Court Opinion

ID: 9412549
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-07-31 19:00:34.752224+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:41:37.248252
License: Public Domain

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PUBLICATION
                                File Name: 23a0348n.06

                                        Case No. 21-6036

                           UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                                FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT
                                                                                      FILED
                                                )                                Jul 31, 2023
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,                                                  DEBORAH S. HUNT, Clerk
                                                )
        Plaintiff - Appellee,                   )
                                                )
        v.                                            ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED
                                                )
                                                      STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
                                                )
 JORGE SANTO CABALLERO-MELGAR,                        WESTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
                                                )
        Defendant - Appellant.                  )
                                                      OPINION
                                                )
                                                )

Before: BOGGS, GIBBONS, and McKEAGUE, Circuit Judges.

       JULIA SMITH GIBBONS, Circuit Judge. Jorge Santo Caballero-Melgar (“Caballero-

Melgar”) was convicted of one count of illegal reentry after deportation and four counts related to

a series of armed robberies, including one that resulted in death. He was sentenced to 460 months’

imprisonment. On appeal, Caballero-Melgar asserts errors in the trial proceedings, his conviction,

and his sentence. He alleges insufficiency of the evidence, improper joinder, an error in the jury

instructions, violation of his Sixth Amendment speedy trial right, improper denial of his motion

for new counsel, and the procedural unreasonableness of his sentence. Because Caballero-Melgar

fails to show any error, we affirm.

                                                I.

       From December 23, 2016, through September 2, 2017, a series of fifteen armed robberies

took place across Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Indiana. Caballero-Melgar was
No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

involved in fourteen of the robberies. Only the March 17, 2017 robbery of the La Placita grocery

store in Bowling Green, Kentucky requires further detail here.

       On the afternoon of March 17, 2017, three Honduran men—Caballero-Melgar, Jose Adan

Mejia Varela (“Varela”), and Jonny Reyes-Martinez (“Reyes-Martinez”)—arrived in Bowling

Green. Reyes-Martinez testified that Caballero-Melgar had the idea to rob the La Placita grocery

store. Caballero-Melgar knew both men because he had assisted Reyes-Martinez, a childhood

friend, in coming to the United States earlier that year, and he had met Varela through Varela’s

brother.

       The three men met in a Wal-Mart parking lot, where Caballero-Melgar gave Varela and

Reyes-Martinez guns to use in the robbery. The pistol given to Reyes-Martinez was unloaded, but

Caballero-Melgar had extra bullets in his car. According to Reyes-Martinez, it was Caballero-

Melgar’s idea to have a loaded firearm with which to “react” in case people in the store had

weapons or the police arrived. DE 592, Trial Tr., Page ID 3427. The three men left the parking

lot to drive to La Placita, and Caballero-Melgar stationed himself as lookout at a nearby gas station.

       About an hour before the robbery, the wives of Caballero-Melgar and Varela both made

money transfers at La Placita. After they drove away, Caballero-Melgar entered the store, made

two money transfers, and walked out about thirty minutes before the robbery would occur.

       Around 3 p.m., Reyes-Martinez and Varela entered the La Placita grocery store, locking

the door behind them. Reyes-Martinez carried two phones, being on the line with Caballero-

Melgar on one. The two men moved the employees near the cash register and bound them with

duct tape. The son and daughter of one La Placita employee were in the store; the son was waiting

for his father to pick him up.

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

        After Reyes-Martinez and Varela found the money, one of the employees’ phones started

ringing. The men panicked and headed for the exit. As they unlocked the door to leave, the

employee shouted that they were being robbed and a man who was waiting at the door to get in—

Jose Cruz, the father of the employee’s son—entered and heard the cries of the employees. Varela

exited, but Reyes-Martinez and Cruz struggled. Varela re-entered the store to help Reyes-

Martinez. During the struggle, Reyes-Martinez shot Cruz. Cruz died from the injury.

        Reyes-Martinez and Varela ran out of the store to Reyes-Martinez’s car and quickly left

Bowling Green. When they returned to Madison, Tennessee, they met Caballero-Melgar in a

Home Depot parking lot to split the money evenly. Reyes-Martinez testified that he and Varela

returned the firearms used in the robbery to Caballero-Melgar, who later told Reyes-Martinez that

he had shipped them back to Honduras.

        The last of the robberies took place in September 2017 at the Mercadito La Luz, located in

Snow Hill, North Carolina. All of the individuals who robbed the store—Varela, Elvin Sanchez,

Junior Bueso, Jose Cedillo-Salles, and Jaime Cedillo-Sales—left in one car. Caballero-Melgar

had acted as a lookout and called the men to make them aware that the police were pursuing them,

but they were all arrested. Caballero-Melgar was arrested a few days later on a warrant issued in

an unrelated case and remained in custody subject to an extradition warrant until federal charges

were issued in this litigation.

        In November 2017, a grand jury indicted Caballero-Melgar and his co-conspirators on one

count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a), (b)(1), and

(b)(3), and one count of murder through the use of a firearm during a crime of violence, in violation

of 18 U.S.C. § 924(j). The government sought approval from the Department of Justice to proceed

with a death penalty specification.

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

       In February 2019, a superseding indictment was filed. It charged Caballero-Melgar with

conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a) (Count 1); conspiracy to use or

carry a firearm during and in relation to robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) and (o) (Count 2); aiding and

abetting the interference with commerce by robbery with actual or threatened force, 18 U.S.C.

§§ 1951 and 2 (Count 3); murder through use of a firearm during a crime of violence, 18 U.S.C.

§ 924(c) and (j)(1) (Count 4); and illegal reentry after deportation, 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5)(A) and

924(a)(2) (Count 5). Count 3 and Count 4 were both based on the La Placita robbery.

       That same month, Caballero-Melgar, acting pro se, wrote to the district court and requested

the replacement of his counsel. He stated that he had met with his counsel only once since his

detention and that his counsel had not answered any of his numerous calls. Before the scheduled

hearing on the motion, Caballero-Melgar’s appointed counsel, Bryce Caldwell, responded that he

and his co-counsel, Jeffrey Darling, had met with Caballero-Melgar, who no longer desired to

remove them as counsel. At the hearing, Caballero-Melgar confirmed this interaction and his

intent to maintain his current counsel. The district court ordered the sealed motion withdrawn.

       In May 2019, the government notified the district court that it failed to obtain approval to

seek the death penalty. More months passed, and Caballero-Melgar again wrote the district court

a pro se letter in October 2019. He informed the district court that he had not received discovery

from counsel, asserted that he was being held in violation of his speedy trial rights, and asked for

release or return to Honduras. At the subsequent hearing, Caldwell informed the district court that

he and Darling had not spoken with Caballero-Melgar since receiving his letter. Caldwell

explained that he and Darling had reviewed the discovery related to the original indictment with

Caballero-Melgar but had not received discovery related to the superseding indictment. He also

stated that he and Darling had not investigated Caballero-Melgar’s claims about inaccurate

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

interview translations but were considering funding sources to do so. Aside from a language

barrier, however, Caldwell had no issues representing Caballero-Melgar.

       Caballero-Melgar then addressed the court. He stated that he did not “really have a

complaint about [his counsel]” but that “the only reason [he] wrote to [the court] [was] to see if

[the court] could help [him] in doing something so that the case could go along quicker.” DE 611,

Sealed Hearing Tr., Page ID 3730.         Considering Caballero-Melgar’s complaints as simply

“frustration that we all feel” related to the discovery delays, id. at Page ID 3732, the district court

urged counsel to contact the prosecution to express that frustration, reminded Caballero-Melgar

that pro se motions unrelated to his representation could not be considered by the court, and denied

the motion as moot.

       COVID-19 delayed Caballero-Melgar’s proceedings from March 2020 to September 14,

2020.1 Caballero-Melgar then moved to continue his trial date from October 13, 2020, which the

court granted, rescheduling trial for February 16, 2021. A general court order then cancelled all

jury trials through February 26, 2021, so the district court rescheduled trial for April 27, 2021.

       On April 9, 2021, Caballero-Melgar filed a pro se motion requesting that his counsel move

to dismiss Counts 2 and 4 of the superseding indictment. The district court did not consider the

motion, as it did not relate to Caballero-Melgar’s representation. But two weeks later—nine days

before trial—the court held a telephonic conference about the motion at the request of Caballero-

Melgar’s counsel.

       Caballero-Melgar’s counsel described how their relationship with him had grown “kind of

contentious” over a few issues, mainly related to Caballero-Melgar’s request to move to dismiss

1
  These delays were excluded from the time allowed for a speedy trial pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
§ 3161(h)(7)(A), (B)(i), and (B)(ii).
                                                 -5-
No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

certain counts of the superseding indictment, which counsel believed would be a frivolous filing.

DE 606, Tr., Page ID 3629-30. Other issues between Caballero-Melgar and his counsel were

discussed, such as Caballero-Melgar’s trial attire, possible assistance by a jailhouse lawyer with

Caballero-Melgar’s pro se filings, and his dissatisfaction with the government’s plea offer. It was

decided that defense counsel would move for a new attorney, a motion that they filed that day.

       The court held an ex parte hearing on the filed motion on April 23, 2021. During the

hearing, Caballero-Melgar stated that he decided to change counsel “because [he and his counsel]

[were] not understanding each other,” illustrated by his counsel’s refusal to file the motion and

Caballero-Melgar’s incomplete access to discovery. DE 587, Sealed Tr. Mot. Hearing, Page ID

2801. But Caldwell rejected the notion that Caballero-Melgar had not been provided discovery

and emphasized the visits he and Darling made to Caballero-Melgar in detention, although he

conceded that there were certain limitations on their visits due to the necessity of an interpreter.

Darling explained that Caballero-Melgar’s frustration also arose from the government’s plea offer

for him relative to what was offered to Reyes-Martinez, but that there were no direct issues about

their preparation for Caballero-Melgar’s own trial.

       The court explained to Caballero-Melgar that his counsel were bound to present all

defenses but were “not to file motions . . . that clearly are not well supported . . . by the law or an

extension of the law.” DE 587, Sealed Tr. Mot. Hearing, Page ID 2799. It also explained that

Caballero-Melgar’s counsel could not control the government’s plea offer and reiterated the

government’s plan to seek life imprisonment if Caballero-Melgar were found guilty at trial. After

affirming that he understood the above, Caballero-Melgar maintained his request for new counsel.

The district court concluded that reassignment of counsel was not warranted after balancing the

                                                 -6-
No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

factors established in United States v. Mack, 258 F.3d 548, 556 (6th Cir. 2001), and denied the

motion.

       Trial proceeded on April 27, 2021. Five co-conspirators, including Reyes-Martinez,

testified against Caballero-Melgar, and the government introduced forensic evidence of Caballero-

Melgar’s phone location in proximity to each robbery and surveillance video showing him in

certain store locations before the robberies took place. The government also introduced evidence

that Caballero-Melgar had re-entered the country without permission after being deported.

       During the final jury instruction conference, defense counsel proposed a Pinkerton

instruction for Count 4, to which the government objected. In response, the district court added a

fifth element to its instruction about Count 4 that was “distilled from the form Pinkerton

instruction.” DE 594, Trial Tr., Page ID 3501. Defense counsel agreed that the modification was

appropriate, and the government withdrew its objection. The modified instruction was given as

follows:

       [T]hat in the course of the crime, the defendant or another person caused the death
       of J.C. by murder through the use of the firearm; and Fifth, that murder through use
       of the firearm was reasonably foreseeable to the defendant, meaning the defendant
       could have reasonably anticipated the murder as a natural consequence of the
       robbery.

Id. at Page ID 3525.

       Caballero-Melgar was convicted on all counts and sentenced to 460 months’ incarceration.

This appeal followed.

                                               II.

       Caballero-Melgar challenges the jury instructions regarding Count 4 of the superseding

indictment and the sufficiency of the evidence underlying that count. He also argues that the

district court erred by denying his motion for new counsel and improperly allowed the joinder of

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

Count 5, illegal reentry, with the other four counts. Finally, he argues that the delay in the

proceedings violated his Sixth Amendment speedy trial right and that his sentence was

procedurally unreasonable. We review each argument in turn.

   A. Jury Instruction

       Caballero-Melgar first argues that the district court erred by denying defense counsel’s

request for the Sixth Circuit pattern Pinkerton instruction.       The government responds that

Caballero-Melgar either waived the alleged error, thus barring review, or invited the error, and

therefore must satisfy plain error review if demanded by the interests of justice.

       “[W]aiver is the ‘intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known right.’” United

States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 733 (1993) (quoting Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464 (1938)).

Because waiver “‘extinguishes an error under Rule 52(B),’ . . . we cannot review the supposed

error at all.” United States v. Montgomery, 998 F.3d 693, 697 (6th Cir. 2021) (quoting Olano, 507

U.S. at 733). Waiving an issue requires “a plain, explicit concession on the record addressing the

precise issue later raised on appeal.” United States v. Clark, 24 F.4th 565, 578 (6th Cir. 2022)

(quoting United States v. Mabee, 765 F.3d 666, 673 (6th Cir. 2014)). We have found waiver after

a defendant “agree[d] in open court with a judge’s proposed course of conduct.” United States v.

Hall, 373 F. App’x 588, 592 (6th Cir. 2010) (citations omitted); see also United States v. Abdi,

827 F. App’x 499, 506 (6th Cir. 2020) (finding waiver after defendant conceded issue in open

court and changed position only on appeal).

       The record shows that Caballero-Melgar’s counsel waived his challenge to the Pinkerton

instruction, barring appellate review. At the final jury instruction conference, defense counsel

requested that the Sixth Circuit pattern Pinkerton instruction be given in relation to Count 4. The

government objected, noting that the aiding and abetting instruction was sufficient to explain the

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

mens rea for conviction. Ultimately, the district court revised its instruction by adding “a fifth

element, which is distilled from the form Pinkerton instruction,” to the Count 4 instruction.

DE 594, Trial Tr., Page ID 3501. When asked by the district court whether defense counsel agreed

that the court’s modification “incorporate[d] the Pinkerton concept,” Darling stated “[y]es . . . I

think that’s appropriate based on [our] request.” DE 594, Trial Tr, Page ID 3501. By agreeing to

the modified instruction even though it did not incorporate every element of the Sixth Circuit

pattern instruction regarding Pinkerton liability, defense counsel waived the ability to raise the

issue of the instruction’s completeness on appeal. We cannot review the waived claim. Olano,

507 U.S. at 733.

       Even if Caballero-Melgar’s counsel’s actions sat “on the hazy border between invited error

and waiver[,]” Montgomery, 998 F.3d at 698, Caballero-Melgar never responds to the

government’s alternative argument of invited error. In this circumstance, we cannot find that the

“interests of justice” demand our review such that failing to do so would result in manifest

injustice. See id. at 698-99; see also United States v. Howard, 947 F.3d 936, 945 (6th Cir. 2020).

   B. Sufficiency of the Evidence

       Caballero-Melgar next challenges the sufficiency of the evidence underlying his conviction

for Count 4, which we review de novo. United States v. Hall, 20 F.4th 1085, 1105 (6th Cir. 2022).

When analyzing this issue, we do “not weigh the evidence, consider the credibility of witnesses or

substitute our judgment for that of the jury.” United States v. Hilliard, 11 F.3d 618, 620 (6th Cir.

1993). A jury verdict is upheld if, “after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the

prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond

a reasonable doubt.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979).

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

        Count 4 charged Caballero-Melgar with causing Cruz’s death through the use of a firearm

during a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) and (j). “Section 924(j) makes it a

crime to cause the death of another while committing a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), using or

carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking.” United States v. Al-Din,

631 F. App’x 313, 329 (6th Cir. 2015). The underlying crime of violence was Count 3: aiding and

abetting in the La Placita robbery.

        To find Caballero-Melgar guilty of violating § 924(j), the jury had to find that the

government proved the following beyond a reasonable doubt: first, that he aided and abetted in the

commission of the La Placita robbery; second, that Caballero-Melgar or another person knowingly

used a firearm; third, that the use of the firearm was during and in relation to the La Placita robbery;

and fourth, that Caballero-Melgar or another person caused the death of Cruz as a result of that

use. See United States v. Wilson, 579 F. App’x 338, 348 (6th Cir. 2014) (stating elements). An

aiding and abetting theory of liability is “embodied in every federal indictment, whether

specifically charged or not.” United States v. McGee, 529 F.3d 691, 695 (6th Cir. 2008) (citation

omitted).

        In his sufficiency challenge, Caballero-Melgar does not directly dispute that the

government provided sufficient proof to satisfy the above elements. Rather, he argues only that

the government fails to present evidence sufficient to convict Caballero-Melgar under a theory of

Pinkerton liability, and that it cannot rely on an aiding and abetting theory because aiding and

abetting was not charged in the indictment.

        The government responds that it “did not rely on, and the jury did not have to find,

Pinkerton liability” to find Caballero-Melgar liable for Cruz’s death. CA6 R. 42, Appellee Br. at

54. It argues that the aiding and abetting theory of liability does apply because Caballero-Melgar

                                                 - 10 -
No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

was convicted for aiding and abetting in Count 3, the underlying crime of violence, and that it was

reasonably foreseeable that a death could occur during the robbery. In any case, the government

contends that it sufficiently presented evidence to establish that Caballero-Melgar caused the

shooting under two different liability theories.

       To begin, Caballero-Melgar’s argument fails under our holding in McGee that an aiding

and abetting theory need not be explicitly charged in a federal indictment. McGee, 529 F.3d at

695. Further, there is no dispute that Caballero-Melgar is guilty of Count 3, aiding and abetting in

the La Placita robbery. Caballero-Melgar also does not dispute that Reyes-Martinez caused Cruz’s

death through use of a firearm during that robbery. As Caballero-Melgar aided and abetted in the

La Placita robbery that caused the death of Mr. Cruz, the evidence is sufficient to convict

Caballero-Melgar of Count 4. Whether Caballero-Melgar was liable for Cruz’s death under

Pinkerton2 is beside the point, and we do not review Caballero-Melgar’s culpability under

Pinkerton because it is unnecessary to uphold the conviction.

    C. Replacement of Counsel

       Caballero-Melgar next assigns error to the district court’s denial of his motion for new

counsel. Under the Sixth Amendment, an accused person in all criminal prosecutions is afforded

the right to the assistance of counsel for their defense. United States v. Johnson, 24 F.4th 590, 599

(6th Cir. 2022). A defendant’s right to choice of counsel, however, is limited, meaning that

defendants do not have unrestricted “ability to substitute their appointed counsel.” United States

v. Steele, 919 F.3d 965, 973 (6th Cir. 2019).

2
  The jury instructions pertaining to “reasonable foreseeability” are of no matter, as reasonable
foreseeability need not be satisfied to prove that Caballero-Melgar was guilty of Count 4 under the
statutory provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) and (c).
                                                - 11 -
No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

           A limited ability to substitute appointed counsel does not preclude defendants from

expressing dissatisfaction with appointed counsel and obtaining relief. When a defendant “brings

‘any serious dissatisfaction with counsel to the attention of the district court,’ the court has an

obligation to inquire into the source and nature of the dissatisfaction and may grant a motion to

withdraw or for substitute counsel if there is a showing of good cause.” United States v. Powell,

847 F.3d 760, 778 (6th Cir. 2017) (quoting Benitez v. United States, 521 F.3d 625, 632 (6th Cir.

2008)). A district court’s “good cause” determination, as was made here, is reviewed for abuse of

discretion. United States v. Carson, 796 F. App’x 238, 242 (6th Cir. 2019).

           When reviewing a district court’s denial of a motion to substitute counsel, we consider four

factors:

           (1) the timeliness of the motion, (2) the adequacy of the court’s inquiry into the matter,
           (3) the extent of the conflict between the attorney and client and whether it was so great
           that it resulted in a total lack of communication preventing an adequate defense, and
           (4) balancing the factors with the public’s interest in the prompt and efficient
           administration of justice.

Steele, 919 F.3d at 973 (quoting Mack, 283 F.3d at 556). Caballero-Melgar argues that the district

court erred by weighing the Mack factors in the government’s favor. We review each factor.

           1. Timeliness

           Caballero-Melgar contends that timeliness weighs in his favor because he asked for his

counsel’s removal three times, the earliest of which was a year and a half before trial. The

government counters that Caballero-Melgar’s only relevant request for removal was made nine

days before trial, so the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding that this motion

“appear[ed] to be made to delay the trial,” DE 508, Order, Page ID 2378, and reassignment was

thus disfavored.

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

       We agree with the government. Although Caballero-Melgar requested the replacement of

his counsel in February 2019, the district court ordered that request withdrawn after holding a

hearing in which Caballero-Melgar stated his intent to maintain his current counsel.          And

Caballero-Melgar himself characterized his second request as a desire to expedite the discovery

process and litigation, not to complain about counsel. Thus, Caballero-Melgar’s April 2021

motion to appoint new counsel is the only relevant motion. Considering that the motion was filed

days before trial, this factor weighs against reassignment.

       2. Adequacy of the Court’s Inquiry

       Caballero-Melgar argued that the district court did not adequately inquire into the dispute

between him and his counsel. He provides specific instances of inadequacy, including the district

court’s failure to consult about the communication issues that were to COVID restrictions; its

failure to discuss Caballero-Melgar’s concerns about a plea offer, arguably because it hoped that

he would simply take a plea; and its failure to clarify counsel’s concession that there were other

undisclosed matters, outside of legal strategy, that soured their relationship.

       The district court’s inquiry into the dispute should “give the defendant the opportunity to

explain the basis for his dissatisfaction with counsel and to establish good cause for the

appointment of substitute counsel.” United States v. Whitfield, 259 F. App’x 830, 834 (6th Cir.

2008) (per curiam). We have found that courts that personally invite defendants to express their

dissatisfaction, and that invite responses from defense counsel to such allegations, have satisfied

this factor. See, e.g., United States v. Chambers, 441 F.3d 438, 447 (6th Cir. 2006) (inquiry

adequate where defendant invited to explain alleged conflict and counsel was given opportunity to

respond); see also United States v. Jennings, 945 F.2d 129, 132 (6th Cir. 1991) (remanding for

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

“the district court to personally inquire from each defendant his reasons for dissatisfaction with

counsel”).

       In the motion hearing, the district court explained to Caballero-Melgar why it believed that

his pro se motion was meritless. It then invited Caballero-Melgar to explain his other concerns—

to which Caballero-Melgar primarily complained about inadequate access to discovery—and

invited defense counsel to respond. In response to other issues highlighted by counsel, the district

court told Caballero-Melgar that his counsel could not control the government’s plea offer and

reiterated that the government planned to seek life imprisonment if Caballero-Melgar were found

guilty. It asked Caballero-Melgar, “is there anything else, Mr. Caballero-Melgar, that . . . you

think I should know with respect to your request to have a new attorney appointed?” DE 587,

Sealed Tr., Page ID 2807-08. Caballero-Melgar responded “No,” and maintained his request for

a new attorney who could “help [him] better.” Id. at Page ID 2808.

       By giving Caballero-Melgar and his counsel multiple opportunities to address their issues,

the district court’s inquiry was adequate. Caballero-Melgar’s complaints on appeal touch on issues

that were not raised before the district court by Caballero-Melgar, including COVID restrictions

or references to other “undisclosed” matters without indication of what those might be. And the

record belies his assertions that the district court avoided Caballero-Melgar’s concerns with a plea

offer, as the district court raised such concerns and provided Caballero-Melgar with a subsequent

opportunity to speak about any remaining concerns.

       3. Breakdown in Communication

       Caballero-Melgar argues that the complete breakdown in communication with his counsel

started long before the motion for new counsel at issue and persisted throughout his trial. He

asserts that counsel decided not to communicate with him before the hearing on his November

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

2019 letter and took no steps to investigate his complaint about inaccurate translations. He also

points to counsel’s admission in the June 2021 hearing that there were significant communications

issues, including about discovery review and pretrial motions. Finally, he argues that counsel’s

inability to mount an adequate defense was reflected in their failure to substantially cross-examine

multiple important witnesses, their waiver of an opening statement, and their admission during

closing that Caballero-Melgar acted as a lookout for the robberies.

       But all of these matters raised by Caballero-Melgar on appeal are ancillary to the primary

issue that he raised in his motion for new counsel: that counsel would not file the motion to dismiss

counts of the indictment. Caballero-Melgar concedes that there is not a total breakdown of the

attorney-client relationship when counsel is unwilling to pursue the legal strategy sought by a

defendant. See United States v. Trevino, 7 F.4th 414, 429 (6th Cir. 2021).

       The other instances raised by Caballero-Melgar on appeal also do not reflect a total

communication breakdown. For one, Caballero-Melgar withdrew his November 2019 motion and

did not complain about inaccurate translations (an issue initially raised by defense counsel) at any

point thereafter. And the counsel’s trial performance is not at issue here; rather, we are asked to

evaluate the trial court’s exercise of discretion to deny the motion based on the information that

the court had at that time.       Finally, we cannot find that, after listening to both sides’

characterizations of the discovery dispute, the district court unreasonably concluded that the notion

that no discovery was provided to Caballero-Melgar was not “realistic.” DE 587, Mot. Hearing

Tr., at Page ID 2808-09. This factor weighs against appointment of new counsel.

       4. Public Interest

       The last Mack factor requires the court to balance the previous three factors with “the

public’s interest in the prompt and efficient administration of justice.” Trevino, 7 F.4th at 429.

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

Caballero-Melgar argues that the three-and-a-half-year duration of the litigation indicates minimal

public interest in the “prompt” administration of justice. In contrast, the district court reasoned

that the considerable length of the proceedings supported resolving the matter without further

delay. The district court commented that trial preparation had already involved arrangements for

the in-person testimony of witnesses and the presence of Spanish-speaking interpreters for trial.

       We find that the public interest supported moving forward with trial. Although significant

frustration with the delay of trial was merited, it appears that, in his briefing, Caballero-Melgar

simultaneously argues that his speedy trial right was violated by delay and that further delay to

find new counsel was in the public interest. That justice may not have been administered in a

“prompt” manner here does not absolve the court of its obligation to administer justice as

“efficient[ly]” as it could. Id. On balance, we agree with the district court that the Mack factors

disfavored appointment of new counsel and find no abuse of discretion.

   D. Joinder

       Caballero-Melgar next contends that the court erred in allowing a joint trial of his reentry

charges and his Hobbs Act charges. Because Caballero-Melgar raised misjoinder for the first time

on appeal, plain error review applies. United States v. Soto, 794 F.3d 635, 655 (6th Cir. 2015).

We consider whether there is “(1) error (2) that was ‘obvious or clear,’ (3) that ‘affected [the]

defendant’s substantial rights’ and (4) that ‘affected the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of

the judicial proceedings.’” United States v. Igboba, 964 F.3d 501, 508 (6th Cir. 2020) (alteration

in original) (quoting United States v. Donadeo, 910 F.3d 886, 893 (6th Cir. 2018)). As an

“extremely deferential” standard, plain error is found “only in exceptional circumstances, and

solely to avoid a miscarriage of justice.” Id. (quoting Donadeo, 910 F.3d at 893).

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

       Under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 8(a), an indictment may charge multiple crimes

if the crimes “are of the same or similar character, or are based on the same act or transaction, or

are connected with or constitute parts of a common scheme or plan.” Joinder under Rule 8(a) is

permissive, meaning that the rule may be broadly construed to “promote the goals of trial

convenience and judicial efficiency.” United States v. Graham, 275 F.3d 490, 512 (6th Cir. 2001)

(quoting United States v. Wirsing, 719 F.2d 859, 862 (6th Cir. 1983)). It is “appropriate” to join

counts when they are “logically related, and there is a large area of overlapping proof.” Wirsing,

719 F.2d at 863 (citations omitted). To determine whether joinder is appropriate, we consider the

facial allegations included in the indictment, not proof offered at trial. See United States v. Howell,

17 F.4th 673, 686 (6th Cir. 2021). We construe an indictment “in favor of joinder.” United States

v. Chavis, 296 F.3d 450, 456 (6th Cir. 2002) (quoting United States v. Hatcher, 680 F.2d 438, 440

(6th Cir. 1982)).

        Even presuming the joinder here was in error, Caballero-Melgar’s claim of improper

joinder fails because he does not demonstrate that the alleged error affected his “substantial rights.”

Fed. R. Crim. P. 52(b). He must so demonstrate by “mak[ing] a specific showing of prejudice,”

but he has failed to do so. United States v. Fraser, 448 F.3d 833, 842 (6th Cir. 2006) (quoting

Olano, 507 U.S. at 735).

       Caballero-Melgar argues that the mention of a “hot button topic” like unlawful immigration

would significantly impact the jury’s determination of whether he actively participated in the

Hobbs Act robberies. CA6 R. 39, Appellant Br., at 32-33. He also contends that the government’s

emphasis on his immigration status when discussing the Hobbs Act charges in its closing statement

showed prejudice. However, Caballero-Melgar shows no supportive case law or evidence that a

jury determination on these unrelated counts would be impacted by their joinder. We have already

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

concluded that Counts 1 through 4 of the superseding indictment were supported by sufficient

evidence and presume that juries separately consider counts, particularly when the counts do not

involve overlapping evidence. Cf. United States v. Swift, 809 F.2d 320, 323 (6th Cir. 1987).

       Additionally, although Caballero-Melgar claims that the court in United States v. Zapien,

No. 3:14-00037, 2015 WL 2137586 (M.D. Tenn. May 7, 2015) severed an illegal reentry count

from other counts in the indictment in part based on prejudice, Zapien made no comment about

the prejudice of the illegal reentry count. Rather, while reasoning that both an illegal reentry count

and a count of possession by an illegal alien of a firearm were “irrelevant,” the district court stated

that “the gun count, in particular, adds potentially inflammatory allegations.” Zapien, 2015 WL

2137586, at *3 (emphasis added). Thus, because we conclude that there was no prejudice,

Caballero-Melgar cannot show plain error.

   E. Speedy Trial Right

       We turn to Caballero-Melgar’s alleged violation of his Sixth Amendment right to a speedy

trial. The Sixth Amendment guarantees that “[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy

the right to a speedy and public trial.” U.S. Const. amend VI. Caballero-Melgar does not assert

that the government did not comply with the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161, but claims only

a violation of his constitutional speedy trial right. “[W]e have previously held that ‘it will be an

unusual case in which the time limits of the Speedy Trial Act have been met but the Sixth

Amendment right to speedy trial has been violated.’” United States v. O’Dell, 247 F.3d 655, 666–

67 (6th Cir. 2001) (quoting United States v. DeJesus, 887 F.2d 114, 116 (6th Cir. 1989)). We

review this legal issue de novo and the district court’s factual findings for clear error. Id. at 667.

       Courts must balance four factors when determining whether a defendant was denied his

Sixth Amendment speedy trial right: “whether delay before trial was uncommonly long, whether

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

the government or the criminal defendant is more to blame for that delay, whether, in due course,

the defendant asserted his right to a speedy trial, and whether he suffered prejudice as the delay’s

result.” Doggett v. United States, 505 U.S. 647, 651 (1992) (citing Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514,

530 (1972)). These related factors “must be considered together with such other circumstances as

may be relevant.” Barker, 407 U.S. at 533. If the speedy trial right has been violated, “dismissal

of the indictment . . . is the only possible remedy.” Id. at 522. We consider each factor in turn.

       1. Length of the Delay

       “In all Sixth Amendment speedy trial cases, the length of the delay is the triggering

mechanism.” O’Dell, 247 F.3d at 667. Here, the parties agree that the more than three-year delay

before trial sufficiently triggers speedy trial concerns. See United States v. Gardner, 488 F.3d 700,

719 (6th Cir. 2007).

       2. Reason for Delay

       “The flag all litigants seek to capture is the second factor, the reason for delay.” United

States v. Loud Hawk, 474 U.S. 302, 315 (1986). Here, we assess “whether the government or the

criminal defendant is more to blame for [the] delay.” United States v. Schreane, 331 F.3d 548,

554 (6th Cir. 2003) (alteration in original) (quoting Doggett, 505 U.S. at 651). “[D]ifferent weights

should be assigned to different reasons” for delay. Barker, 407 U.S. at 531. A bad-faith motivation

for delay or “attempt[] to seek a tactical advantage” would “weigh heavily against the

government.” Schreane, 331 F.3d at 553. “A more neutral reason such as negligence or

overcrowded courts should be weighted less heavily but nevertheless should be considered. . . .”

Barker, 407 U.S. at 531. But “valid reasons for a delay weigh in favor of the government.” United

States v. Robinson, 455 F.3d 602, 607 (6th Cir. 2006). “The government bears the burden of

explaining the cause of the delay.” United States v. Sutton, 862 F.3d 547, 559 (6th Cir. 2017).

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

       The government argues that any delay attributable to it was justified by a valid reason,

including the complexity of the case and the resolution of the death penalty authorization process.

Additionally, it argues that Caballero-Melgar also caused part of the delay through his pro se

motions and motion for continuance of the trial date. By contrast, Caballero-Melgar contends that

the government was wholly responsible for the two-year and three-month delay in the case before

COVID-19 intervened. He points to delays by the government to pursue the death penalty, to

“work out deals with the co-defendants,” and to provide discovery. CA6 R. 39, Appellant Br., at

28. Caballero-Melgar also downplays the complexity of the case, arguing that it did not merit a

multi-year delay.

       We find it important to note first that nothing in the record suggests—and Caballero-

Melgar does not argue—that any delays in this litigation were motivated by bad faith, harassment,

or the government’s desire to seek tactical advantage. Based on our analysis, while neither party

is completely free of blame for the proceedings or is wholly culpable, this factor lightly favors the

government.

       First, each proffered reason for delay by the government is valid, and none supports a

finding of a constitutional violation. To start, the case was declared complex from the outset,

involving numerous defendants and robberies involved in the charged offenses. United States v.

Bass, 460 F.3d 830, 837 (6th Cir. 2006) (“That the delay was caused by the case’s complexity

favors a finding of no constitutional violation.”). Those complexities, and the large amount of

discovery involved, resulted in delays. But from December 13, 2017, the day that the case was

declared complex, through December 3, 2018, the district court’s status conferences reflect that

defendants’ counsel—a group including Caldwell—continued to request time to prepare and

confer, which motivated the gaps between the case proceedings throughout this period. Although

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

a defendant does not “carry the full burden of his co-defendant’s delays,” Maples v. Stegall, 427

F.3d 1020, 1028 (6th Cir. 2005), Caballero-Melgar does not indicate any instance where his

counsel objected to these requests for more time.

       Additionally, the time needed to decide whether to seek the death penalty is a valid reason

for delay. See, e.g., United States v. Abad, 514 F.3d 271, 274 (2d Cir. 2008) (per curiam); United

States v. Duran-Gomez, 984 F.3d 366, 375–76 (5th Cir. 2020). The district court recalled that this

was likely “the biggest delay” in the litigation. DE 587, Mot. Hearing Tr., Page ID 2808. While

an excessive delay due to this process can disfavor the government, see, e.g., United States v.

Black, 918 F.3d 243, 260–61 (2d Cir. 2019) (finding delay of nearly three years due to a death

penalty authorization process weighed against the government), here, the authorization process

added an additional five-month delay from December 2018 (the end of the additional time

requested by defendants’ counsel) to early May 2019. For a decision of this consequence, this

delay does not weigh against the government. See Duran-Gomez, 984 F.3d at 375 (“Deciding

whether it should seek the death penalty for a defendant is one of the government’s gravest

responsibilities. . . . The path to decision should be proportionately ruminative.”). Finally, the

COVID-19 pandemic was offered by both parties as a justifiable delay and therefore favors neither.

       Caballero-Melgar also contributed to the delay. Defense counsel made multiple requests

for continuances, and Caballero-Melgar specifically moved for (and was granted) a continuance

of his trial date. See United States v. Zabawa, 719 F.3d 555, 563 (6th Cir. 2013) (holding that a

defendant is a cause for delay when he agrees to postpone trial). Additionally, the time involved

in addressing Caballero-Melgar’s pro se letters and motions can be attributed to him. United States

v. Williams, 753 F.3d 626, 633 (6th Cir. 2014) (finding government and district court not

responsible for delay due to “antagonistic relationship” between defendant and appointed counsel).

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

       In sum, there are factors throughout the over three years of Caballero-Melgar’s pre-trial

incarceration that weigh in both directions. However, given the lack of negligence or bad faith by

the government, its valid reasons for delay, and Caballero-Melgar’s requests for continuances, we

find that the scales lightly favor the government on this factor.

       3. Defendant’s Assertion of His Right

       “[T]he defendant’s assertion of his speedy trial right . . . is entitled to strong evidentiary

weight in determining whether the defendant is being deprived of the right.” Williams, 753 F.3d

at 633 (omission in original) (quoting Barker, 407 U.S. at 531-32). No formal motion is required

to preserve a speedy trial right claim. Cf. United States v. Brown, 819 F.3d 800, 822-23 (6th Cir.

2016). We consider Caballero-Melgar’s letter to the court, dated October 23, 2019, his assertion

of the right. But the government challenges this review, arguing that his counsel never filed a

motion to dismiss based on speedy trial grounds and informed the court that he had not discussed

such a motion with Caballero. We weigh this factor only lightly in favor of Caballero-Melgar

because of his pro se letters, while also accounting for the lack of any related motion by his

counsel.

       4. Prejudice

       The fourth Barker factor “requires the defendant to show that substantial prejudice has

resulted from the delay.” Zabawa, 719 F.3d at 563 (quoting Robinson, 455 F.3d at 608). Prejudice

is analyzed through the three interests which the speedy trial right was designed to protect: “(i) to

prevent oppressive pretrial incarceration; (ii) to minimize anxiety and concern of the accused; and

(iii) to limit the possibility that the defense will be impaired.” United States v. Ferreira, 665 F.3d

701, 706 (6th Cir. 2011) (quoting Barker, 407 U.S. at 532). The showing of prejudice must be

made with specificity. United States v. Young, 657 F.3d 408, 418 (6th Cir. 2011).

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

       Caballero-Melgar argues that he was prejudiced by three-and-a-half years of pretrial

detention.   The government responds that Caballero-Melgar “would have been in custody

regardless of this case” due to his unauthorized presence in the United States and the delay to his

deportation due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. CA6 R 42, Appellee Br., at 37 (citing DE 607,

Colloquy Tr. Sent., Page ID 3663; DE 565, PSR, Page ID 2688). In rebuttal, Caballero-Melgar

emphasizes that the government’s justification does not rationalize the pre-COVID period of

pretrial incarceration. Further, even if that harm were insufficient to prove prejudice, Caballero-

Melgar argues that the government’s blameworthiness for inordinate delay presumptively causes

prejudice.

       We cannot find that Caballero-Melgar has established substantial prejudice sufficient to

satisfy this factor. He does not explain how the period of pretrial incarceration before COVID-19

prejudiced him if his non-citizen status would have resulted in pre-deportation detention during

this period as well. See Zabawa, 719 F.3d at 563. And no presumption of prejudice applies to his

claim here because the delays in the case were not attributable to the government’s negligence.

See id. (“The presumption of prejudice only applies, however, when the delay is attributable to the

government’s negligence.”). This factor therefore weighs in favor of the government.

       In sum, after balancing the Barker factors, the first and third favor Caballero-Melgar and

the second and fourth favor the government. Considering them as a whole, however, we find that

Caballero-Melgar’s Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial was not violated. See, e.g., Williams,

753 F.3d at 634 (finding Sixth Amendment claim failed when defendant unable to demonstrate

that delay caused by government’s bad faith or negligence, or that he was prejudiced by delay).

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

   F. Procedural Reasonableness

       Caballero’s next challenge focuses on the procedural reasonableness of his sentence—

specifically, whether the district court applied the Guidelines range correctly. He first assigns error

to the district court’s application of the U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1 leadership enhancement, but the

government argues that Caballero-Melgar waived the issue by agreeing to the application of the

enhancement during his sentencing.

           1. § 3B1.1 Leadership Enhancement

       When a defendant “explicitly agree[s]” to the application of a particular guideline

calculation or enhancement, any challenge to that application on appeal is waived. See United

States v. Aparco-Centeno, 280 F.3d 1084, 1088 (6th Cir. 2002); United States v. Priddy, 808 F.3d

676, 681 (6th Cir. 2015) (“A defendant waives an argument that he does not qualify for a

sentencing enhancement by ‘explicitly agree[ing]’ that he does qualify.”) (quoting Aparco-

Centeno, 280 F.3d at 1088), abrogated on other grounds by United States v. Stitt, 860 F.3d 854

(6th Cir. 2017) (en banc). An explicit agreement occurs when a defendant expresses a “plain,

positive concurrence” with application of the enhancement. Mabee, 765 F.3d at 672. In contrast,

an issue is forfeited when a defendant fails to make a timely assertion of his right and is subject to

plain error review. United States v. Russell, 26 F.4th 371, 374-76 (6th Cir. 2022).

       The leadership enhancement that Caballero-Melgar now challenges was mentioned briefly

by his counsel at sentencing. There, Caldwell argued that the Guidelines’ § 2A1.2 cross-reference

to second degree murder should apply to determine his client’s adjusted offense level, instead of

the § 2A1.1 Guideline for first degree murder. During that argument, Caldwell stated:

       If . . . the Court were to agree to [the application of the § 2A1.2 cross-reference], then the
       base offense level would be a 38. The four-point leadership or enhancement for
       managerial role, I believe, would still apply, which would bring [the offense level] to

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

       a 42. The difference being, instead of being . . . advisory life as any Level 43 offense is, it
       would drop to a 42, which . . . makes the minimum or the bottom end of the guideline 30
       years. The top end would still be life of imprisonment.

DE 607, Sent’g Tr., Page ID 3654 (emphasis added). The district court found that a departure

under § 2A1.2 was not warranted and denied the motion. Caldwell conceded that he “ha[d] no

grounds to object” to the denial. Id. at Page ID 3657.

       In Caballero-Melgar’s view, the above exchange focused solely on the applicability of the

cross reference to U.S.S.G. § 2A1.2. He argues that the context of the counsel’s comments proves

that he did not intentionally waive application of U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1 but simply referenced it in a

hypothetical manner. However, we cannot discount his counsel’s express statement regarding the

leadership enhancement. Caldwell stated that, if the district court agreed to the application of the

§ 2A1.2 cross reference, “[t]he four-point leadership or enhancement . . . I believe, would still

apply.” DE 607, Sent’g Tr., Page ID 3654. In other words, the district court’s position as to the

application of § 2A1.2 would have no impact on the inevitable application of the leadership

enhancement. Rather than remaining neutral as to whether the enhancement applied, counsel

appears to have expressly condoned its application. See, e.g., Aparco–Centeno, 280 F.3d at 1088

(“Not only did Aparco–Centeno not object to the district court’s consideration of the two prior

convictions as aggravated felonies under 8 U.S.C. § 1326, he explicitly agreed that they qualified

as such.”). Given his concession of the enhancement’s applicability, we conclude that Caballero-

Melgar waived this particular argument.

           2. Application of U.S.S.G. § 2A1.1

       Caballero-Melgar next argues that the district court improperly calculated his base offense

level using U.S.S.G. § 2A1.1, reaching a base offense level of 43. In his view, because the murder

of Cruz was not premeditated, the Application Note for § 2A1.1 recommends following U.S.S.G.

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

§ 2A1.2, the Guideline for second degree murder. But the government maintains that Caballero-

Melgar’s actions constituted first degree murder under the felony-murder rule as defined by 18

U.S.C. § 1111(a), which is incorporated into § 2A1.1, and that no departure is warranted based on

his actions.

        Sentencing Guidelines Section 2A1.1, the Guideline for first degree murder, “applies in

cases of premeditated killing” and “when death results from the commission of certain felonies”—

that is, in instances of felony murder. U.S.S.G. § 2A1.1, cmt. n.1. The commentary for this

provision also notes that, if the death was not caused “intentionally or knowingly” by the

defendant, then a downward departure “may” be warranted to the second degree murder Guideline

established in § 2A1.2. Id. § 2A1.1, cmt. n.2(B).

        “[A] district court’s discretionary refusal to depart downward is generally not appealable,

unless the district court mistakenly believed it did not have legal authority to depart downward.”

United States v. Pruitt, 156 F.3d 638, 650 (6th Cir. 1998); see also United States v. Schray, 383

F.3d 430, 434 (6th Cir. 2004). “Where the district court’s sentencing decision evinces a purposeful

decision not to depart downward, however, it is not appealable.” United States v. Strickland, 144

F.3d 412, 418 (6th Cir. 1998). The district court need not expressly state its awareness of its

discretionary authority to depart downward, but the record must still make clear the court’s

awareness of that authority. Id.

        The sentencing hearing transcript reveals that the district court purposefully denied the

departure with awareness of its discretion. At Caballero-Melgar’s sentencing, the government

responded to Caballero-Melgar’s argument for the departure permitted by § 2A1.2 by noting that

it was a “discretionary” decision that the district court should decline to apply. DE 607, Sent’g

Tr., Page ID 3655. After hearing both parties on the matter, the district court denied the departure

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No. 21-6036, United States v. Caballero-Melgar

after considering Caballero-Melgar’s leadership in directing the robberies and providing guns to

his co-defendants, and the responsibility that Caballero-Melgar bore for the consequences of the

robberies—including Cruz’s death. The district court stated that it “absolutely agree[d] [with the

government that] the departure [was] not warranted.” Id. at Page ID 3656-67.

       “[W]here the record does not provide any reason to doubt that the district court properly

understood its discretion, this court will assume that the district court did understand its

discretion.” United States v. Richardson, 109 F. App’x 717, 718 (6th Cir. 2004) (citing United

States v. Ford, 184 F.3d 566, 585 (6th Cir. 1999)). Such is the case here. We therefore affirm.

                                                III.

       For the foregoing reasons, we affirm.

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