Opinion ID: 2683710
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: September 12, 2012 Indictment

Text: On September 12, 2012, a grand jury indicted Butler with one count of conspiracy to commit an armed robbery under the Hobbs Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a) (Count 1) and one count of violating “Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A) and Section 2” (Count 3). As to Count 3, the indictment alleged that Butler “did use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, that is, conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.” Count 3 did not, however, allege that Butler “brandished” the firearm. As to Count 3, the penalty for a violation of § 924(c)(1)(A) is a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i). But if the firearm is brandished, the mandatory minimum penalty is increased to seven years’ imprisonment. Id. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii). As explained below, Butler admitted that he brandished a firearm, and thus, the district court imposed the seven-year mandatory minimum sentence on Count 3.