UNITED STATES v. JARAMILLO (2019)

SUMMARY ORDER

Pedro Jaramillo appeals his sentence following his plea of guilty to commodities fraud and wire fraud in the Southern District of New York (Swain, J.). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts, the procedural history, and the issues presented for review.

Jaramillo argues that the sentence of 144 months’ imprisonment--47 months above the guidelines range of 78 to 97 months--is procedurally and substantively unreasonable. Because Jaramillo did not challenge the procedural reasonableness of his sentence in the district court, we review for plain error. United States v. Verkhoglyad, 516 F.3d 122, 128 (2d Cir. 2008). If we find no procedural error, we review the substantive reasonableness of the sentence for abuse of discretion. United States v. Regalado, 518 F.3d 143, 147 (2d Cir. 2008) (per curiam).

The district court did not err. Judge Swain adduced reasons for her above-guidelines sentence that she believed were not adequately contemplated by the guidelines and which rendered Jaramillo’s case unique, such as Jaramillo’s lack of remorse, the “utterly despicable” way he preyed on unsophisticated investors, App’x 134, the “unusual” “depravity” of his crimes, id. at 133, and the extensive non-financial harm his victims suffered. And although four points were added to Jaramillo’s offense level because five or more victims suffered substantial financial hardship, Jaramillo defrauded no fewer than 26 victims, some of whom Jaramillo “knew could lose their homes and ․ were supporting sick and elderly people.” Id. at 134.

As to substantive reasonableness, Jaramillo callously defrauded unsophisticated immigrant-investors, never actually investing a single dollar he collected from them and spending most of the money on himself. At sentencing, several victims described the impact of the fraud on their lives and the ways Jaramillo deceived them by encouraging them to invest all of their money with him, thus preventing them from putting their assets into prudent investments. Judge Swain noted the “profoundly devastating impact” of Jaramillo’s “unspeakably awful” conduct, id. at 135, 142, as well as “the depravity ․ of his crime, the lack of credible remorse, and [his] ongoing danger to the public,” id. at 136. After considering the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors, Judge Swain ultimately found that an above-guidelines sentence was necessary “to effectuate appropriate punishment, to deter Mr. Jaramillo and others, and to protect the publi[c] from fraudulent solicitations for a significant period of time.” Id. at 136–37.

Under these circumstances, an above-guidelines sentence--even a sentence substantially above the top of the guidelines range--was not an abuse of discretion.

We have considered the Appellant’s remaining arguments and find them to be without merit. Accordingly, we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.