Opinion ID: 625309
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Alleged Procedural Error and Substantive Reasonableness in Sentencing

Text: A district court commits procedural error if it fails to properly calculate the Guidelines range, treats the Guidelines as mandatory, fails to consider § 3553(a) factors, selects a sentence based on clearly erroneous facts, or fails to adequately explain its chosen sentence. United States v. Feemster, 572 F.3d 455, 461 (8th Cir.2009) (en banc) (citing Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51, 128 S.Ct. 586, 169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007)). Stroud argues that the district court erred in applying the enhancement set forth in Guidelines § 2K2.1(c), which provides for an enhancement to the most analogous homicide offense level if the felon in possession used the firearm in the commission of another offense and death resulted. Stroud argues that the government did not present sufficient evidence to support the district court's finding that he had murdered Davis. Again, we disagree. At sentencing, Hanewinkel testified that Stroud had admitted killing Davis. Additionally, a firearms expert testified that one of the lead projectiles taken from Davis's body matched the gun Stroud possessed. The evidence was thus sufficient for the district court to determine, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Stroud murdered Davis. We next turn to Stroud's argument that the district court committed procedural error by not adequately explaining his sentence. Because Stroud did not object to the district court's explanation, we review for plain error. United States v. Hill, 552 F.3d 686, 690 (8th Cir. 2009). Plain error is (1) an error; (2) that is plain; and (3) that affects substantial rights. Id. (citations omitted). The district court stated that the primary motivating factors today are respect for the law, protecting the public, treatment for Mr. Stroud plays a role. . . . Sentencing Tr. at 41. The district court went on to say that 120 months' imprisonment was appropriate, given that the Guidelines recommended a sentence of life imprisonment with the enhancement for murder, but that the statutory maximum was 120 months' imprisonment. Id. We do not require a court to recite the § 3553(a) factors mechanically, but it must be clear that the district court considered them. United States v. Wood, 587 F.3d 882, 884 (8th Cir.2009). Having articulated the specific factors that informed its sentencing decision and discussed the Guidelines recommendation and statutory maximum sentence, the district court committed no error, plain or otherwise. To the extent that Stroud challenges the substantive reasonableness and constitutionality of his sentence, we find his arguments to be unpersuasive. Stroud's sentence was within the Guidelines range, and he has failed to rebut the presumption of reasonableness accorded to such sentences. Wood, 587 F.3d at 884 (citing United States v. Toothman, 543 F.3d 967, 970 (8th Cir.2008)). Stroud's final argument challenging his sentence is that the use of acquitted conductthat is, the murder of Davisin sentencing violates his constitutional rights under the Fifth and Sixth Amendment. But it is the settled law of our circuit that the Constitution does not preclude a district court from considering acquitted conduct in sentencing a criminal defendant. United States v. Papakee, 573 F.3d 569, 576 (8th Cir.2009) (citing United States v. Canania, 532 F.3d 764, 771 (8th Cir.2008)) (considering acquitted conduct does not violate a defendant's Fifth or Sixth Amendment rights).