Opinion ID: 618626
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Enhancement for Leadership Role in the Kidnapping

Text: Robles was given a four-step enhancement to his offense level for being the leader or organizer of a criminal activity based on his involvement in Tapia's kidnapping. See United States Sentencing Commission, Guidelines Manual, § 3B1.1. Robles does not contest that the kidnapping was a qualifying activity for the four-level enhancement but argues that there was insufficient evidence to show that he was the leader or organizer of the kidnapping. A leadership enhancement is warranted when an individual organizes or directs the participation of another and is reviewed for clear error. United States v. Van Chase, 137 F.3d 579, 583 (8th Cir. 1998) (internal citation omitted). To warrant the enhancement, the defendant need only to have directed one other participant. United States v. Sarabia-Martinez, 276 F.3d 447, 451 (8th Cir.2002). The Government need only prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the leader-organizer enhancement is appropriate. United States v. Garcia-Hernandez, 530 F.3d 657, 665 (8th Cir.2008). The evidence presented at trial was sufficient to support the judge's finding that Robles was a leader or organizer in the kidnapping. Garcia testified that Tito monitored Garcia's and Tapia's actions and reported their location back to Robles in order to enable Robles to effectuate Tapia's kidnapping. [5] Robles supervised at least one person when he directed Tito to inform Robles of Garcia's whereabouts. Thus, the district court appropriately assessed the leadership enhancement. [6] The district court did not err in applying the enhancement.