firearm. He relies on Bailey v. United States, --- U.S. ----, 64 U.S.L.W. 4039 (U.S. Dec. 6, 1995) (No. 94-7448). This claim is without merit because Bailey does not preclude a sentencing enhancement for possession of a firearm during a drug offense. United States v. Hawthorne, 94 F.3d 118, 122 (4th Cir.1996). 23 The obstruction of justice adjustment Jerry Warren received was based on his successful attempt to have Kelli Koontz and Becky Dean leave Williamson to prevent them from giving information to authorities about his drug business. He argues here that the evidence did not support a finding that he persuaded them to leave because they had their own reasons to leave, i.e., they feared trouble with the police about some porch furniture they had stolen. Kelli Koontz testified that when Jerry and Terry Warren and other members of their family discussed the impending federal indictments, Jerry and Terry wanted Kelli Koontz and Becky Dean to go to Ohio and were willing to supply money for travelling because they expected the authorities to question the women. She said Jerry Warren gave them $140 for expenses. Although they went to Atlanta instead of Ohio, the women left Williamson. The adjustment is properly given if there is evidence that the defendant unlawfully influenced a witness in order to obstruct or impede the investigation of the offense. USSG § 3C1.1, comment. (n.3). The district court's finding was not clearly erroneous. 24 Jerry Warren argues that the evidence was insufficient for a finding that he was responsible for 53 ounces of crack because the government did not establish how its sources of information knew the weight of the crack. Warren's attorney did not make this specific argument at sentencing, although he argued that some of the witnesses were not credible. The information on the crack amounts came from statements by Durand Warren, J.J. Warren, and Edmonds. All of these witnesses had first-hand knowledge of the amounts they gave information about and all were experienced drug dealers. The district court did not clearly err in determining the amount of crack based on their statements.