Opinion ID: 776100
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Minimal Use of Force

Text: 26 The district court found, as a mitigating factor, that the force used during the rape was minimal and departed downward pursuant to USSG § 5K2.0. In making this finding, the district court found the force used was associated with the beating, rather than with the rape. 7 27 We find this reasoning is misplaced. A finding of minimal force cannot be reconciled with the evidence. A departure for minimal use of force in these circumstances cannot be supported by any interpretation of the case law. In a recent case, we found no abuse of discretion and affirmed a downward departure for minimal use of force where the victim awoke to find the defendant raping her. United States v. Allery, 175 F.3d 610 (8th Cir. 1999). In Allery, we found the defendant used virtually the least amount of force to sustain a conviction for the offense of abusive sexual contact by use of force under 18 U.S.C. § 2244(a)(1). Id. at 613. The force used by Petersen against Calley is significantly different. Petersen used a flashlight to beat Calley, he strangled her until she was unconscious, he dislocated her shoulder, he sexually assaulted and then raped Calley, and he threatened to kill Calley in order to satisfy his desires. Finally, the fact that the rape victim was the wife of the offender under these circumstances does not warrant a downward departure. Cf. Arcoren v. United States, 929 F.2d 1235, 1246-48 (8th Cir. 1991) (affirming upward departure based upon physical restraint, where victim was defendant's estranged wife). 28 We find it unreasonable and capricious to reconcile the jury's finding here of aggravation under 18 U.S.C. § 2241(a) with a downward departure for minimal force. Furthermore, we are unconvinced that Petersen's conduct during the aggravated sexual assault falls outside the heartland. Accordingly, we find the district court's downward departure for minimal use of force is an abuse of discretion.