United States v. Espinoza
United States v. Espinoza
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
Pursuant to a plea agreement, Francisco Sandoval Espinoza pled guilty to possession of pseudoephedrine, a list I chemical, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(d)(1).
A. Base Offense Level
We review de novo a district court’s interpretation of the Sentencing Guidelines, its application of the Guidelines to the facts for an abuse of discretion, and its findings of facts for clear error. Unit
Under U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3(a)(2), all acts and omissions by the defendant that occurred during the commission of the offense of conviction that were part of the same course or conduct or common scheme or plan as the offense of conviction are “relevant conduct,” provided that the offenses are of a character for which § 3D1.2(d) would require grouping of multiple counts. By its plain terms, § 3D1.2(d) applies to offenses covered by § 2D1.1 (unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance) and § 2D1.11 (unlawful possession of a listed chemical). Because Espinoza used the pseudoephedrine in the barn in an attempt to manufacture methamphetamine, it is covered by § 2D1.1. Because he possessed the pseudoephedrine in the locker with the intent to manufae- ’ ture methamphetamine, it is covered by § 2D1.11. Section 3D1.2(d) would require grouping, so the pseudoephedrine in the locker is relevant conduct under § 1B1.3(a)(2). Because possession of the locker pseudoephedrine was “relevant conduct” under § 1B1.3(a)(2), the district court properly aggregated the locker and barn pseudoephedrine in calculating Espinoza’s base offense level under § 2D1.1. See U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1 cmt. n. 12. We therefore affirm the district court’s calculation of Espinoza’s base offense level.
B. Doumward Departure
While we review a district court’s decision to depart from the Sentencing Guidelines for an abuse of discretion, Koon v. United States, 518 U.S. 81, 99, 116 S.Ct. 2035, 135 L.Ed.2d 392 (1996), we lack jurisdiction to review a district court’s discretionary refusal to depart downward from the Guidelines, United States v. Tam, 240 F.3d 797, 805 (9th Cir. 2001). We do, however, have jurisdiction to review a district court’s conclusion that it lacks legal authority under the Guidelines to depart downward. Koon, 518 U.S. at 100; United States v. Mendoza, 121 F.3d 510, 513 (9th Cir. 1997).
At the sentencing hearing, Espinoza argued that the district court had the authority to grant a downward departure based on a sentencing disparity that resulted from improper prosecutorial manipulation of co-defendants’ indictments. Cf United States v. Daas, 198 F.3d 1167, 1180-81 (9th Cir. 1999) (recognizing that “[djownward departure to equalize sentencing disparity is a proper ground for departure under the appropriate circumstances”). On appeal, Espinoza claims that the district court did not recognize that it had the authority to depart to remedy an inappropriate manipulation of the indictment. However, the record belies Espinoza’s characterization. In ruling on this issue, the district court clearly recog
AFFIRMED IN PART, DISMISSED IN PART.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as may be provided by Ninth Cir. R. 36-3.
. The parties are familiar with the facts of this case. We repeat only those that are necessary to explain our decision.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.