Court Opinion

ID: 2678340
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-06-13 17:00:10.36209+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:09:27.527100
License: Public Domain

NOT PRECEDENTIAL

                     UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                          FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
                                  ______

                                    No. 13-3517
                                      ______

                         UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                          v.

                           KENNETH DAMONE SMITH
                              a/k/a McKinley Smith

                                   Kenneth Smith,
                                              Appellant
                                      ______

                   On Appeal from the United States District Court
                      for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
                           (Crim. No. 2:99-cr-00359-001)
                      District Judge: Honorable Curtis Joyner
                                       ______

                  Submitted Pursuant to Third Circuit L.A.R. 34.1(a)
                                   June 12, 2014

       Before: FISHER, VAN ANTWERPEN, and TASHIMA, Circuit Judges

                                (Filed: June 13, 2014)
                                        ______

                             OPINION OF THE COURT
                                     ______

VAN ANTWERPEN, Circuit Judge.


 Hon. A. Wallace Tashima, Senior Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth
Circuit, sitting by designation.
       Appellant Kenneth Smith (“Smith”)1 was sentenced by the United States District

Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to 12 months and one day of

imprisonment, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(3), upon the revocation of his supervised

release for violating its conditions. Claiming the revocation and the corresponding

sentence imposed was procedurally and substantively unreasonable, he now appeals. For

the reasons that follow, we will affirm the sentencing decision of the District Court.

                                          I. Facts

       As we are writing to the parties, we briefly recite only the relevant facts below.

Smith was convicted by jury trial on February 18, 2000 as a felon in possession of a

firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment and three

years’ supervised release.2 Smith commenced his supervised release on February 10,

2011, upon the completion of his term of imprisonment. Conditions of Smith’s

supervised release included: (1) submission to a drug test 15 days after release and two

periodic drug tests thereafter, (2) participation in a drug and alcohol treatment program,

and (3) refraining from possession and/or use of drugs. Later, the District Court imposed

a further condition requiring participation in 15 hours of community service weekly, until

gainful employment was secured.

1
  Smith has gone by a number of aliases, including: McKinley Damone Smith, Kenneth
Damone Smith, Kenneth Smith, Kenney Smith, Kenny Smith, Kenneth Damond Smith,
and Kennth Smith.
2
  Smith was arrested following the execution of a warrant at his residence stemming from
an armed robbery in which he took a firearm. During the execution of the warrant, Smith
was found to be in possession of guns, which had been stolen from a neighboring
residence.
                                             2
       During the first year of supervised release, after Smith voluntarily began the

“intensive supervision” of the Supervision to Aid Reentry (“STAR”) program, he

violated the conditions of his release on June 22, 2011 and again on January 11, 2012 for

continuing to use illegal substances.3 (App. vol. II at 30.) Despite a brief detention

imposed by the District Court, further violations continued,4 and on April 12, 2012, the

United States Probation Office petitioned for a revocation of his supervised release.

Following a hearing, the District Court found a Class C violation and revoked Smith’s

supervised release. He was subsequently sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment and an

additional two years’ supervised release.5

       Smith recommenced his supervised release on April 11, 2013. Again, he violated

the conditions of his release, leading to a second revocation petition on July 5, 2013, now

at issue on appeal.6 A hearing was held during which Smith and his attorney sought

3
  His June 22, 2011 violation also included failure to complete community service. For
this violation Smith was placed in a Residential Reentry Center (“RRC”) for 60 days.
After his January violation, during which Smith refused to submit a urine sample, he was
placed into custody for seven days.
4
  The “Violation of Supervised Release” petition lists further reasons seeking revocation:

       1. April 12, 2012: urine sample that was presumptively positive for cocaine.
       2. Failure to attend Intensive Outpatient Treatment.
       3. Missing appointments with his probation officer on six occasions.

(App. vol. II at 30-32.)
5
  Smith appealed this imposition and we affirmed the decision of the District Court on
January 11, 2013. See United States v. Smith, 510 F. App’x 145 (3d Cir. 2013).
6
  The second Violation of Supervised Release Petition, noted violations, including:

       1. Four failures of drug urinalyses, detecting cocaine and marijuana.
       2. Twice missing urine tests.
                                             3
mental health treatment in lieu of additional imprisonment.7 The District Court, on

August 6, 2013, sentenced Smith to a term of imprisonment of 12 months and one day,8

without further supervised release; this appeal followed.

                                  II. Standard of Review9

       Our review of a district court’s sentence after revocation of supervised release is

typically for abuse of discretion. United States v. Bungar, 478 F.3d 540, 542 (3d Cir.

2007). In doing so, we review the legal conclusions regarding the United States

Sentencing Guidelines de novo, and factual findings for clear error. United States v.

Blackmon, 557 F.3d 113, 118 (3d Cir. 2009); see also 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(3) (revocation

is appropriate if a district court “finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the

defendant violated a condition of supervised release”). Where, however, a defendant

claims an error for the first time on appeal, we review for plain error. United States v.

Berger, 689 F.3d 297, 299 (3d Cir. 2012). Under a plain error review, there must be an

“(1) error, (2) that is plain, and (3) that affect[s] substantial rights. If all three conditions

       3. Caught attempting to dilute a presumptively positive cocaine test with
       bleach, then again testing positive the following day.
       4. Failure to attend a mental health intake appointment, a condition of his
       supervised release.
       5. A missed office visit with his Probation Officer.
       6. Failure to pay $50/month towards his fine and special assessment.

(App. vol. II at 4-6.)
7
  The United States offers the fact that during the hearing Smith, through his attorney,
asked for the sentence subsequently imposed by the District Court.
8
  This sentence, taking Smith’s requests into account, included a recommendation for
mental health treatment during his incarceration.
9
  The District Court had jurisdiction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3231. We have jurisdiction
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3742 and 28 U.S.C. § 1291.

                                               4
are met, an appellate court may then exercise its discretion to notice a forfeited error, but

only if (4) the error seriously affect[s] the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of

judicial proceedings.” Johnson v. United States, 520 U.S. 461, 467 (1997) (internal

citations omitted) (internal quotation marks omitted).

       We review the sentence imposed for both procedural and substantive

reasonableness, and the Appellant bears the burden of demonstrating the sentence

imposed was unreasonable. United States v. Tomko, 562 F.3d 558, 567 (3d Cir. 2009) (en

banc). Finally, we will not disturb the sentence imposed for a violation of supervised

release unless it is “plainly unreasonable.” United States v. Blackston, 940 F.2d 877, 894

(3d Cir. 1991).

                                       III. Discussion

       On appeal, Smith now challenges the procedural and substantive reasonableness of

his sentence following the revocation of his supervised release. Specifically, Smith

contends that the District Court erred procedurally by failing to consider the 18 U.S.C. §

3553(a) factors, and substantively by, after applying the facts to the relevant factors,

imposing a sentence of imprisonment instead of considering alternative dispositions such

as drug treatment for his addiction.

       We begin our analysis with the statutory provision allowing or requiring a district

court to modify or revoke supervised release. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(3), the

court may, after considering the § 3553(a) factors,

       revoke a term of supervised release, and require the defendant to serve in
       prison all or part of the term of supervised release authorized by statute for
       the offense that resulted in such term of supervised release without credit

                                             5
       for time previously served on postrelease supervision, if the court, pursuant
       to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure applicable to revocation of
       probation or supervised release, finds by a preponderance of the evidence
       that the defendant violated a condition of supervised release, except that a
       defendant whose term is revoked under this paragraph may not be required
       to serve on any such revocation more than . . . 2 years in prison if such
       offense is a class C or D felony, or more than one year in any other case.

Id. § 3583(e)(3). This revocation allowance becomes mandatory when, as in this case, the

defendant “refuses to comply with drug testing imposed as a condition of supervised

release” or “as a part of drug testing, tests positive for illegal controlled substances more

than 3 times over the course of 1 year.” Id. § 3583(g)(3)-(4); see also 18 U.S.C. §

3565(b)(4). Revocation is further encouraged by the United States Sentencing Guidelines

(“U.S.S.G.” or “Guidelines”). U.S.S.G. § 7B1.3 cmt. 1 (“Revocation of probation or

supervised release generally is the appropriate disposition in the case of a Grade C

violation by a defendant who, having been continued on supervision after a finding of

violation, again violates the conditions of his supervision.”).

       A district court sentencing a defendant upon revocation of supervised release

under § 3583(e) must consider the policy statements in Chapter 7 of the Guidelines and

the sentencing factors enumerated in § 3553(a). Blackston, 940 F.2d at 893. Under

Chapter 7 of the Guidelines, “[u]pon a finding of a Grade C violation, the court may (A)

revoke probation or supervised release; or (B) extend the term of probation or supervised

release and/or modify the conditions of supervision.” U.S.S.G. § 7B1.3(a)(2). Revocation

is emphasized when the defendant is a repeat offender. Id. cmt. 1. Once revoked,

U.S.S.G. § 7B1.4 sets forth ranges of imprisonment based upon the defendant’s grade of

                                              6
violation and criminal history category.10 This range, however, is merely advisory.

United States v. Dees, 467 F.3d 847, 853 (3d Cir. 2006) (citing Blackston, 940 F.2d at

893) (“[A] district court may consider the Sentencing Guidelines revocation table in

U.S.S.G. § 7B1.4(a), which even before Booker was advisory.”).

       As required by § 3583(e), a district court must also give the § 3553(a) factors

“meaningful consideration” prior to imposing a sentence. United States v. Cooper, 437

F.3d 324, 329 (3d Cir. 2006), abrogated on other grounds by Rita v. United States, 551

U.S. 338, 346 (2007). When imposing a sentence after revocation of supervised release,

however, there is no requirement a district court make specific findings with respect to

each § 3553(a) factor considered. Blackston, 940 F.2d at 893-94. “The court need not . . .

discuss a defendant’s clearly nonmeritorious arguments, or otherwise ‘discuss and make

findings as to each of the § 3553(a) factors if the record makes clear the court took the

factors into account in sentencing.’” Bungar, 478 F.3d at 543 (quoting Cooper, 437 F.3d

at 329).

       We will address both procedural and substantive reasonableness in order,

reminding ourselves the party challenging the sentence bears the burden of proving it was

unreasonable. United States v. King, 454 F.3d 187, 194 (3d Cir. 2006).

                             A. Procedural Reasonableness

       We begin by undertaking plain error review of the procedural reasonableness of

the sentence by the District Court:

10
   Smith committed Grade “C” violations of his supervised release and had a criminal
history category of IV, which calculates to a range between 6-12 months.
                                            7
       [We] must first ensure that the district court committed no significant
       procedural error, such as failing to calculate (or improperly calculating) the
       Guidelines range, treating the Guidelines as mandatory, failing to consider
       the § 3553(a) factors, selecting a sentence based on clearly erroneous facts,
       or failing to adequately explain the chosen sentence—including an
       explanation for any deviation from the Guidelines range.

Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007). If meaningful consideration has been given

by the District Court, our review is highly deferential, as the central inquiry “is whether

the district judge imposed the sentence he or she did for reasons that are logical and

consistent with the factors set forth in section 3553(a).” Cooper, 437 F.3d at 330 (quoting

United States v. Williams, 425 F.3d 478, 481 (7th Cir. 2005)).

       We turn to the transcript to determine whether the District Court adequately

analyzed the § 3553(a) factors. While terse statements summarizing the factors have been

enough in prior cases,11 see, e.g., Blackston, 940 F.2d at 894, this Court has also found

analyses insufficient when improperly articulated, see United States v. Jackson, 467 F.3d

834, 842 (3d Cir. 2006) (“Merely reciting the § 3553(a) factors, saying that counsel’s

arguments have been considered, and then declaring a sentence, are insufficient to

11
   The District Court in Blackston offered two reasons for its decision to sentence
Blackston to three years’ imprisonment rather than two after revoking his supervised
release.

       I want [to send a] message . . . that this kind of activity is going to be dealt
       with swiftly[,] . . . and for those who get involved in drugs, they risk going
       to jail for a long period of time.
       Even if [they] get out on supervised release there’s a long rope that will
       reach out for a long period of time so [that they] can be dragged in here to
       account for [their] activities.

Both of these reasons were considered “cognizable” under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). 940 F.2d
at 894 (alterations in original).
                                              8
withstand our reasonableness review.”); see also United States v. King, 454 F.3d 187,

196-97 (3d Cir. 2006) (stating that district courts “should observe the requirement to state

adequate reasons for a sentence on the record so that this court can engage in meaningful

appellate review”).

       This was Smith’s second revocation hearing before the same District Court and

Judge in the span of two years.12 His violations were well documented and known by the

Court, and he admitted to them during the colloquy.13 United States v. Broce, 488 U.S.

563, 569 (1989) (noting that when a party admits to violations of a supervised release,

“the inquiry is ordinarily confined to whether the underlying plea was both counseled and

12
   Smith was first before the United States District Court for a prior revocation hearing on
April, 19, 2012. This Circuit subsequently held the District Court acted both procedurally
and substantively reasonably in sentencing Smith to 12 months’ imprisonment and
additional supervised release. See Smith, 510 F.App’x at 148 (“The District Court in this
case carefully described its consideration of the § 3553(a) factors and its reasons for
imposing the sentence.”).
13
   The relevant transcript excerpt:

       [The Court]: Mr. Smith, obviously you know why you’re here this
       morning?
       [Smith]: Yes.
       [The Court]: And that’s because there’s been a petition that has been filed
       indicating that you have not complied with your supervised release; is that
       right?
       [Smith]: Yes, sir.
       [The Court]: And you understand what the allegations are in that petition?
       [Smith]: Yes, sir.
       [The Court]: And do you admit being in violation of your supervised
       release?
       [Smith]: Yes, sir.
       [The Court]: Very well. Pursuant to your admission, this Court finds you in
       violation of your supervised release.

(App. vol. II at 40.) Smith again voluntarily admitted to his violations multiple times
during the colloquy. (E.g. Id. at 43 (“Q. And you admit being in violation? A. Yes.”).)
                                             9
voluntary”). Smith’s attorney discussed the petition with him, laying out his violations,

most notably four failed drug tests between May and June of 2013, requiring mandatory

imprisonment. See 18 U.S.C. §§ 3565(b)(3)-(4), 3583(g); see also U.S.S.G. § 7B1.3 cmt.

1. Finally, the District Court, on multiple occasions during the colloquy, ensured Smith

understood the nature of the proceeding and why he was in the courtroom.

         The District Court also took into meaningful consideration the § 3553(a) factors in

its decision.14 It ensured a recommendation for mental health treatment and discussed the

nature and characteristics of Smith, highlighting that revocation is imposed “primarily to

sanction the defendant’s breach of trust, while taking into account, to a limited degree,

the seriousness of the underlying violation and the criminal history of the violator.”

Bungar, 478 F.3d at 544 (quoting Dees, 467 F.3d at 853) (internal quotation marks

omitted).

         [The District Court]: I take it that while you were under supervision, [the
         Probation Officer] was trying every way he could to help you and assist

14
     The 3553(a) factors include:

         (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and
         characteristics of the defendant;
         (2) the need for the sentence imposed[;]
         ....
         (3) the kinds of sentences available;
         (4) the kinds of sentence and the sentencing range established[;]
         ....
         (5) any pertinent policy statement[;]
         ....
         (6) the need to avoid unwarranted sentence disparities among defendants
         with similar records who have been found guilty of similar conduct; and
         (7) the need to provide restitution to any victims of the offense.

18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).
                                             10
        you in getting treatment so that you would stay out of these situations that
        bring you into court today.
        [Smith]: Yes.
        [The District Court]: And you failed to do that; is that correct?
        ....
        [Smith]: Yes.

(App. vol. II at 46-47.) Furthermore, the District Court applied a sentence that took into

consideration the kinds and range of sentencing available, varying from the Guideline

range only at Smith’s request. Thus, we find the District Court did not commit plain error

because its sentencing determination was procedurally reasonable.

                             B. Substantive Reasonableness

        Having found the decision of the District Court to be procedurally reasonable, we

now turn to the substantive reasonableness of the sentence. A sentence is substantively

reasonable where a district court “reasonably applied [the § 3553(a)] factors to the

circumstances of the case.” Bungar, 478 F.3d at 543. Again, we must recognize the

primary purpose of revocation and sentencing is to sanction Smith’s breach of trust and to

take into consideration his prior criminal history. Id. at 544 (citing Dees, 467 F.3d at

853).

        The advisory Guidelines range for Smith was 6-12 months. The District Court

originally imposed a sentence of 12 months, with no supervised release to follow. The

District Court only departed from the Guidelines range at the request of Smith. (App. vol.

II at 44-45 (“[Smith] asked that, if possible, if he’s going to be violated with a year of

incarceration, if he could get a year and a day.”).) Further, the District Court took into

consideration Smith’s request for mental health treatment in its recommendations and

                                            11
order. The District Court did not commit plain substantive error in its sentencing of

Smith. At bottom, the District Court considered and applied the facts to the § 3553(a)

factors, and thus the sentence of 12 months and one day imposed was substantively

reasonable.

                                   IV. Conclusion

      For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the decision of the District Court to revoke

supervised release and sentence Smith to 12 months and one day imprisonment.

                                         12