Opinion ID: 776585
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Apprendi — Consecutive Sentences

Text: 37 In imposing sentences in this matter, the district court, at the urging of defense and government counsel, concluded that the statutory maximum for the offenses of conspiracy to distribute PCP and attempted possession of PCP with intent to distribute was five years imprisonment on each count. This determination was based on the incorrect assumption that PCP was a Schedule III controlled substance. 6 38 All sides acknowledge on appeal that PCP is a Schedule II controlled substance. The indictment charged and the case was tried with the full understanding that the substance involved was PCP. That PCP was misidentified in the indictment as a Schedule III drug was not prejudicial to the defendant. United States v. Greenwood, 974 F.2d 1449, 1471-73 (5th Cir. 1992) (mischaracterization of methamphetamine as Schedule III drug harmless error); United States v. Kaiser, 599 F.2d 942, 943 (10th Cir.1979) (misidentification of amphetamine as Schedule III drug harmless error). Therefore, the correct statutory maximum for conspiracy to distribute PCP and for attempted possession of PCP with intent to distribute is 20 years imprisonment on each count. 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C). 39 The district court applied the wrong statutory maximum to the offenses presented here. Using the twenty year statutory maximum, Gill's 97-month sentence falls within that maximum. Although the stacking of Gill's sentences was permissible, United States v. Buckland, No. 99-30285, 2002 WL 63718, at - (9th Cir. Jan.18, 2002) (en banc), it was not necessary. Whatever Apprendi issue might otherwise have existed assuming a five year statutory maximum is not presented in this case. 7 However, because of the errors below, it is appropriate to remand this matter for resentencing consistent with the correct statutory maximum for PCP drug-trafficking offenses.