Opinion ID: 180585
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Margrette Cobb’s Sentence

Text: With a criminal history of III, an offense level of 33, and an advisory guideline range of 168 to 210 months, Margrette Cobb was sentenced to 160 months in prison.1 She argues on appeal that the district court did not consider the factors listed in § 3553(a) or, if it did, that it misapplied those factors or did not give reasons for the sentence it imposed. Cobb argues that the district court provided only a “boilerplate statement” about the basis for its sentence. She further argues that the statement of reasons was too short and conclusory to allow for meaningful appellate review. We disagree. This court takes into account the “totality of the circumstances” when considering whether a sentence is substantively reasonable. Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007). In considering the totality of the circumstances, we find that the sentencing court acknowledged the seriousness of Cobb’s crimes, her criminal record, her personal characteristics, and the mitigating circumstances set forth in her sentencing materials. The judge concluded “that her request for a sentence which does not deviate or vary from the applicable sentencing guidelines range is not persuasive because the mitigating circumstances that are described by the defendant in my judgment just don’t warrant such a deviation or variance and so her request for such a deviance or variance is denied.” M. Cobb Sent. Tr. 20. The court also commented on the defendant’s age and discussed his hope for her rehabilitation in prison: “Hopefully she will take advantage of the resources available in the United States Bureau of Prison[s], 1 The district court sentenced Cobb eight months below the sentencing guideline range pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 5K2.23, which allows for downward departures for time served on related offenses. At the time of sentencing, Cobb had already served time in state prison for conduct relevant to calculating her offense level in this case. Nos. 09‐2834, 09‐2854, 09‐2912, 09‐3565, and 09‐3589 Page 10 including substance abuse, mental health assessment and treatment programs as well as educational and vocational training programs while she is confined.” Id. at 21. Such statements show that the court had considered Cobb’s arguments and her particular circumstances in deciding on a sentence. The judge did not err in his consideration and explanation of the § 3553(a) factors in imposing Cobb’s sentence.