Court Opinion

ID: 2674367
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-05-16 00:00:34.052455+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:05:31.129277
License: Public Domain

NOT PRECEDENTIAL

                      UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                           FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT

                                    No. 13-2250

                          UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                         v.

                               JEAN DEMOSTHENE,
                                          Appellant

                 On Appeal from the United States District Court
                          for the District of New Jersey
                        (D.C. No. 1:10-cr-00526-RMB)
                    District Judge: Hon. Renee Marie Bumb

                      Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
                                   March 3, 2014

     BEFORE: McKEE, Chief Judge, and AMBRO and JORDAN, Circuit Judges

                           (Opinion Filed: May 15, 2014)

                                     OPINION

McKEE, Chief Judge,
       Jean Demosthene appeals the District Court’s judgment of sentence for violation

of supervised release. 1 He argues that the District Court’s sentence was substantively

unreasonable. And, he also argues that his sentence was procedurally defective because

the court failed to properly consider the collateral consequences of deportation. For the

reasons that follow, we will affirm the District Court’s decision. 2

                                             I.

       We will first address Demosthene’s claim that the District Court abused its

discretion because it failed to discuss, or even rule on, his request for a lower sentence

based on his immigration status. As the Government notes, that argument was only

briefly made at sentencing and not developed. See Appellee’s Br. at 12. The sentencing

record reflects that Demosthene only argued that he would not be eligible for a halfway

house or get credit for a drug abuse program.

       A District Court “‘need not discuss every argument made by a litigant if an

argument is clearly without merit.’” United States v. Begin, 696 F.3d 405, 412 (3d Cir.

2012) (quoting United States v. Cooper, 437 F.3d 324, 329 (3d Cir. 2006), abrogated by

Rita v. United States, 551 U.S. 338 (2007)). Thus, before we can reach a decision as to

1
  The District Court had jurisdiction by virtue of 18 U.S.C. § 3231, and we have
jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742(a). United States v.
Young, 634 F.3d 233, 237 (3d Cir. 2011)
2
  Although we typically conduct a three-step analysis in evaluating a District Court’s
sentence, United States v. Gunter, 462 F.3d 237, 247 (3d Cir. 2006), Demosthene does
not dispute that the District Court correctly calculated the applicable advisory guidelines
range. Thus, our review is limited to the final two steps. United States v. Young, 634 F.3d
233, 237 (3d Cir. 2011).

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the procedural correctness of the District Court’s decision, we will determine if

Demosthene’s claim that the court improperly ignored the collateral consequences of his

sentence has colorable legal merit.

       Demosthene claims that the court did not consider that his immigration status

made him ineligible for “certain programs in the Bureau of Prisons” as well as “early

release to a halfway house or other community corrections facility.” Opening Brief at 14.

However, these programs are designed for the re-integration of prisoners into society—a

factor that is less applicable to those facing deportation. United States v. Meza-Urtado,

351 F.3d 301, 305 (7th Cir. 2003).

       Demosthene also claims that his sentence was substantively unreasonable. As a

general matter, our review of sentences “is, to a great degree, deferential, because we

recognize that the trial court is in the best position to determine the appropriate sentence.”

United States v. Greenidge, 495 F.3d 85, 102 (3d Cir. 2007). While we do not afford a

within-guideline sentence a presumption of reasonableness, Cooper, 437 F.3d at 332, a

defendant like Demosthene must show on appeal that “no reasonable sentencing court

would have imposed the same sentence on [him] for the reasons the District Court

provided.” United States v. Doe, 617 F.3d 766, 770 (3d Cir. 2010).

       The record reflects that the District Court considered a variety of factors in coming

to its substantive decision of a within-guidelines sentence. Specifically, it noted: (1)

Demosthene had not learned a lesson after seventy months in prison; (2) he was trying to

                                              3
make money illegally3; (3) he went to Miami to make a drug deal and knew full well

what he was doing; (4) he lacked remorse; (5) the similarity between the previous and

current narcotics convictions was disturbing and warranted a consecutive sentence; (6) a

Guidelines sentence would promote respect for the law; (7) a Guidelines sentences would

effectuate the goal of deterrence; and (8) a Guidelines range would protect the public

from further crimes by Demosthene. The court’s consideration of factors required by 18

U.S.C. § 3553(a) was perfectly appropriate, supported by the record, and reflect no abuse

of discretion in arriving at this sentence.

       The District Court’s decision to impose a consecutive as opposed to a concurrent

sentence is also supported by this record, and was eminently reasonable for all of the

reasons the court explained. See U.S.S.G. § 7B1.3(f).

                                              II.
       For the foregoing reasons, the decision of the District Court will be affirmed.

3
  We will ignore this factor since all illegal drug sales, like nearly every other crime,
involve someone who is trying to make money illegally. Thus, relying on this as a
sentencing factor is merely restating that the defendant is guilty of the crime he plead
guilty to.

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