United States v. Coleman, 10th Cir. (2009)
United States v. Coleman, 10th Cir. (2009)
Clerk of Court
No. 08-5113
(N.D. Okla.)
(D.Ct. No. 4:89-CR-00090-HDC-3)
TROY T. COLEMAN,
Defendant - Appellant.
____________________________
ORDER AND JUDGMENT *
After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined
unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of
this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2); 10th Cir. R. 34.1. The case is therefore
ordered submitted without oral argument.
Troy Coleman appeals from an 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(2) resentencing on a
crack cocaine offense. Because the issues he raises have been recently resolved
contrary to his position, we affirm.
This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of
law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. It may be cited, however, for its
persuasive value consistent with Fed. R. App. P. 32.1 and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.
I. BACKGROUND
In 1990, Coleman was convicted of conspiracy and possession with intent
to distribute crack cocaine in violation of 18 U.S.C. 846, 841(a)(1). The
Presentence Investigation Report (PSR) determined Colemans offense level was
38, which included a 2-level increase for possession of a firearm during the
commission of the offense. His Criminal History Category was V. The guideline
range was imprisonment for 360 months to life. The district court sentenced him
to 360 months. We affirmed. United States v. Coleman, 947 F.2d 1424 (10th Cir.
1991).
In 2007, the United States Sentencing Commission amended the drug
quantity table in USSG 2D1.1(c) to reduce the sentencing disparity between
crack cocaine and powder cocaine. USSG App. C, Amend. 706 (2007). The
amendment reduced the base offense level for crack-cocaine-related offenses by
two levels. It was made retroactive. See United States v. Rhodes, 549 F.3d 833,
835 (10th Cir. 2008).
Wishing to take advantage of the amendments retroactive effect, Coleman
petitioned the court for a sentence reduction, as permitted by 18 U.S.C.
3582(c)(2). Under the amended guidelines his sentencing range was 292 to 365
months. He also requested a downward variance based on the continuing
disparity within the crack and powder cocaine sentencing guidelines (even after
Amendment 706) as recognized in Kimbrough v. United States, 128 S. Ct. 558
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(2007). The court reduced his sentence to 302 months, but denied his request for
a variance.
Coleman now claims the district court erred, substantively by denying a
variance and procedurally by failing to sufficiently explain its denial.
II. DISCUSSION
Our discussion is brief because the issues presented have been resolved in
this circuit. The scope of a district courts authority in a resentencing
proceeding under 3582(c)(2) is a question of law that we review de novo.
Rhodes, 549 F.3d at 837. A district court is without authority to grant a variance
from the amended crack cocaine guidelines in sentence modification proceedings.
Id. at 841. Since the court had no authority to vary from the guidelines, its
reasons for refusing to do so are of no moment.
In a brief submitted by counsel, Coleman relies on the holding of
Kimbrough, which recognized that in an original sentencing proceeding, the
sentencing guidelines relevant to crack cocaine offenses must be applied in an
advisory manner, subject to the particular circumstances of each case. 128 S. Ct.
at 574-76. Coleman asserts the district courts denial of his request for a variance
at his resentencing was based on a misstatement of the law set forth by the
Supreme Court in Kimbrough. We need not critique the district courts
Kimbrough analysis. It was without authority to grant a variance at resentencing,
whether based on Kimbrough or not.
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All references to the United States Sentencing Guidelines are to the 2008 version
unless otherwise stated.
2
Colemans attempt to get a second bite at the apple fails. He raised these issues
on his direct appeal and we upheld the district courts computation of the offense level
and criminal history score. See Coleman, 947 F.2d at 1424.
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Commission . . . the court may reduce the term of imprisonment, after considering
the factors set forth in section 3553(a) to the extent that they are applicable . . .
.) (emphasis added). In making a determination to reduce, the court must also
consider the risk to the publics safety and may consider the defendants postsentencing conduct. See USSG 1B1.10, comment. (n.1(B)(ii)-(iii)). Exercising
its discretion, the district court determined a reduction of Colemans sentence was
warranted. The extent of any reduction is also discretionary.
In deciding the extent of any reduction, a district court is required to
consider the 3553(a) factors, the danger to the publics safety posited by a
reduction and is allowed to consider Colemans post-sentencing conduct. See id.
The district court did so and detailed its reasons for imposing a mid-guideline
sentence (302 months). It specifically noted Colemans criminal history includes
several crimes of violence . . . his conduct while imprisoned . . . includes several
violations, some carrying the potential of jeopardizing the safety of the institution
and others . . . . (R. Vol. I, Doc. 200 at 2.)
Because Coleman was resentenced within the amended guideline range, we
presume his sentence is reasonable. United States v. Kristl, 437 F.3d 1050, 1055
(10th Cir. 2006). A defendant may rebut this presumption by demonstrating the
sentence is unreasonable in light of the other 3553(a) factors. Id. But Coleman
has failed to do so.
As in all sentencing decisions, our substantive review is for an abuse of
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discretion. United States v. Angel-Guzman, 506 F.3d 1007, 1014-15 (10th Cir.
2007). We see no abuse of discretion and, accordingly, no substantive sentencing
error. Because the court provided a reasoned analysis of the relevant factors in
deciding to grant a reduction and the extent of such reduction, it committed no
procedural error.
We have considered the arguments presented in Colemans pro se filings.
We deny his motion to file a supplemental brief as moot.
AFFIRMED.
Entered by the Court:
Terrence L. OBrien
United States Circuit Judge
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