Opinion ID: 610900
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Application of the Narcotics Guidelines

Text: 32 Despite the fact that he was convicted of conspiracy and attempt to possess narcotics, Koontz argues that he was improperly sentenced under the narcotics guidelines. Although his argument is somewhat opaque, Koontz apparently believes that, because his and his co-conspirators' criminal activity did not involve a typical drug transaction, the narcotics guidelines are inapplicable to his case as a matter of law. 33 The record does not disclose that Koontz objected to the application of the narcotics guidelines in the court below. Thus, he probably has waived his right to do so on appeal. See United States v. Rodriguez, 943 F.2d 215, 217 (2d Cir.1991) (court will be hesitant to consider on appeal sentencing issues not raised in the district court). In any event, his argument is without merit. To be sure, Koontz's crimes did not involve a typical narcotics transaction. Instead of selling or purchasing drugs, he and his co-conspirators planned to steal them. Thus, Howard could likely have been indicted for attempted larceny as well as the drug offenses he was charged with. However, Koontz properly was convicted of conspiracy and attempt to possess and distribute cocaine; thus, he was properly sentenced under the guidelines applicable to those offenses. See, e.g., Schetz v. United States, 901 F.2d 85, 86 (7th Cir.1990) (defendant convicted of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine through theft of car he believed to contain drugs properly sentenced under narcotics guidelines). 34 Koontz also argues that he and his co-conspirators were incompetent and unlikely to succeed in their robbery plan, even absent government intervention. Koontz apparently believes that the bungling burglar scenario presented by his case constitutes a mitigating circumstance that is not within the heartland of factual scenarios considered by the Sentencing Commission in formulating the Guidelines. A mitigating circumstance not considered by the Sentencing Commission may entitle a defendant to a downward departure from a Guidelines sentence. See U.S.S.G. § 5K2.0. Yet Koontz failed to argue this allegedly mitigating circumstance as a basis for departure before the district court. He may not do so for the first time on appeal. See United States v. Khan, 920 F.2d 1100, 1107 (2d Cir.1990), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S.Ct. 1606, 113 L.Ed.2d 669 (1991).