Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Dezirae Dawn LIGHTHIZER, Defendant-Appellant.
MEMORANDUM **
Dezirae Dawn Lighthizer appeals from the district court’s judgment and challenges the $ 4,500 order of restitution imposed following her guilty-plea conviction for counterfeiting obligations or securities of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 471. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.
Lighthizer contends that the district court erred by finding that she caused the losses suffered by several of the victims for whom she was ordered to pay restitution. We review the amount of a restitution award for abuse of discretion, and the factual findings supporting an order of restitution for clear error. See United States v. Galan, 804 F.3d 1287, 1289 (9th Cir. 2015). The district court heard testimony from a law enforcement agent linking each of the transactions for which restitution was ordered to the serial numbers of the counterfeit bills that Lighthizer admittedly placed into circulation. On this record, the district court did not clearly err in finding that Lighthizer caused the losses, and it did not abuse its discretion by ordering Lighthizer to pay $ 4,500 in restitution. See United States v. De La Fuente, 353 F.3d 766, 772-73 (9th Cir. 2003).
AFFIRMED.
Thank you for your feedback!
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Docket No: No. 18-30232
Decided: June 14, 2019
Court: United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)