UNITED STATES v. RICHARDSON (2020)

Robert Isadore Richardson appeals from the district court’s denial of his motion for a reduced sentence under the First Step Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-391, § 404, 132 Stat. 5194, 5222. Although Richardson pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 16.2 grams of cocaine base, he stipulated at sentencing to being responsible for 140 grams of the drug and was sentenced based on that quantity to 210 months’ imprisonment. In denying Richardson’s motion for a reduced sentence under the First Step Act, it is not clear from the record whether the district court reasoned that he was not sentenced for a “covered offense” within the meaning of the Act, based on the quantity of drugs for which he was held accountable at sentencing, and therefore was not eligible for a reduction; or whether the court accepted that Richardson was eligible for a reduction but summarily denied it, without considering the § 3553(a) sentencing factors, on the grounds that his advisory Guidelines range would remain unchanged. Either resolution, however, would amount to error, in light of our reasoning in United States v. Wirsing, 943 F.3d 175, 185–86 (4th Cir. 2019), and United States v. Chambers, 956 F.3d 667, 674 (4th Cir. 2020), respectively. Accordingly, we vacate and remand for further proceedings consistent with our reasoning in Wirsing and Chambers. 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.

VACATED AND REMANDED

PER CURIAM:

Vacated and remanded by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.