Opinion ID: 216023
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Enhancement Based on Acquitted Conduct

Text: Holmes next contends that the district court erred in considering acquitted conduct when it applied a four-point enhancement for possessing the firearm in connection with drug trafficking. The government does not dispute that Holmes was acquitted of the conduct forming the basis for the drug trafficking enhancement but argues that this circuit’s precedent permits the district court to consider acquitted conduct when determining an appropriate sentence. Holmes does not dispute that United States v. Vaughn, 430 F.3d 518, 527 (2d Cir. 2005), is directly on point and contrary to his position. There, post-United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005), we held that district courts could continue to “consider acquitted conduct when sentencing within the statutory range authorized by the jury’s verdict.” Vaughn, 430 F.3d at 527. Because we are bound by Vaughn, Holmes’ argument fails.