Opinion ID: 78593
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Rozier Was Properly Sentenced by the District Court

Text: Rozier was sentenced to 210 months' imprisonment for violation of § 922(g)(1). According to 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(2), the basic maximum sentence for a violation of § 922(g)(1) is 120 months' imprisonment. However, Rozier had previously been convicted of at least three serious drug offenses on different occasions, and [i]n the case of a person who violates section 922(g)(1) of this title and has three previous convictions ... for a ... serious drug offense, ... such person shall be ... imprisoned not less than fifteen years. 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(1). Rozier argues that because these prior convictions were not included within the indictment, nor proven to a jury, any sentence over the 120-month maximum of § 924(a)(2) is unconstitutional. This argument runs contrary to the established law of the Supreme Court and this Circuit. See Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 230-35, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 1224-26, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998) (concluding that subsections such as § 924(e)(1), which substantially increase the maximum penalty for persons with prior convictions, are penalty provisions and do not define a separate crime that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury). Thus, it was enough that the district judge, at sentencing, found that Rozier had in fact been convicted of three or more prior serious drug offenses. Rozier also contends that his sentence was in error because the district judge sentenced him to more than fifteen years' imprisonment. Rozier argues § 924(e)(1) must be interpreted to have a maximum sentence of fifteen years because it does not explicitly state a maximum sentence, but rather only says not less than fifteen years. However, we have ruled directly on this subject and found that the maximum penalty, for convictions covered by the § 924(e) sentencing enhancement, is life imprisonment. United States v. Brame, 997 F.2d 1426, 1429 (11th Cir.1993). We find no merit to this argument.