United States v. Randolph
United States v. Randolph
Opinion
Tynisa Dovon Randolph pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a), (b)(1)(C) (2000). She received a 121-month sentence. On appeal, she argues that the district court erred in not giving her a two-level reduction for her role as a “minor participant,” and in ruling that it lacked the authority to use a ratio other than the 100:1 ratio established by Congress in calculating the advisory guideline range for a cocaine base offense. We affirm.
Randolph first argues that the court erred in denying her a reduction based on her role as a “minor participant” pursuant to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual § 3B1.2(b) (2004). The standard of review for factual determinations, such as whether the appellant’s conduct warrants a minor-role sentencing reduction, is clear error. United States v. Daughtrey, 874 F.2d 213, 218 (4th Cir. 1989). A defendant who is only a “minor participant” in a criminal activity may have his offense level reduced *256 by two levels. USSG § 3B1.2(b). This applies to a defendant “who is less culpable than most other participants, but whose role could not be described as minimal.” USSG § 3B1.2(b), comment, (n.5). We find that the district court’s refusal to grant Randolph a two-level reduction for being a “minor participant” was not clear error.
Randolph also claims that the court erred in ruling that it lacked authority to use a ratio other than the 100:1 ratio established by Congress in calculating the advisory guideline range for a cocaine base offense. Randolph’s argument is foreclosed by Circuit precedent. See United States v. Eura, 440 F.3d 625, 633-34 (4th Cir. 2006) (holding that, after United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), a sentencing court cannot vary from advisory sentencing range by substituting its own crack cocaine/powder cocaine ratio for the 100-to-l ratio established by Congress); United States v. Burgos, 94 F.3d 849, 876 (4th Cir. 1996) (en banc) (upholding validity of 100-to-l sentencing disparity).
Accordingly, we affirm Randolph’s sentence. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
AFFIRMED.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.