Court Opinion

ID: 9482784
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 09:00:26.930674+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:49:12.219595
License: Public Domain

WELLFORD, Senior Circuit Judge,
concurring in part and dissenting in part:
I concur in parts I and IIA of the opinion in this case.
Although it is a close issue, I respectfully dissent from the conclusion reached as to part IIB, the increase in the guidelines level imposed for possession of a dangerous weapon. I would here conclude, under all the circumstances, that the connection between the theft from an unoccupied car and the location of the unloaded firearm underneath the back seat of the defendant’s car is too tenuous or unconnected with the single offense, which is the subject of the plea agreement, to warrant the two point weapon enhancement. I would hold, rather, that the proper interpretation of the guidelines here would not involve “possession” by Gerry of such a weapon which was located in a vehicle some distance away from the theft under a seat which had to be removed in order to gain access to the weapon.
I, therefore, dissent from part IIB, and I would remand for resentencing in this respect only.