Opinion ID: 785438
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Basinski's Role as a Leader and an Organizer

Text: 61 At sentencing the district court judge added a four-level adjustment to Basinski's sentence based on his role in the conspiracy. Guideline § 3B1.1(a) permits this adjustment if the defendant was an organizer or leader of criminal activity that involved five or more participants or was otherwise extensive. U.S.S.G § 3B1.1. Whether Basinski was a leader in the conspiracy for purposes of § 3B1.1 is a question of fact which we review for clear error. United States v. Vivit, 214 F.3d 908, 922 (7th Cir.2000). 62 To be classified as an organizer or leader, a defendant may simply have organized or in some way directed another member of the conspiracy. United States v. Mustread, 42 F.3d 1097, 1104 (7th Cir. 1994). The upward adjustment is applicable to each leader in a conspiracy and more than one conspirator may qualify as an organizer or a leader. United States v. McClinton, 135 F.3d 1178, 1191 (7th Cir. 1998). See U.S.S.G § 3B1.1(a), Application Note 4. 63 The wiretap that intercepted the conversations of Hanhardt and Basinski showed that both exercised decision-making authority. The two organized and planned the identification and stalking of jewelry salespersons and the theft and sale of jewelry. Basinski recruited and supervised knowing accomplices and unknowing participants to assist in the theft of jewelry and the sale of stolen jewelry. In dozens of recorded conversations, Hanhardt and Basinski decided whom to target in addition to planning and organizing the commission of the thefts. 64 Basinski insists that the district court rejected the three-level enhancement determined by the probation officer, made no findings to support its conclusion, and reached its conclusion based upon only a brief statement by the government at sentencing. We disagree. The record is clear that the court relied on the entire record in reaching its decision. The court stated: 65 It may well be that Mr. Hanhardt was the ultimate leader, but clearly he and Mr. Basinski were simultaneously the leader[s] and organizers of the conspiracy. And in making this determination the Court has considered the 165-page Santiago proffer, as well as the information in support of the Title III tapes. And the Court has considered the plea agreements of certain defendants, as well as, indeed, the blind plea of Mr. Hanhardt to Count 1 and Count 2. As the Court has examined all these submissions, including the submissions of Mr. Basinski himself, it is clear that both he and Hanhardt were leaders and organizers of the conspiracy. 66 Tr5/06/02//12-13. It is clear that the district court considered the entire record before deciding. The district court's conclusion that Basinski was a leader and an organizer is supported by the record and therefore not clearly erroneous. 67