U.S. v. Christman

Citation894 F.2d 339
Decision Date11 January 1990
Docket NumberNo. 89-30090,89-30090
PartiesUNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Robert CHRISTMAN, Defendant-Appellant.
CourtUnited States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (9th Circuit)

Michael McGrady, Eugene, Or., for defendant-appellant.

Thomas M. Coffin, Asst. U.S. Atty., Eugene, Or., for plaintiff-appellee.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Oregon.

Before WRIGHT, TANG and CANBY, Circuit Judges.

EUGENE A. WRIGHT, Circuit Judge:

We consider whether the district court erred in sentencing the defendant under the Sentencing Guidelines when it found (1) he was a "minor" rather than a "minimal" participant in the offense, and (2) he willfully impeded or obstructed the administration of justice. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1291 and affirm.

BACKGROUND

A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment against three defendants, including Robert Christman, alleging drug The probation office prepared a presentence report, recommending that (1) Christman's sentence be reduced two points under Sentencing Guideline Sec. 3B1.2(b) for his "minor" role in the offense, (2) his sentence be enhanced two points for obstruction of justice under Sec. 3C1.1, and (3) there be no reduction for acceptance of responsibility under Sec. 3E1.1. He objected to these recommendations but, after hearing testimony at the sentencing hearing, the court adopted the findings and recommendations of the report.

offenses. Christman was charged with using the telephone to negotiate the price and quantity of drugs on behalf of one of the other defendants, and derived no profit from the drug transactions. He pleaded guilty to one count of using a telephone to facilitate a cocaine conspiracy, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Secs. 843(b), 846, and 841(a)(1).

Applying the Sentencing Guidelines, the court imposed a 12-month prison sentence and a $10,000 fine. Christman appeals the imprisonment portion of the sentence.

DISCUSSION

On appeal, he argues that (1) the court erred in treating him as a "minor" rather than as a "minimal" participant in the offense under Guideline Sec. 3B1.2, and (2) it erred in enhancing his sentence for willfully impeding or obstructing the administration of justice under Sec. 3C1.1.

I. Application of Guideline Sec. 3B1.2

Guideline Sec. 3B1.2 provides for a two-level reduction in the base offense level if the defendant was a minor participant in the offense, and a four-level reduction if he was a minimal participant. The court accepted the presentence report's conclusion that Christman was a minor participant, and reduced his offense level two points. He argues that the court erred because he was really a minimal participant.

The downward adjustment under Sec. 3B1.2 is to be used infrequently. United States v. Gillock, 886 F.2d 220, 222 (9th Cir.1989) (per curiam). "A district court's finding that a defendant does not qualify for minimal or minor participant status is, as the commentary points out, 'heavily dependent on the facts of the particular case,' and should be upheld unless clearly erroneous." Id. (citations omitted).

The court's finding that Christman was a minor rather than minimal participant was not clearly erroneous. Christman argues that he was a minimal participant in the conspiracy. He was sentenced, however, based on the charge of using a telephone in the commission of a drug-related offense, not for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Because there was evidence that he used the telephone to negotiate the price and quantity of drugs, the court reasonably concluded that his participation in this crime was not minimal. There was no error.

II. Application of Guideline Sec. 3C1.1

Christman argues that the court erred in enhancing his sentence for obstructing justice. Guideline Sec. 3C1.1 provides:

If the defendant willfully impeded or obstructed, or attempted to impede or obstruct the administration of justice during the investigation or prosecution of the instant offense, increase the offense level by 2 levels.

This enhancement is appropriate "for a defendant who engages in conduct calculated to mislead or deceive authorities or those involved in a judicial proceeding ... in respect to the instant offense." Commentary to Guideline Sec. 3C1.1. Furnishing material falsehoods to a probation officer in the course of a presentence investigation is conduct which may provide a basis for enhancement. Guideline Sec. 3C1.1, Application Note 1(e). "In applying this provision, suspect testimony and statements should be evaluated in a light most favorable to the defendant." Id. at Application Note 2.

The court's finding that Christman obstructed justice is a factual conclusion which we review for clear error. 18 U.S.C.A. Sec. 3742(e) (West Supp.1989); see United States v. Williams, 879 F.2d 454, 457 (8th Cir.1989); United States v. Franco-Torres, 869 F.2d 797, 800 (5th Cir.1989).

The court's conclusion that Christman obstructed justice was not clearly erroneous. As noted in the presentence report,...

To continue reading

Request your trial
68 cases
  • US v. Nelson, Cr. A. No. 89-20081-01.
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — District of Kansas
    • May 25, 1990
    ...a minor participant is, as the commentary points out, "heavily dependent upon the facts of the particular case." United States v. Christman, 894 F.2d 339, 341 (9th Cir.1990). In the instant case, an abundance of evidence indicates that the five defendants who seek this downward adjustment p......
  • U.S. v. Allen
    • United States
    • United States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (9th Circuit)
    • August 26, 2003
    ...where the court finds that the defendant provided false testimony on a material matter with willful intent."); United States v. Christman, 894 F.2d 339, 342 (9th Cir.1990) (holding that obstruction of justice was willful where the defendant knew his prior drug was a felony but told his prob......
  • U.S. v. Davis
    • United States
    • United States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (9th Circuit)
    • September 29, 1994
    ...infrequently and only in exceptional circumstances. See United States v. Hoac, 990 F.2d 1099, 1106 (9th Cir.1993); United States v. Christman, 894 F.2d 339, 341 (9th Cir.1990). Although his courier status does not automatically entitle him to a downward adjustment, Davis is correct in asser......
  • U.S. v. Davis
    • United States
    • United States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (9th Circuit)
    • March 2, 1994
    ...infrequently and only in exceptional circumstances. See United States v. Hoac, 990 F.2d 1099, 1106 (9th Cir.1993); United States v. Christman, 894 F.2d 339, 341 (9th Cir.1990). Although his courier status does not automatically entitle him to a downward adjustment, Davis is correct in asser......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT