Opinion ID: 552412
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Michael Joe Olesen

Text: 28 Olesen argues on appeal that the district court improperly increased his criminal offense level by two points after finding he was an organizer, leader, manager or supervisor. This court reviews district court factual determinations pursuant to Sentencing Guidelines Sec. 3B1.1 under a clearly erroneous standard. 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3742(e)(4); United States v. Hoelscher, 914 F.2d 1527, 1544 (8th Cir.1990). Application Note 3 to Sec. 3B1.1 states: 29 Factors the court should consider include the exercise of decision making authority, the nature of participation in the commission of the offense, the recruitment of accomplices, the claimed right to a larger share of the fruits of the crime, the degree of participation in planning or organizing the offense, the nature and scope of the illegal activity, and the degree of control and authority exercised over others. 30 U.S.S.G. Sec. 3B1.1, comment. (n. 3) (Nov.1990). In United States v. Streeter, 907 F.2d 781 (8th Cir.1990), this court held that it was not clearly erroneous for the district court to find a leadership role when the defendant had exclusive control over the marijuana plants and other persons participated in the cultivation of the plants. Id. at 792. Here, the district court found that Olesen controlled both the pricing and distribution of cocaine and that his profits indicated he performed an aggravating role in a large conspiracy. Furthermore, the district court found that the amount Olesen sold to individuals made it reasonable to conclude that some of his buyers were reselling the cocaine they purchased from him. That not every reasonable person would necessarily reach the same conclusion is irrelevant. The district court's explanation of its conclusion is not clearly erroneous, and we therefore affirm.