United States v. Harrington
United States v. Harrington
Opinion of the Court
ORDER
Richard Harrington pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. See 21 U.S.C §§ 841(a)(1) and 846. The amount of cocaine triggered a mandatory minimum
The government appealed the sentence. Both the government and Harrington’s counsel agree that the district court did not have discretion to impose a sentence below the mandatory minimum. Indeed, district courts may not apply the factors listed in § 3553(a) to impose a sentence below the statutory mandatory minimum even after United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005). See United States v. James, 487 F.3d 518, 530 (7th Cir. 2007); United States v. Duncan, 479 F.3d 924, 930 (7th Cir. 2007). District courts may impose a sentence below the mandatory minimum only if the government moves for a departure based on substantial assistance or if the defendant is eligible for the safety-valve provision. See United States v. Crickon, 240 F.3d 652, 655 (7th Cir. 2001). Neither of these exceptions apply here, which all parties and the district court acknowledged. Accordingly, we grant the parties’ agreed motion to waive oral argument, vacate Harrington’s sentence, and remand the case to the district court for resentenc-ing.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- United States v. Richard HARRINGTON
- Status
- Published