Court Opinion

ID: 64894
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-26 05:24:24+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:20:35.185642
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                   FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT  United States Court of Appeals
                                                   Fifth Circuit

                                                FILED
                                                                February 18, 2009
                                No. 08-40426
                             Conference Calendar            Charles R. Fulbruge III
                                                                    Clerk

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                           Plaintiff-Appellee

v.

JUAN LORENZO

                                           Defendant-Appellant

                 Appeal from the United States District Court
                      for the Southern District of Texas
                           USDC No. 2:07-CR-358-2

Before HIGGINBOTHAM, DENNIS, and PRADO, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
      Juan Lorenzo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to
distribute 4.97 kilograms of cocaine and was sentenced to 97 months in prison.
Lorenzo appealed his sentence, contending that the district court clearly erred
in imposing a three-level enhancement pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(b) because
the evidence did not establish he was a manager or supervisor in the conspiracy.

      *
      Pursuant to 5 TH C IR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion
should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited
circumstances set forth in 5 TH C IR. R. 47.5.4.
                                  No. 08-40426

      A defendant’s base offense level may be increased three levels pursuant
to § 3B1.1(b) “[i]f the defendant was a manager or supervisor (but not an
organizer or leader) and the criminal activity involved five or more participants
or was otherwise extensive.” § 3B1.1(b). “To qualify for an adjustment under
this section, the defendant must have been the . . . manager[] or supervisor of
one or more other participants.” § 3B1.1, comment. (n.2). This court reviews the
district court’s determination that a defendant was a manager or supervisor
under § 3B1.1(b) for clear error. United States v. Fullwood, 342 F.3d 409, 415
(5th Cir. 2003). Where a factual finding is plausible in light of the record as a
whole, it is not clearly erroneous. Id.
      The district court did not clearly err when it increased Lorenzo’s base
offense level pursuant to § 3B1.1(b) because the record evidence reflects that
Lorenzo managed or supervised Roseangela Martinez. Lorenzo directed her
transportation of his portion of the cocaine, he paid for her flight to Texas, he
agreed to pay her for successful transportation of the cocaine, and he delivered
the cocaine to her for transport. Therefore, the district court’s finding that
Lorenzo occupied an aggravating role is plausible in light of the record as a
whole and is not clearly erroneous. See id. The judgment is AFFIRMED.

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