United States v. Espalin

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• Decided: December 3, 2003
• Docket: 02-5546
• Status: Published

Opinion

RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION Pursuant to Sixth Circuit Rule 206 2 United States v. Espalin No. 02-5546 ELECTRONIC CITATION: 2003 FED App. 0422P (6th Cir.) File Name: 03a0422p.06 Appellant. Timothy R. DiScenza, ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, Memphis, Tennessee, for Appellee. ON BRIEF: J. Patten Brown, III, OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER, Memphis, Tennessee, for Appellant. Timothy R. DiScenza, ASSISTANT UNITED FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT STATES ATTORNEY, Memphis, Tennessee, for Appellee. _________________ GUY, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which UNITED STATES OF AMERICA X DAUGHTREY, J., joined. LAWSON, D. J. (pp. 4-15), Plaintiff-Appellee, - delivered a separate concurring opinion. - - No. 02-5546 _________________ v. - > OPINION , _________________ STEPHEN ESPALIN , - Defendant-Appellant. - RALPH B. GUY, JR., Circuit Judge. Defendant, Stephen N Espalin, entered a guilty plea to an information charging him Appeal from the United States District Court with threatening the President of the United States in for the Western District of Tennessee at Memphis. violation of 18 U.S.C. § 871. The trial judge imposed a No. 02-20003—Julia S. Gibbons, Circuit Judge. sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment to be followed by two years of supervised release. No objections were raised prior Argued: September 9, 2003 to sentencing concerning either the applicability of the guidelines applied or the sentencing range. Defendant filed Decided and Filed: December 3, 2003 a motion for a downward departure, which was denied.

Before: GUY and DAUGHTREY, Circuit Judges; Espalin now appeals claiming the court erred in not LAWSON, District Judge.* granting his motion for a downward departure. No claim is made that the trial judge was unaware of her authority to grant _________________ a downward departure. Because we have no jurisdiction to consider an appeal from the denial of a downward departure COUNSEL under these circumstances, we affirm.

ARGUED: M. Dianne Smothers, OFFICE OF THE I. FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER, Memphis, Tennessee, for We have repeatedly held, as have all other circuits, that where a sentence is not imposed in violation of law or is not the result of an incorrect application of the guidelines, the * The Honorable David M. Lawson, United States District Judge for refusal of the trial judge to grant a downward departure is not the Eastern District of Michigan, sitting by designation.

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an issue cognizable on appeal. United States v. Byrd, 53 F.3d _________________ 144, 145 (6th Cir. 1995). The defendant acknowledges as much, but attempts to avoid this result by arguing that the CONCURRENCE probation officer overstepped her bounds in preparing the _________________ presentence report and became an advocate arguing against the granting of the requested downward departure. DAVID M. LAWSON, District Judge (concurring). I agree with the majority’s conclusion that the denial of a downward Our review of the sentencing hearing, as well as the departure motion by a sentencing judge who acknowledges probation report itself, convinces us that no impropriety her authority to depart is beyond our power to review. See occurred. More importantly, even if we were to hold that the United States v. Taylor, 286 F.3d 303, 305 (6th Cir. 2002). I probation officer overstepped her bounds, the result would not also fully concur with the holding that the probation officer’s change. The trial judge is a very experienced jurist, and there statements in the presentence report and its addendum did not is no indication that she abdicated her decisional role by violate any of the defendant’s substantial rights. Whatever merely rubber-stamping the recommendation of the probation the propriety of the comments in a presentence report, it officer. Judge Lawson in his concurrence thoughtfully sets would be a rare case indeed where a probation officer’s forth the proper role of the probation officer; however, in the rhetoric could overwhelm the independent judgment of a last analysis the trial judge is the filter between the sentencing court. I write separately, however, to express my recommendation of the probation officer and the sentence views on the subject of the proper role of a presentence actually imposed. Appellate relief would be available only if investigator under the Sentence Reform Act of 1984 and the improper actions of a probation officer resulted in the trial Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, from the point of view judge making a reviewable sentencing error of a type of a district court judge sitting on this court by designation. requiring reversal or remand. I. The defendant also devotes a good portion of his brief to a polemic against the sentencing guidelines and the lack of After the defendant pleaded guilty to threatening the sentencing discretion that remains with a federal trial judge. President of the United States, a United States Probation Although many federal judges might echo these sentiments, Officer prepared a presentence report (PSR) calculating a total they are addressed to the wrong audience. Congress offense level of 6, and a criminal history category of VI, established the guideline system, and only Congress can yielding a guideline range of 12 to 18 months. The change that system. statutorily-authorized maximum sentence for the offense is five years. 18 U.S.C. § 871. The probation officer included AFFIRMED. language in the PSR commenting on “factors that may warrant departure,” stating: Pursuant to § 4A1.3, “If reliable information indicates that the criminal history category does not adequately reflect the seriousness of the defendant’s past criminal conduct or the likelihood that the defendant will commit other crimes, the court may consider imposing a sentence No. 02-5546 United States v. Espalin 5 6 United States v. Espalin No. 02-5546

departing from the otherwise applicable guideline range.” In response to the motion, the probation officer The defendant has 27 criminal history points. The Court supplemented the PSR with an addendum that contained the may establish that Criminal History Category VI does following language: not adequately reflect the seriousness of the defendant’s criminal history given the nature of the prior offenses. Section 5K2.13, Diminished Capacity, allows for a Since at least 1975, the defendant has consistently been sentence below the guideline range if the defendant arrested for crimes involving fraud, manipulation, and committed the offense while suffering from a deceit in order to avoid a law-abiding lifestyle. There is significantly reduced mental capacity. Application Note a strong likelihood that the defendant will continue this 1 to § 5K2.13 states that “significantly reduced mental pattern and victimize more individuals. capacity” means that the defendant has a significantly impaired ability to understand the wrongfulness of the J.A. at 75. behavior comprising the offense or an impaired ability to control behavior that the defendant knows is wrongful. The defendant filed objections to this section, contending that the probation officer failed to recognize that the Section 5K2.13 also states that the Court may not defendant is entitled to a downward departure for diminished (emphasis added) depart below the guideline range if the capacity and that this was an “obvious” factor the probation defendant’s criminal history indicates a need to officer missed. The defendant also called into question the incarcerate the defendant to protect the public. The probation officer’s “objectivity” and requested that the defendant has accumulated a total of 27 criminal history probation officer “not be allowed any ex parte communication points. He has two previous convictions for sexual with the court.” J.A. at 10. In addition, he filed a motion for offenses, as well as numerous convictions for theft and a downward departure on the basis of USSG § 5K2.13, which fraud. A psychological evaluation was conducted by states: Emily Fallis, Ph.D. in September 2001. In her evaluation, Dr. Fallis stated, “Mr. Espalin acknowledged A sentence below the applicable guideline range may be a lifestyle of conning others, particularly young men, and warranted if the defendant committed the offense while fraudulent behavior beyond his criminal record for the suffering from a significantly reduced mental capacity. past several years.” Examples of such behavior include However, the court may not depart below the applicable taking long bus trips and staying in hotels without guideline range if (1) the significantly reduced mental paying. In addition, the defendant “confessed he capacity was caused by the voluntary use of drugs or ‘conned’ the man he allegedly tried to frame in the other intoxicants; (2) the facts and circumstances of the current case (Julian) ‘out of a lot of money.’ He added defendant’s offense indicate a need to protect the public that he twice attempted to steal Julian’s car as well.” The because the offense involved actual violence or a serious defendant’s criminal convictions and examples of threat of violence; or (3) the defendant’s criminal history uncharged fraudulent behavior provided to Dr. Ellis are indicates a need to incarcerate the defendant to protect evidence of the defendant’s extensive history of the public. If a departure is warranted, the extent of the victimization of others. Based on the defendant’s pattern departure should reflect the extent to which the reduced of criminal activity, it is likely that the defendant will mental capacity contributed to the commission of the continue to engage in criminal behavior. offense. No. 02-5546 United States v. Espalin 7 8 United States v. Espalin No. 02-5546

In addition, the psychological evaluation conducted by II. Dr. Fallis does not indicate that the defendant has a significantly reduced mental capacity. She diagnosed the The proper content of a PSR is prescribed by Federal Rule defendant with Malingering and Borderline Personality of Criminal Procedure 32(b), which in its form at the time of Disorder. According to Dr. Fallis, “a personality the defendant’s sentencing stated: disorder refers to a pattern of inner experience and behaviors present since youth which leads to social or (4) Contents of the Presentence Report. The presentence occupational impairment or to both sorts of impairments. report must contain– This enduring pattern is inflexible and pervasive.” There (A) information about the defendant’s history and is no evidence to suggest that the personality disorder characteristics, including any prior criminal record, contributed to diminished capacity. During the study financial condition, and any circumstances that, period, the defendant also admitted to Dr. Fallis that he because they affect the defendant’s behavior, may be was “80 per cent” regretful that he did not recant his helpful in imposing sentence or in correctional treatment; threat to harm President Bush. He stated that a part of (B) the classification of the offense and of the him wants to continue making the threats because he defendant under the categories established by the enjoys the attention that he is getting. Sentencing Commission under 28 U.S.C. § 994(a), as the probation officer believes to be applicable to During an interview with the probation officer, Espalin the defendant’s case; the kinds of sentence and the stated that he told the police that his friend was making sentencing range suggested for such a category of bombs because he was angry at the friend for ending an offense committed by such a category of defendant affair. He also admitted that he threatened the President as set forth in the guidelines issued by the because he was mad. It appears that the defendant acted Sentencing Commission under 28 U.S.C. on his anger without considering the consequences of his § 994(a)(1); and the probation officer’s explanation behavior; however, this does not indicate a significantly of any factors that may suggest a different sentence- reduced mental capacity. -within or without the applicable guideline-- that would be more appropriate, given all the J.A. 124-25. circumstances; (C) a reference to any pertinent policy statement The defendant objected to this commentary below, and now issued by the Sentencing Commission under 28 argues on appeal that the probation officer’s comments are U.S.C. § 994(a)(2); improper because they constitute advocacy, whereas the (D) verified information, stated in a proper role of a probation officer, according to the defendant, nonargumentative style, containing an assessment of is to serve as a dispassionate reporter of facts in the service of the financial, social, psychological, and medical the sentencing court. impact on any individual against whom the offense has been committed; (E) in appropriate cases, information about the nature and extent of nonprison programs and resources available for the defendant; (F) in appropriate cases, information sufficient for No. 02-5546 United States v. Espalin 9 10 United States v. Espalin No. 02-5546

the court to enter an order of restitution; the grounds for those objections, and the probation (G) any report and recommendation resulting from officer’s comments on the objections. At the same a study ordered by the court under 18 U.S.C. time, the probation officer must furnish the revisions § 3552(b); and of the presentence report and the addendum to the (H) any other information required by the court. defendant, the defendant's counsel, and the attorney (5) Exclusions. The presentence report must exclude: for the Government. (A) any diagnostic opinions that, if disclosed, might (D) Except for any unresolved objection under seriously disrupt a program of rehabilitation; subdivision (b)(6)(B), the court may, at the hearing, (B) sources of information obtained upon a promise accept the presentence report as its findings of fact. of confidentiality; or For good cause shown, the court may allow a new (C) any other information that, if disclosed, might objection to be raised at any time before imposing result in harm, physical or otherwise, to the sentence. defendant or other persons. (6) Disclosure and Objections. Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(b) (2000) (emphasis added). (A) Not less than 35 days before the sentencing hearing--unless the defendant waives this minimum The tasks of the probation officer under the Rule include period--the probation officer must furnish the gathering information (e.g., the defendant’s “history and presentence report to the defendant, the defendant's characteristics”), expressing opinions (stating “the counsel, and the attorney for the Government. The classification of the offense and of the defendant . . . as the court may, by local rule or in individual cases, direct probation officer believes to be applicable”), making that the probation officer not disclose the probation judgments (“explain[ing] . . . factors that may suggest a officer’s recommendation, if any, on the sentence. different sentence . . . that would be more appropriate”), (B) Within 14 days after receiving the presentence reporting on the crime’s impact on the victim, mediating report, the parties shall communicate in writing to disputes that arise as a result of the draft PSR, and the probation officer, and to each other, any commenting on unresolved objections. The Rule demands objections to any material information, sentencing that some of these functions be carried out in a neutral classifications, sentencing guideline ranges, and manner; for example, facts relating to victim impact must be policy statements contained in or omitted from the reported in “a nonargumentative style.” Fed. R. Crim. P. presentence report. After receiving objections, the 32(b)(4)(D) (2000). However, by their nature, other duties probation officer may meet with the defendant, the necessarily require the probation officer to stake out and defendant’s counsel, and the attorney for the defend a position. Government to discuss those objections. The probation officer may also conduct a further It has been suggested that when the probation officer’s investigation and revise the presentence report as conclusion on a matter that affects the guideline range differs appropriate. from a position taken by the government or, as here, the (C) Not later than 7 days before the sentencing defendant, the probation officer thereby assumes the role of hearing, the probation officer must submit the an advocate. See United States v. Johnson, 935 F.2d 47, 49 presentence report to the court, together with an (4th Cir. 1991). Indeed, the role of the probation officer has addendum setting forth any unresolved objections, changed substantially in the post-Sentencing Guideline era. No. 02-5546 United States v. Espalin 11 12 United States v. Espalin No. 02-5546

See Sharon M. Brunzel, The Probation Officer and the report during a presentence conference with the court, a Federal Sentencing Guidelines: Strange Philosophical probation officer should continue to be a neutral, information- Bedfellows, 104 Yale L.J. 933, 945, 962 (Jan. 1994) (positing gathering agent of the court, not an agent of the prosecution); that the pre-Guideline probation officer served as “the court’s United States v. Rogers, 921 F.2d 975, 980 (10th Cir. 1990) ‘eyes and ears,’ a neutral information gatherer with loyalties (stating that the probation officer acts as an agent of the court to no one but the court,” whereas the Sentencing Guidelines for the purpose of gathering and classifying information and have increased the probation officer’s “decision-making informing the court in the exercise of its sentencing responsibilities” directly relating to guideline range responsibility). That requirement ought not impair probation calculations and have thrust the officer into “the business of officers’ effectiveness or compromise their independence. lawyering”). Decisions that predate the implementation of the See United States v. Woods, 907 F.2d 1540, 1543-44 (5th Cir. Sentencing Guidelines assume the absence of the probation 1990) (rejecting the defendant’s claim on appeal that a officer’s allegiance to one side or the other as a fundamental probation officer acted in a prosecutorial capacity because he premise that permits the acquisition and transmission of recommended a higher quantity of drugs than that to which information to the sentencing judge in a way that is removed the prosecutor had stipulated, the court instead finding that from the adversarial system yet is consistent with due process. the probation officer’s action demonstrated his “independence See, e.g., Williams v. New York, 337 U.S. 241, 249-50 (1949) of the prosecution and his obligation to recommend what he (holding that “modern” practice of acquiring sentencing believes to be a correct sentence to the court”); United States information through probation agents does not offend the v. Belgard, 894 F.2d 1092, 1098-99 (9th Cir. 1990) (holding Confrontation Clause, and observing that “most of the (1) that the role of probation officers under the Sentencing information now relied upon by judges to guide them in the Reform Act in investigating offenses for sentencing purposes intelligent imposition of sentences would be unavailable if did not violate separation of powers principles; (2) the information were restricted to that given in open court by probation officer’s performance of her investigation and witnesses subject to cross-examination”); United States v. recommendation functions did not violate due process, Story, 716 F.2d 1088, 1090 (6th Cir. 1983) (holding that a despite the defendant’s contention that the probation officer sentencing court may hold ex parte conferences with a performed judicial decision-making functions that resulted in probation officer). Despite their new, guideline-imposed role, a deprivation of his right to be heard; and (3) the probation however, the probation officers’ obligation to remain neutral officer’s presentence report to the court did not bias the court has not shifted. That does not mean, however, that probation so that it would be unable to sit as a neutral fact finder and officers should not advance a position and provide a render an impartial sentencing decision). Rather, the dispassionate rendition of the facts in support of their neutrality requirement merely reaffirms the principle that the conclusion. Indeed, the obligations imposed on them by Rule probation officer has no fealty to either side, but remains 32 and the Sentencing Guidelines require at least that much. accountable to the court for accurately reporting the facts and the legal conclusions that fairly flow from them in order to Other Circuits that have considered the question have assist the court in discharging its sentencing responsibilities. endorsed the requirement that probation officers must remain See United States v. Jackson, 886 F.2d 838, 844 (7th Cir. as unbiased operators under the Sentencing Guidelines, 1989) (holding that, “[n]otwithstanding the reduced discretion unaligned with either side. See Johnson, 935 F.2d at 49-50 now afforded district judges under the Sentencing Guidelines, (holding that throughout the process of interviewing a the duty and responsibility for imposition of sentence has not defendant, preparing a presentence report, and discussing the shifted from district judges to probation officers”). No. 02-5546 United States v. Espalin 13 14 United States v. Espalin No. 02-5546

The defendant cites United States v. Sifuentez, 30 F.3d 1047 embroiled in a sentencing issue, just as there are cases in (9th Cir. 1994), in support of his claim that the probation which a judge’s impartiality could be questioned. In those officer acted improperly in this case. In that case, the instances, the probation officer’s service to the court would probation officer responded to the defendant’s argument that not be helpful, since there would be reason to doubt the he was entitled to a downward departure from the sentencing quality of the information coming to the court on which guidelines by writing an addendum to the PSR, which stated: sentencing decisions are based. When a probation officer deliberately omits or mischaracterizes relevant facts, or Defendant’s count of conviction . . . reveals that intentionally misstates the law, or has an interest in the defendant possessed drugs while in prison. It is our outcome of the case or some other conflict of interest, there opinion that defendant’s possession of drugs in prison likely would be a basis to question the probation officer’s jeopardized the safety and security of the institutional objectivity. Similarly, if the probation officer excludes or staff and inmates . . . . Defense counsel also contends ignores competing arguments, he or she would not be doing that the mandatory sentence of 120 months for the job expected by the sentencing court. But even then, the [defendant’s] prior felony conviction is a factor strongly adversary system contains safeguards that protect the supporting a downward departure. We disagree. This defendant’s interest in bringing forth facts that give an sentence should have been a deterrence for [defendant] accurate picture to the sentencing judge. See Fed. R. Crim. P. preventing further criminal activity. However, this does 32(f)(1) (2002) (allowing the parties to “state in writing any not appear to be the case as [defendant] continued to objections, including objections to material information, engage in criminal drug activity. sentencing guideline ranges, and policy statements contained in or omitted from the report”); 32(i)(1)(C) (requiring the Id. at 1048 (emphasis added). The defendant argued on sentencing court to “allow the parties’ attorneys to comment appeal that Rule 32 prohibited the probation officer from on the probation officer’s determinations and other matters making or advocating departure recommendations in the relating to an appropriate sentence”). presentence report. The court found that nothing in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(b) (authorizing sentencing departures), the Sentencing A sentencing court is best served by objective, accurate Guidelines, or the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure information from the probation officer. That information will explicitly prohibited departure recommendations in likely be detrimental to the position of one side or the other, presentence reports. Id. at 1049. “While 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) or might even contravene the parties’ stipulations. See, e.g., does require that such reports conform with Rule 32, Rule Woods, 907 F.2d at 1543-44 (where probation officer 32(c) permits, and even expects, that a probation officer will recommended a drug quantity higher than the parties had make a variety of sentencing recommendations, including agreed to). Probation officers ought not be discouraged from those about departures.” Ibid. The court characterized the setting forth such facts. Moreover, making recommendations language in the addendum as “strong” and “com[ing] close to on guideline scoring decisions or departure motions, and crossing the line into impermissible advocacy,” but found the taking a position on unresolved objections, is not only report “acceptable” since it was not “unfair to the defendant.” allowable, it is required by Rule 32. Ordinarily, the Id. at 1049-50. recommendations that are the most useful to the district judge are those that are based on the specific text of the Sentencing I suppose that there could be cases in which the probation Guidelines Manual, including the commentary, and are tied officer oversteps permissible limits by becoming personally to the facts of the case as set forth in the body of the PSR. No. 02-5546 United States v. Espalin 15

Such recommendations may be influential with the court, but not unreasonably so, just as the recommendation of a magistrate judge under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(2)(B) properly may be considered and even adopted by an Article III judge. In such circumstances, the judge conducts a de novo review of the facts and makes an independent finding, informed by the probation officer’s reported facts and stated opinions, which may be challenged by the parties. Cf. Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(i) (2002). Similarly, this court has observed that “[t]he district court must ordinarily rely in considerable measure upon a presentence report, but it is the district court that must make the hard decisions in cases such as this with a wide range of sentencing issues and legal determinations to be made.” United States v. Tocco, 200 F.3d 401, 436 (6th Cir. 2000). In this case, the probation officer informed the court of the possibility of an upward departure, and recommended against a downward departure under USSG § 5K2.13. I understand how this language might sound like advocacy to the defendant, against whom the recommendation went. It is an accusation often leveled at a decision maker by the losing side. Indeed, the probation officer emphasized the facts that were more favorable to the government, but she did so accurately. When the recommendation is based fairly on the facts and dispassionately traces its way through the law to a sensible conclusion, the requirement of neutrality has been met. I agree that the probation officer’s statements did not offend the requirement of neutrality in the context of former Rule 32(c) (now Rule 32(d)).