United States DC Circuit

Defendants' sentences for unlawful distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base are affirmed where: 1) defendant's criminal conduct, as revealed in his record, constituted a "case specific aggravating factor which justifies opposition to variance," and did not warrant the requested variance from the Guidelines; 2) the district court, in reviewing the 18 U.S.C. section 3553(a) factors, recognized that it had discretion to vary below the Guidelines range; and 3) the district court's conclusion that defendant's stipulation to the government's factual allegations in the plea proffer was neither candid nor complete was not clearly erroneous and its denial of safety-valve sentencing was properly accorded deference.

Appellate Information

• Decided 01/14/2011
• Published 01/14/2011

Judges

• Judith Rogers

Court

• United States DC Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Sandra G. Roland, Benjamin L. Eisman