UNITED STATES v. SMITH (2018)

Dwayne Smith appeals the district court's order denying his 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) (2012) motion for a sentence reduction pursuant to Amendment 782 of the Sentencing Guidelines. He contends that the district court abused its discretion in denying his motion without providing an explanation. We affirm.

We review for abuse of discretion a district court's decision to reduce a sentence under § 3582(c)(2). United States v. Muldrow, 844 F.3d 434, 437 (4th Cir. 2016). “[A] district court abuses its discretion when it acts arbitrarily or irrationally, fails to consider judicially recognized factors constraining its exercise of discretion, relies on erroneous factual or legal premises, or commits an error of law.” United States v. Briley, 770 F.3d 267, 276 (4th Cir. 2014) (internal quotation marks omitted).

We need not decide whether the district court adequately stated the reasons for its decision to deny Smith's motion because we conclude that the district court lacked the authority to reduce Smith's sentence below the statutory minimum. See United States v. Allen, 450 F.3d 565, 568-69 (4th Cir. 2006). Thus, any error in the district court's explanation of its denial of Smith's motion was harmless.

Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the district court. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED

PER CURIAM:

Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.