United States v. James
United States v. James
Opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 93-2516
Conference Calendar
UNITED STATES of AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
HOSIE JAMES III, Defendant-Appellant.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
(February 16, 1995)
Before POLITZ, Chief Judge, and HIGGINBOTHAM, and DeMOSS, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Hosie James III was convicted of possession with intent to
distribute over fifty grams of crack cocaine. The probation
officer determined that James' guidelines sentence range was 151-
188 months. The district court adopted the PSR and sentenced James
to a term of 160 months. James argues that the district court
* Local Rule 47.5 provides: "The publication of opinions that have no precedential value and merely decide particular cases on the basis of well-settled principles of law imposes needless expense on the public and burdens on the legal profession." Pursuant to that Rule, the Court has determined that this opinion should not be published. failed to supply adequate reasons for choosing the 160-month
sentence.
By statute, a sentencing court must consider the nature and
circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of
the defendant; the need for punishment, deterrence, public
protection and rehabilitation; the available sentences; the
guidelines and policy statements issued by the Sentencing
Commission; the need for consistency in sentencing; and the need
for restitution.
18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). If a defendant's guidelines
sentencing range exceeds twenty-four months, the district court
must state in open court its reasons for selecting a particular
sentence within the range.
Id.§ 3553(c)(1). The sentencing court
must link the pertinent facts to the relevant statutory factors
supporting the sentence imposed. See United States v. Duran,
37 F.3d 557, 560-61(9th Cir. 1994); United States v. Rosa,
11 F.3d 315, 344-45(2d Cir. 1993), cert. denied,
114 S. Ct. 1565(1994);
see also
18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).
James did not object to the district court's allegedly
inadequate reasons for imposing a 160-month sentence. Therefore,
we review for plain error. See United States v. Calverley,
37 F.3d 160, 162(5th Cir. 1994) (en banc), petition for cert. filed, ___
U.S.L.W. ___ (U.S. Jan. 18, 1995) (No. 94-7792). The requirements
enunciated in Calverley have not been met.
AFFIRMED.
2
Reference
- Status
- Published