United States v. Patricia Lewis-Zubkin
Opinion
Patricia Gayle Lewis-Zubkin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of
In several intercepted phone calls, Lewis-Zubkin stated that two of her co-conspirators, James Suggs and Dammon Charlton, were working with law enforcement and needed to be assaulted. At one point she said that Suggs should have the life beat out of him and that she would like to see Charlton at least get his front teeth knocked out. She later paid another co-conspirator $100 to carry out the assaults. When days passed without the attacks taking place, Lewis-Zubkin demanded the return of her $100 and said she had found someone else to do the job. At sentencing, Lewis-Zubkin did not contest any of these facts but argued they were insufficient to show her threats were credible.
We find no clear error in the district court's application of the § 2D1.1(b)(2) enhancement.
See
United States v. Kirk Tang Yuk
,
The judgment of the district court is affirmed.
The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.
In a passing remark during sentencing, the district court referred to Lewis-Zubkin as bearing the burden of proof. The district court did not repeat this error and the uncontested facts establish that the government showed that the enhancement applied by a preponderance of the evidence.
See
United States v. Pepper
,
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff - Appellee v. Patricia Gayle LEWIS-ZUBKIN, Also Known as Pat Watts, Also Known as Pat Zubkin, Also Known as Pat Lewis, Defendant - Appellant
- Cited By
- 5 cases
- Status
- Published