Court Opinion

ID: 62586
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-26 04:45:44+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:20:06.516995
License: Public Domain

[DO NOT PUBLISH]

             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

                    FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT            FILED
                      ________________________ U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
                                                          ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
                                                             JUNE 16, 2008
                             No. 07-15524
                                                           THOMAS K. KAHN
                         Non-Argument Calendar
                                                               CLERK
                       ________________________

                   D. C. Docket No. 07-20462-CR-JEM

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                                     Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                  versus

RAYMOND GONZALEZ,
a.k.a. Ramonsito,
a.k.a. Ramon Gonzalez,

                                                     Defendant-Appellant.

                       ________________________

                Appeal from the United States District Court
                    for the Southern District of Florida
                      _________________________

                              (June 16, 2008)

Before TJOFLAT, BIRCH and DUBINA, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:
      Raymond Gonzalez appeals his concurrent prison sentences of 240 months

each that the district court imposed after he pled guilty to all counts of a three-

count indictment: Count One, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50

grams or more of cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846; Counts Two and

Three, possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base, in

violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). His brief presents one issue: whether his

sentences were procedurally or substantively unreasonable in light of the

sentencing factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(2). We affirm.

      Gonzalez argues that, “under the totality of the circumstances,” the sentences

the district court imposed were unreasonable. He contends that the court was

confused regarding the guideline sentence ranges and statutory mandatory

minimums relating to powder versus crack cocaine. Finally, he contends that the

court used the incorrect legal standard in imposing the sentences by requiring him

to provide “extraordinary proof,” rather than “reasonable proof,” to justify

sentences outside of the guidelines range. Prison terms of 120 months would

reflect the seriousness of the offense, afford adequate deterrence to criminal

conduct, and provide protection to the public.

      We review the final sentence imposed by the district court for

reasonableness. United States v. Winingear, 422 F.3d 1241, 1245 (11th Cir. 2005).

                                            2
Specifically, the district court must impose a sentence that is both procedurally and

substantively reasonable. Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. ___, 128 S.Ct. 586, 597,

169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007). The Supreme Court has explained that a sentence may be

procedurally unreasonable if the district court improperly calculates the guideline

imprisonment range, treats the guidelines as mandatory, fails to consider the

appropriate statutory factors, bases the sentence on clearly erroneous facts, or fails

adequately to explain its reasoning. Id. at ___, 128 S.Ct. at 597. The substantive

reasonableness of a sentence is reviewed under an abuse-of-discretion standard,

which involves inquiring whether the statutory factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)

support the sentence in question. Id.

      In arriving at a reasonable sentence, the district court is required to consider

the factors set out in § 3553(a): (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense, and

the history and characteristics of the defendant; (2) the need to reflect the

seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just

punishment for the offense; (3) the need for deterrence; (4) the need to protect the

public; (5) the need to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational

training or medical care; (6) the kinds of sentences available; (7) the Sentencing

Guidelines range; (8) pertinent policy statements of the Sentencing Commission;

(9) the need to avoid unwanted sentencing disparities; and (10) the need to provide

                                           3
restitution to victims. United States v. Talley, 431 F.3d 784, 786 (11th Cir. 2005)

(citing 18 U.S.C. 3553(a)). The district court need not discuss or state that it

explicitly has considered each factor of § 3553(a). Talley, 431 F.3d at 786.

Instead, an explicit acknowledgment that the court has considered the defendant's

arguments and the § 3553(a) factors will suffice. United States v. Scott, 426 F.3d

1324, 1329-30 (11th Cir. 2005); see also Rita v. United States, 551 U.S. __, 127

S.Ct. 2456, 2469, 168 L.Ed.2d 203 (2007).

      In this case, the sentences were not procedurally unreasonable because the

district court applied the correct legal analysis, entertained the parties’

presentations, and considered Gonzalez’s personal history and the factors set out in

§ 3553(a). Gonzalez's sentences also were not substantively unreasonable because

the court imposed below-guidelines sentences, which were consistent with

Gonzalez’s personal history of cocaine addiction, criminal history, and current

offense.

      AFFIRMED.

                                            4