Opinion ID: 175425
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Physically Restrained a Victim

Text: The Guidelines provide that, if any person was physically restrained to facilitate commission of the offense or to facilitate escape, the offense level shall be increased by two. U.S.S.G. § 2B3.1(b)(4)(B). The Guidelines define physically restrained: Physically restrained: [T]he forcible restraint of the victim such as by being tied, bound, or locked up. U.S.S.G. § 1B1.1 cmt. n. 1(K). See United States v. Parker, 241 F.3d 1114, 1118 (9th Cir.2001) (These examples are illustrative and not exclusive.). [3] The Ninth Circuit has observed, cases holding that a defendant physically restrained his victims usually involve a sustained focus on the restrained person that lasts long enough for the robber to direct the victim into a room or order the victim to walk somewhere. See id. A sustained focus on a victim exists when, at gunpoint, the victim is ordered into a back room, United States v. Nelson, 137 F.3d 1094, 1112 (9th Cir.1998), repeatedly forced to get down and get up, United States v. Thompson, 109 F.3d 639, 641 (9th Cir.1997), or forced to walk some distance (i.e., from the teller area to the vault area), id. (alternative holding). It is not enough if the defendant briefly points a gun at a victim and orders her once to get down. Parker, 241 F.3d at 1118-19 (explaining that Congress must have meant something more, because nearly all armed bank robberies will presumably involve such acts). Albritton argues that, because there was no sustained focus on Zeiss, she was not physically restrained. However, the video clearly shows a sustained focus on Zeiss. Albritton directed Zeiss across and around the office. He followed right behind her, gun in hand. Thus, we affirm the district court's offense level increase on this ground. [4]