United States v. Smith
United States v. Smith
Opinion
Róndale Bernard Smith appeals his 57-month prison sentence, imposed pursuant to his guilty plea to distribution of cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (2000). Smith’s only contention on appeal is that his sentence is unreasonable.
When imposing a sentence after United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), district courts must calculate the appropriate Guidelines range, consider the range in conjunction with other relevant factors under 18 U.S.C.A. § 3553(a) (West 2000 & Supp. 2006), and impose a reasonable sentence. United States v. Moreland, 437 F.3d 424, 432-33 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 126 S.Ct. 2054, 164 L.Ed.2d 804 (2006). A sentence imposed within a properly calculated Guidelines range is presumptively reasonable. United States v. Green, 436 F.3d 449, 457 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 126 S.Ct. 2309, 164 L.Ed.2d 828 (2006). Thus, Smith’s 57-month sentence is presumptively reasonable, because it is within both the properly calculated Guidelines range and the applicable statutory maximum. The record reflects that the district court complied with § 3553(a), and considered Smith’s personal history and circumstances in determining his sentence. Having reviewed the record and the briefs of the parties on appeal, we find the sentence reasonable.
Therefore, we affirm Smith’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.