UNITED STATES v. LARSEN (2021)

MEMORANDUM **

Bryan Larsen appeals pro se the district court's denial of his motion for a reduction of sentence/compassionate release pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1). The parties are familiar with the facts so we do not repeat them here. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.

We review § 3582(c)(1) sentence reduction decisions for abuse of discretion. United States v. Keller, 2 F.4th 1278, 1281 (9th Cir. 2021) (per curiam).

The district court did not commit legal error in assuming without deciding that there were “extraordinary and compelling reasons” warranting a reduction in Larsen's sentence and going on to “consider[ ] the factors set forth in section 3553(a).” 18 U.SC. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i); see Keller, 2 F.4th at 1284 (holding that “although a district court must perform this sequential inquiry before it grants compassionate release, a district court that properly denies compassionate release need not evaluate each step”).

Neither did the district court abuse its discretion in concluding that the Section 3553(a) factors weighed against a reduced sentence despite the COVID pandemic and Larsen's medical conditions. The district court explained that Larsen's crimes were very serious and troubling as he “robbed three different banks,” “us[ed] a double-barreled shotgun ․ and what appeared to be a handgun,” “put numerous lives in danger,” and “terrified [bank] employees and traumatized them for the rest of their lives.” See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) (providing that factors to be considered include “the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant”). The district court also noted that releasing Larsen after he had only served a third of his sentence would not advance the goals set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) because early release would not reflect the seriousness of Larsen's crimes, deter him and other from committing armed robberies or similar crimes of violence, protect the public, or avoid sentencing disparities with others who have been sentenced for similar crimes. See Keller, 2 F.4th at 1284 (affirming a denial of compassionate release where the movant remained a danger to others, committed multiple federal crimes, and had served less than half of his sentence).

AFFIRMED.