Court Opinion

ID: 178082
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-10-27 13:43:51+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:42:52.238931
License: Public Domain

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION
                           File Name: 10a0657n.06

                                          No. 08-2134                                  FILED
                                                                                    Oct 27, 2010
                          UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS                      LEONARD GREEN, Clerk
                               FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,                        )
                                                 )
       Plaintiff-Appellee,                       )
                                                 )
v.                                               ) ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED
                                                 ) STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
ADELBERT H. WARNER II,                           ) WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
                                                 )
       Defendant-Appellant.                      )
                                                 )
                                                 )

Before: GIBBONS, GRIFFIN, Circuit Judges; and DOWD, District Judge.*

       JULIA SMITH GIBBONS, Circuit Judge. Defendant-appellant Adelbert Warner II

appeals the 360-month sentence imposed by the district court upon Warner’s guilty plea to the

production and distribution of child pornography. Warner challenges the procedural and substantive

reasonableness of the district court’s within-Guidelines sentence.       He also challenges the

reasonableness of certain special conditions of supervised release involving the possibility of

physiological testing.

       For the following reasons, we affirm Warner’s conviction and sentence.

       *
        The Honorable David D. Dowd, United States District Judge for the Northern District of
Ohio, sitting by designation.
No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
                                                 I.

       On September 27, 2007, Warner, a Michigan resident, began a series of explicit internet chats

with an undercover FBI agent who was posing as a fourteen-year-old boy named Colin. Between

September 27 and November 20, 2007, Warner sent the agent via the Internet nude photographs of

minor boys and nude photographs of himself. On October 9, 2007, Warner mailed a package to the

agent containing men’s underwear, a digital camera, camera software, and a compact disc containing

photographs of child pornography and two video clips.

       On February 12, 2008, members of the Michigan State Police and the FBI executed a search

warrant at Warner’s address. After waiving his Miranda rights and agreeing to speak with a police

detective, Warner revealed his criminal conduct in detail. He confessed that he mailed the package

to the undercover agent, possessed pornographic images of prepubescent boys, and emailed some

of the images to other people. Warner then disclosed that he twice had engaged in sexual relations

with a twelve-year-old boy, N.S., whom he knew during a period of time when he lived with N.S.’s

parents. Warner also admitted that he took nude photographs of N.S., who later confirmed these

details when interviewed by detectives. Warner further admitted to taking nude photographs of his

fifteen-year-old step-cousin, M.S. A forensic examination of Warner’s computer showed that he

placed the nude photographs of N.S. and M.S. in a shared folder where they could be accessed by

other peer-to-peer computer users. Warner’s computer contained more than 600 still images and at

least five video clips of child pornography. After detailing his conduct to the agents, Warner wrote

and signed a confession statement.

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No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
       On April 24, 2008, pursuant to a written agreement, Warner pled guilty to a two-count

indictment charging him with the production of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C.

§§ 2251(a) and (e), and distribution of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252A(a)(1)

and (b)(1). The Presentence Report (PSR) calculated Warner’s total offense level at 42 and his

criminal history as category I. This yielded an advisory guideline range of 360 months to life. At

sentencing, Warner objected to the base offense level calculation on the basis of a double counting

argument. The district court resolved the objection in Warner’s favor, resulting in a base offense

level of 40. The district court then applied a three-level increase pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2G2.1(d)(1),

and a three-level decrease for acceptance of responsibility. After applying a criminal history

category of I, the district court calculated an advisory guideline range of 292 to 365 months.

       After hearing from both parties on sentencing, the district court discussed the 18 U.S.C.

§ 3553(a) factors and the mitigating factors raised by defense counsel. The district court then

sentenced Warner to 360 months on count one and 240 months on count two, to be served

concurrently. Warner was also sentenced to supervised release for life, with special conditions that

included participation in sex offender assessment and/or other treatment. The district court stated

that this treatment “may include physiological testing such as plethysmograph and ABEL

assessment.” When asked by the district court if he had “any legal objections to the sentence

imposed,” Warner’s counsel indicated he did not.

                                                  II.

       A sentence is procedurally inadequate if the district court fails to calculate properly the

Guidelines range, treats the Guidelines as mandatory, fails to consider the § 3553(a) factors, selects

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No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
the sentence based upon clearly erroneous facts, or fails to adequately explain the chosen sentence.

Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007); United States v. Houston, 529 F.3d 743, 753 (6th Cir.

2008). While a district court must state its reasons for imposing a particular sentence, see United

States v. Grams, 566 F.3d 683, 686 (6th Cir. 2009) (per curiam), it need not “give the reasons for

rejecting any and all arguments by the parties for alternative sentences.” United States v. Vonner,

516 F.3d 382, 387 (6th Cir. 2008) (en banc); see also United States v. Smith, 510 F.3d 603, 608 (6th

Cir. 2007) (“[A] district court need not explain its reasons for rejecting each argument made by the

defendant.”).

        Where, as here, the defendant did not object to the district court’s explanation of the

§ 3553(a) factors, this court reviews a challenge to the sufficiency of that explanation for plain error.

United States v. Lapsins, 570 F.3d 758, 772 (6th Cir. 2009) (citing Vonner, 516 F.3d at 386). “Under

plain error review, relief is granted only under ‘exceptional circumstances.’” Houston, 529 F.3d at

750 (quoting Vonner, 516 F.3d at 386). The plain error standard requires Warner to show “(1) error

(2) that was ‘obvious or clear,’ (3) that ‘affected defendant’s substantial rights,’ and (4) that ‘affected

the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of the judicial proceedings.’” Vonner, 516 F.3d at 386

(quoting United States v. Gardiner, 463 F.3d 445, 459 (6th Cir. 2006)).

        Warner argues that the district court failed to address and adequately explain its rationale for

rejecting several of his arguments for leniency. He first contends that the district court expressly

declined to address his argument that his cooperation with the government reflects his potential for

rehabilitation. According to Warner, while the district court could and should have considered his

cooperation as a mitigating factor under § 3553(a), it instead stated that it would not consider the

                                                    4
No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
cooperation at all because there had been no U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1 motion filed by the government.

Warner further argues that it was error under United States v. Recla, 560 F.3d 539, 545 (6th Cir.

2009), for the district court to consider the possibility of a later sentence reduction under Federal

Rule Criminal Procedure 35(b) in deciding his sentence.

       In considering these challenges, we begin with the district court’s statements at sentencing.

After hearing from both counsel and Warner, the district court discussed its sentencing rationale

beginning with statements on the advisory nature of the Sentencing Guidelines and the factors to be

considered by the court under § 3553(a). The district court then began a discussion of Warner’s

history and characteristics, describing Warner’s “history of . . . mental health issues,” his lack of a

prior record, his history of sexual abuse as a young child, and the evidence of Warner’s remorse.

The district court continued:

       I also recognize that he proffered with the government. The government has
       chose[n], in its discretion, not to file a [§ 5K1.1] motion. The Court believes that the
       remarks of counsel as it relates to his cooperation with the government are better
       addressed in a Rule 35 [motion] should the government at some time find itself in a
       position to file a Rule 35 as to Mr. Warner. So at this point I am giving that, because
       it is contingent in nature, I am giving that proffer no weight. I will, however,
       consider it should the government find itself in a position to file a Rule 35 at a later
       date.

The district court thereafter described the facts and circumstances of the case, concluding that they

were “egregious in the extreme” due to Warner’s assault and victimization of minors and the

irretrievable placing of images of one of those minors on the Internet. The court then discussed the

remaining factors in § 3553(a) before announcing its sentence.

                                                  5
No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
       A review of the sentencing transcript indicates that Warner’s argument that the district court

“expressly declined to address” his cooperation during its discussion of the § 3553(a) factors is

misplaced. The transcript shows that the district court considered Warner’s cooperation within the

context of its discussion of his history and characteristics and the nature and circumstances of his

offense. Because the district court acknowledged that the government had not filed a § 5K1.1

motion, the district court could have weighed Warner’s cooperation only in its consideration of his

history and characteristics under § 3553(a). Upon a reading of the totality of the transcript, it appears

that the district court considered the cooperation but concluded that it should not affect the sentence

due to its limited usefulness. The use of the word “contingent” simply seems to reflect the court’s

recognition that at some future point the defendant might be deemed to have rendered assistance

sufficient to warrant a government motion. See United States v. Rosenbaum, 585 F.3d 259, 265 (6th

Cir. 2009) (noting that the district court’s use of the word “contingent” under similar circumstances

meant “incomplete” or “not yet . . . sufficiently substantial to warrant a reduction”). Because a

review of the full context of the record indicates that the district court considered Warner’s argument

for leniency based on his cooperation with the government, it did not plainly err.

        Warner next challenges the district court’s sua sponte reference to the possibility of the

government’s filing a Rule 35 motion during its sentencing discussion. Warner contends that

because it is improper for a district court to consider the possibility of a Rule 35(b) sentence

reduction in deciding a sentence pursuant to Recla, 560 F.3d at 545, the district court’s “refus[al] to

consider defendant’s argument of cooperation until a possible Rule 35(b) motion [might be] filed”

                                                   6
No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
was error. He further argues that the district court improperly blurred the distinction between

considering past cooperation under § 3553(a) and post-sentencing cooperation under Rule 35(b).

       In Recla, this court stated that “sentencing courts cannot consider the potential for a future

sentence reduction in imposing sentence” even where the government had not filed a U.S.S.G.

§ 5K1.1 motion. 560 F.3d at 545. Therefore, if “the district court . . . consider[s] the government’s

intention to file a Rule 35(b) motion in imposing sentence—by, for example, imposing a higher

sentence than it would have in the absence of the government’s stated intention—[a defendant’s]

sentence is unreasonable, and we must remand for sentencing.” Id. at 546. The “mere mention of

possible future cooperation or the possibility of filing a Rule 35 motion alone will not invalidate the

district court’s” sentencing determination. Rosenbaum, 585 F.3d at 265 (quoting United States v.

Ridge, 329 F.3d 535, 542 (6th Cir. 2003)). Rather, this court “must review the sentencing transcript

and the context of the record to determine if the prospect of a future Rule 35(b) motion ‘altered or

influenced’ the sentencing judge’s” decision making on sentencing. Id. (quoting Ridge, 329 F.3d

at 542); see Recla, 560 F.3d at 546–47 (remanding because the “record [was] ambiguous as to

whether, in imposing sentence, the district court considered the government’s intention to file” a

Rule 35(b) motion).

       Recla and Rosenbaum make clear that the concern they address is that an original sentence

might be determined by the possibility that the court could have a later opportunity to reduce it.

Here, while the district court mentioned the possibility of a Rule 35(b) motion, there is no indication

that this belief influenced the district court’s sentencing rationale. See Rosenbaum, 585 F.3d at 266;

United States v. Carlton, 356 F. App’x 864, 870 (6th Cir. 2009) (unpublished opinion). The district

                                                  7
No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
court raised the possibility of a Rule 35(b) motion sua sponte, presumably to signify to Warner that

future cooperation with tangible results to the government would be considered by the court if raised

on motion by the government.1 There is no evidence that “the speculative prospect of a future

motion by the government” altered or influenced the district court’s sentencing deliberations in this

case. Id. Taken in the full context of the parties’ sentencing arguments and the language’s

placement within district court’s § 3553(a) discussion, the district court’s Rule 35 language is most

properly viewed “merely [as] a statement to [Warner] that there was a mechanism for further

sentence reduction, not an indication that the district court was trying to preserve any portion of its

discretion . . . until after sentencing.” Id.; see also Ridge, 329 F.3d at 542. The district court

therefore did not plainly err in referring to the possibility of a future Rule 35(b) motion.

       Warner next argues that the district court did not sufficiently explain its consideration of his

other mitigating arguments, including his extreme remorse, mental health issues, and the sexual

abuse he suffered as a child. Warner contends that it is not clear whether the court accepted or

rejected his arguments or how they were taken into consideration. The district court, however, “need

not explain its reasons for rejecting each argument made by a defendant.” Smith, 510 F.3d at 608.

Where, as here, “the district court agrees with the Sentencing Commission’s recommendations . . .

the question is whether the record makes clear that the sentencing judge listened to each argument,

considered the supporting evidence, was fully aware of the defendant’s circumstances and took them

       1
          Warner suggests that the district court stated that it would consider his presentence co-
operation in connection with a Rule 35(b) motion. Although Warner is correct that the granting of
a Rule 35(b) motion is based on post-sentencing co-operation, we see no reason to suppose that the
district court was unaware of that. The district court’s comments more likely refer to considering
any Rule 35 motion at a later time, rather than considering the presentence proffer later.

                                                  8
No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
into account in sentencing him.” Vonner, 516 F.3d at 387 (citing Rita v. United States, 551 U.S. 338,

356 (2007)) (internal citations and quotation marks omitted). Warner concedes that the district court

acknowledged his mitigation arguments, and indeed the record reflects the district court’s express

consideration of each mitigating factor proffered by Warner. On this record, the district court did

not plainly err. Vonner, 516 F.3d at 388.

        Finally, Warner challenges the district court’s failure to explain its conclusion that he has a

high risk of recidivism. According to Warner, neither the government nor the district court cited any

studies or statistics showing that there is a high rate of recidivism among those convicted of sexual

crimes against children, nor stated why Warner personally would have a high risk of recidivism.

Warner cites to several studies—not presented to the district court—that purport to demonstrate a

low rate of recidivism among sex offenders. He argues that these studies belie the district court’s

conclusion on recidivism, and the district court’s failure to explain its rationale on his recidivism risk

and failure to address the other mitigating arguments as they relate to recidivism deprived Warner

of a procedurally reasonable sentence.

        A district court “need not describe in detail or list all of the documents or other evidence it

considered during sentencing.” United States v. Gale, 468 F.3d 929, 941 (6th Cir. 2006). This court

therefore presumes, “without some affirmative indication in the record to the contrary . . . that a

district court has reviewed the evidence provided to it.” Id. Here, the district court concluded,

“based on [its] review of the entire record, that Mr. Warner [was] a significant risk to recidivate.”

This followed the district court’s statement that it believed Warner needed “concentrated and

hopefully effective sex offender therapy” and that “Warner was apprehended before there were more

                                                    9
No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
victims.” The record therefore demonstrates that the district court considered the issue of recidivism

and explained its view that, based upon the specific evidence from the case before it, Warner posed

a risk of recidivism. And because Warner did not object to the district court’s explanation at the

time of sentencing, the district court was not able to correct any deficiency in its explanation “on the

spot.” Vonner, 516 F.3d at 385 (citing United States v. Bostic, 371 F.3d 865, 873 (6th Cir. 2004)).

Based on this record, the district court did plainly err.

                                                  III.

        A procedurally reasonable sentence is reviewed for substantive reasonableness under an

abuse of discretion standard. Gall, 552 U.S. at 51. A “sentence may be substantively unreasonable

‘when the district court selects the sentence arbitrarily, bases the sentence on impermissible factors,

fails to consider pertinent [18 U.S.C.] § 3553(a) factors, or gives an unreasonable amount of weight

to any pertinent factor.’” United States v. Borho, 485 F.3d 904, 908 (6th Cir. 2007) (quoting United

States v. Collington, 461 F.3d 805, 808 (6th Cir. 2006)). Where the sentence falls within the

Guidelines range, a presumption of reasonableness applies. Vonner, 516 F.3d at 389.

        Warner’s brief substantive reasonableness challenge contends that his “individual

characteristics speak to the propriety of a lower sentence in this case.” Warner argues that his

criminal history, low risk of recidivism, extreme remorsefulness, and embrace of therapy all counsel

a sentence that does not fall at the top of the guideline range and the statutory maximum.

        This type of generalized challenge to the district court’s weighing of § 3553(a) factors cannot

overcome the presumption of reasonableness. Houston, 529 F.3d at 756. As discussed above, the

district court considered and balanced the mitigating facts cited by Warner with the “egregious” facts

                                                  10
No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
and circumstances of the case, including Warner’s assault and victimization of minors and the

irretrievable placing of images of one of those minors on the internet. The record does not reflect

that the district court arbitrarily selected a sentence or relied too heavily on any one factor. “The fact

that the district court did not give the defendant the exact sentence he sought is not a cognizable

basis to appeal, particularly where the district court followed the mandate of section 3553(a) in all

relevant respects.” United States v. Jackson, 466 F.3d 537, 540 (6th Cir. 2006). Because the district

court adequately considered the factors set forth in § 3553(a) and imposed a sentence within the

applicable Guidelines range, Warner’s sentence was reasonable.

                                                   IV.

        This court generally reviews a district court’s imposition of supervised release conditions for

abuse of discretion. United States v. Carter, 463 F.3d 526, 528 (6th Cir. 2006). Because Warner

was given an opportunity to object to the conditions at sentencing but failed to do so, this court

reviews the imposition of those conditions for plain error. United States v. Kingsley, 241 F.3d 828,

835 (6th Cir. 2001).

        As Warner concedes, this court has previously held that the issues related to the possible use

of a penile plethysmograph on supervised release many years in the future is not ripe for review on

direct appeal. United States v. Lee, 502 F.3d 447, 449–51 (6th Cir. 2007); United States v. Massey,

349 F. App’x 64, 70 (6th Cir. 2009) (unpublished opinion) (concluding that because it would be

“mere conjecture for this Court to try to define the parameters of Massey’s future supervised-release

conditions,” a challenge to the optional use of a plethysmograph or an ABEL assessment following

                                                   11
No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
a 360-month sentence was not ripe for review). Because Warner’s challenge to the possible use of

a penile plethysmograph and an ABEL assessment is foreclosed by Lee, we decline to consider it.

                                              V.

       For the foregoing reasons, we affirm Warner’s conviction and sentence.

                                              12
No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
DOWD, Dissenting

       The district court, facing a spread of 73 months within the guideline range of 292 months to

365 months, chose a sentence of 360 months with a limited explanation as to why he advanced 68

months beyond the minimum in imposing a 360 month sentence on a 37 year old defendant who

timely admitted his conduct, apparently attempted to cooperate with the government, and who had

no prior criminal record.

       The United States Sentencing Commission published The History of Child Pornography

Guidelines in October, 2009. The report indicates that since their introduction in 1987, the child

pornography have undergone nine amendments, each time resulting in significantly increased

guideline ranges and available enhancements. The report further indicates that sentences under

U.S.S.G. § 2G2.2 have had a high and increasing rate of downward departures and below-guidelines

variances. Specifically, footnote 33 in The History states:

       In fiscal year 2008, for offenders sentenced under §2G2.2, the non-government
       sponsored below-guideline rate was 35.7 percent, the government sponsored below-
       guideline rate was 8.5 percent, and the above-guideline rate was 2.0 percent. 2008
       Sourcebook, Table 28. By comparison, for all offenders, the non-government
       sponsored below-guideline rate was 13.4 percent, the government sponsored below-
       guideline rate was 25.6 percent, and the above-guideline rate was 1.5 percent. 2008
       Sourcebook, Table N. In fiscal year 2007, for offenders sentenced under §2G2.2, the
       non-government sponsored below-guideline rate was 27.2 percent, the government
       sponsored below-guideline rate was 7.0 percent, and the above-guideline rate was 2.4
       percent. 2007 Sourcebook Table 28. By comparison, for all offenders, the non-
       government sponsored below-guideline rate was 12.0 percent, the government
       sponsored below-guideline rate was 25.6 percent, and the above-guideline rate was
       1.5 percent. 2007 Sourcebook, Table N.

       A review of child pornography sentencing decisions in the Sixth Circuit supports the

conclusions reached in footnote 33. As an example, in United States v. Cherry, 487 F.3d 366 (6th

                                                13
No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
Cir. 2007), the downward variance by the district court to a sentence of 120 months when the

guideline range called for a sentence of 210 to 262 months was affirmed. In the case of United

States v. Stall, 581 F.3d 276 (6th Cir. 2009), the sentence of the district court to one day

incarceration and a ten year period of supervised release was affirmed following the defendant’s

conviction of two counts of child pornography, and in spite of the fact that the sentencing range of

57 to 71 months. In the case of United States v. Stern, 590 F.Supp. 2d 945 (N.D. Ohio 2008), the

district court, faced with a advisory sentencing guidelines range of 46 to 57, imposed a prison

sentence of 12 months and one day. In United States v. Janosko, 355 Fed. Appx. 892, 2009 WL

4609826 (C.A.6 (Ohio)), the district, court faced with a guideline range 210 to 262 months, imposed

a sentence of 180 months. In that case, the defendant unsuccessfully appealed the decision of the

Northern District of Ohio, but once again the district court engaged in a downward variance. Also,

in the case of United States v. Mikowski, 332 Fed. Appx. 250, 2009 WL 1546375 (C.A.6 (Mich.)),

the guideline sentencing range was 262 to 327 months, but the maximum term of imprisonment was

limited to a sentence of 240 months. Against that background, the district court sentenced the

defendant to 192 months which represented a downward variance of 48 months.

       The pivotal decision in Booker for the first time advanced the proposition that the district

court not only had to consider the concept of departures, but also a new concept of variances. The

Booker decision instructed that the district court, before pronouncing sentence, was required to

analyze the sentencing factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). In this case, the defendant had engaged

in pedophile conduct which supported a lengthy sentence.

                                                14
No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
       The district court, at the sentencing hearing, declared in part as follows:

               The defendant has a history of a mental health issues. He has been diagnosed
       with mental health conditions from time to time during his life. He is a person of 37
       years of age, has absolutely no prior record, and tragically was abused himself as a
       young child by a person about ten years his senior. That abuse consisted of sexual
       assault on him. I take Mr. Warner at his word that he is remorseful for his actions
       and very sorry that he has, in essence, passed along to another generation of children
       the victimization that was imposed on him.

               I also recognize that he proffered with the government. The government has
       chose, in its discretion, not to file a 5K motion. The Court believes that the remarks
       of counsel as it relates to his cooperation with the government are better addressed
       in a Rule 35 should the government at some point find itself in a position to file a
       Rule 35 as to Mr. Warner. So at this point I am giving that, because it is contingent
       in nature, I am giving that proffer no weight. I will, however, consider it should the
       government find itself in a position to file a Rule 35 at a later date.

       Then, the district court concluded:

               Needless to say, the facts and circumstances of this case are egregious in the
       extreme. Mr. Warner assaulted a youngster and victimized another youngster by
       sexually assaulting N.S. and placing images of M.S. in cyberspace through the
       internet. As Mr. Kessler appropriately points out, those images cannot be retrieved,
       they will be in cyberspace forever, which is devastating to the victim's family and the
       victim obviously. This is a crime that has victims for a long period of time. The
       Court associates itself with the nature of these types of crimes the statement in United
       vs. Goff case, a Third Circuit case, decided in the year 2007 concerning the breadth
       of victimization of the individual victims and their families when they are victimized
       by child pornography.

               These offenses are very very serious under the law. They involve the
       violation of a youngster who has the protection of the law and deserved to grow up
       without being victimized. I have no doubts that Mr. Warner's crimes have had deep
       psychological effects both on N.S. and M.S. Fortunately, and I believe Mr. Warner
       believes this, fortunately Mr. Warner was apprehended before there were more
       victims, but I am not forgetting the fact that Mr. Warner engaged in the distribution
       of child pornography pictures and images beyond N.S. and M.S., which just
       exacerbates the situation even more.
               ....

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No. 08-2134
United States v. Warner
               The Court finds that a guideline sentence as found by the Court, that is, a
       sentence in the advisory guidelines of 292 to-- 292 to 365 are warranted at the top
       end of the guideline range, and that is going to be the sentence of the Court.

       I respectfully observe that if the defendant had been convicted of the second degree murder

of his pedophile victim (offense level 38) and timely admitted his guilt, he would have been facing

a range of 168 to 235 months assuming a three-level adjustment for acceptance of responsibility.

Yet with the affirmance of his conviction for dealing in child pornography, he will serve 125 months

more than if his criminal conduct had been limited to the second degree murder of his victim.

       The initial purpose driving the adoption of guideline sentencing was to avoid disparate

sentencing for the same type of criminal conduct. Disparate sentencing is now the hallmark of

sentencing decisions involving child pornography. In my view, the district court’s sentencing

opinion fails to justify a sentence at almost the very top of the guideline range given the defendant’s

history. I am unable to concur in the majority opinion even though I acknowledge the deference

extended to the district court in the majority opinion.

                                                  16