Opinion ID: 2977853
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Elliot Junior’s Sentence

Text: At sentencing, the district court enhanced Elliot Junior’s offense level by two for possessing a dangerous weapon, U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(1), enhanced it by four for serving as a leader of the conspiracy, id. § 3B 1.1(a), and reduced it by three for accepting responsibility, id. § 3E 1.1. The resulting adjusted offense level of 35 and criminal history category of I recommended a sentence between 168 and 210 months’ imprisonment. Considering the appropriateness of that range, the district court stated: “Based upon the defendant’s role in this activity and his continuing in the activity after the initial arrest, the starting point for the court would be 205 months. Now, that’s toward the upper end of the Guidelines range, and I think under the circumstances that is certainly warranted.” Having settled on a 205-month “starting point,” the court went on to grant a forty-five month downward departure for substantial assistance to the authorities, id. § 5K1.1. The district court then sentenced the defendant to 160 months’ imprisonment.