17‐0653‐cr United States v. Gregory Kurzajczyk
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT
SUMMARY ORDER
RULINGS BY SUMMARY ORDER DO NOT HAVE PRECEDENTIAL EFFECT. CITATION TO A SUMMARY ORDER FILED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2007, IS PERMITTED AND IS GOVERNED BY FEDERAL RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 32.1 AND THIS COURTʹS LOCAL RULE 32.1.1. WHEN CITING A SUMMARY ORDER IN A DOCUMENT FILED WITH THIS COURT, A PARTY MUST CITE EITHER THE FEDERAL APPENDIX OR AN ELECTRONIC DATABASE (WITH THE NOTATION ʺSUMMARY ORDERʺ). A PARTY CITING A SUMMARY ORDER MUST SERVE A COPY OF IT ON ANY PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL.
At a stated term of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, held at the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, 40 Foley Square, in the City of New York, on the 15th day of February, two thousand eighteen.
PRESENT: RALPH K. WINTER, GERARD E. LYNCH, DENNY CHIN, Circuit Judges. ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐x
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Appellee,
v. 17‐0653‐cr
GREGORY KURZAJCZYK, AKA GRZEGORZ KURZAJCZYK, Defendant‐Appellant.
‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐x
FOR APPELLEE: Michael S. Barnett, Carina H. Schoenberger, Assistant United States Attorneys, for Grant C. Jaquith, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, Syracuse, New York.
FOR DEFENDANT‐APPELLANT: Molly K. Corbett, James P. Egan, Assistant Federal Public Defenders, for Lisa A. Peebles, Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of New York, Albany, New York.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of
New York (DʹAgostino, J.).
UPON DUE CONSIDERATION, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED,
ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.
Defendant‐appellant Gregory Kurzajczyk appeals from a judgment
entered January 10, 2017, sentencing him to 72 monthsʹ imprisonment followed by a life
term of supervised release. Kurzajczyk pleaded guilty to a two‐count indictment for
distribution and receipt of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C.
§§ 2252A(a)(2)(A), (b)(1) and 2256(8)(A). We assume the partiesʹ familiarity with the
underlying facts, the procedural history of the case, and the issues on appeal.
Between July 2014 and January 2015, using peer‐to‐peer file sharing
software, undercover law enforcement officers downloaded pictures and videos
depicting child pornography from a computer associated with Kurzajczykʹs residence.
In April 2015, law enforcement officers searched Kurzajczykʹs home pursuant to a
federal search warrant and seized his electronic devices. Forensic analyses of the 2
electronic devices revealed thousands of images depicting child pornography, including
images of children under the age of twelve.
On April 14, 2015, Kurzajczyk was charged by criminal complaint with
distribution of child pornography. Kurzajczyk was released on bond subject to certain
conditions. On June 22, 2016, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging
Kurzajczyk with distribution and receipt of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C.
§ 2252A(a)(2)(A) and (b)(1). On September 2, 2016, Kurzajczyk pleaded guilty to both
counts of the indictment. At the conclusion of the hearing, the district court remanded
Kurzajczyk for, inter alia, violating the conditions of his pre‐trial release. Although he
had been ordered not to possess or use a computer or internet‐capable device, probation
officers found Kurzajczyk in possession of a laptop computer, thumb drive, and
internet‐capable cellular telephone. Kurzajczyk admitted accessing the internet and
using the laptop to transfer adult pornographic images.
The presentence investigation report (the ʺPSRʺ) calculated Kurzajczykʹs
guideline range of imprisonment to be 151‐188 months, based on a total offense level of
34 and a criminal history of category I. The PSR also noted a minimum term of
supervised release of five years with a maximum term of supervised release of life, and
3 that the Sentencing Commission recommends the statutory maximum term of
supervised release when the conviction is a sex offense.
On January 10, 2017, the district court sentenced Kurzajczyk to two
concurrent terms of 72 monthsʹ imprisonment followed by two concurrent life terms of
supervised release. Kurzajczyk filed an untimely notice of appeal on March 2, 2017.
The government moved to dismiss the appeal and Kurzajczyk cross‐moved to remand
for the re‐entry of judgment. After both motions were withdrawn, this Court ordered
Kurzajczykʹs appeal to proceed to briefing.
On appeal, Kurzajczyk argues that the sentence is procedurally
unreasonable because the district court failed to state its reasons for imposing the
maximum term of supervised release. Moreover, he argues the sentence of lifetime
supervised release is substantively unreasonable because it is unduly harsh and
burdensome given Kurzajczykʹs lack of criminal history, his offense characteristics, and
his commitment to treatment.
We review sentencing decisions for procedural and substantive
reasonableness. See United States v. Cavera, 550 F.3d 180, 187 (2d Cir. 2008) (en banc);
United States v. Verkhoglyad, 516 F.3d 122, 127 (2d Cir. 2008). We apply a "deferential
abuse-of-discretion" standard to both procedural and substantive review. Cavera, 550
4 F.3d at 189 (quoting Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 41 (2007)). A sentence is
substantively unreasonable if it "cannot be located within the range of permissible
decisions," id. (quoting United States v. Rigas, 490 F.3d 208, 238 (2d Cir. 2007)), that is, a
sentence is substantively unreasonable if it "shock[s] the conscience," constitutes a
"manifest-injustice," or is otherwise substantively unreasonable, United States v. Rigas,
583 F.3d 108, 123 (2d Cir. 2009).
In sentencing a defendant, a district court must consider the factors set
forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), including the nature and circumstances of the offense; the
history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need for the imposed sentence to
reflect the seriousness of the offense, afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct,
and protect the public from further crimes of the defendant. See 18 U.S.C. § 3583(c). In
setting a term of supervised release after imprisonment, the court must consider all of
these factors, except the factor set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(2)(A) -- the need for the
sentence to reflect "the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to
provide just punishment for the offense." Id. The reason for this difference in
sentencing factors is that "[s]upervised release is not, fundamentally, part of the
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17‐0653‐cr United States v. Gregory Kurzajczyk
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT
SUMMARY ORDER
RULINGS BY SUMMARY ORDER DO NOT HAVE PRECEDENTIAL EFFECT. CITATION TO A SUMMARY ORDER FILED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2007, IS PERMITTED AND IS GOVERNED BY FEDERAL RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 32.1 AND THIS COURTʹS LOCAL RULE 32.1.1. WHEN CITING A SUMMARY ORDER IN A DOCUMENT FILED WITH THIS COURT, A PARTY MUST CITE EITHER THE FEDERAL APPENDIX OR AN ELECTRONIC DATABASE (WITH THE NOTATION ʺSUMMARY ORDERʺ). A PARTY CITING A SUMMARY ORDER MUST SERVE A COPY OF IT ON ANY PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL.
At a stated term of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, held at the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, 40 Foley Square, in the City of New York, on the 15th day of February, two thousand eighteen.
PRESENT: RALPH K. WINTER, GERARD E. LYNCH, DENNY CHIN, Circuit Judges. ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐x
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Appellee,
v. 17‐0653‐cr
GREGORY KURZAJCZYK, AKA GRZEGORZ KURZAJCZYK, Defendant‐Appellant.
‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐x
FOR APPELLEE: Michael S. Barnett, Carina H. Schoenberger, Assistant United States Attorneys, for Grant C. Jaquith, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, Syracuse, New York.
FOR DEFENDANT‐APPELLANT: Molly K. Corbett, James P. Egan, Assistant Federal Public Defenders, for Lisa A. Peebles, Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of New York, Albany, New York.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of
New York (DʹAgostino, J.).
UPON DUE CONSIDERATION, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED,
ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.
Defendant‐appellant Gregory Kurzajczyk appeals from a judgment
entered January 10, 2017, sentencing him to 72 monthsʹ imprisonment followed by a life
term of supervised release. Kurzajczyk pleaded guilty to a two‐count indictment for
distribution and receipt of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C.
§§ 2252A(a)(2)(A), (b)(1) and 2256(8)(A). We assume the partiesʹ familiarity with the
underlying facts, the procedural history of the case, and the issues on appeal.
Between July 2014 and January 2015, using peer‐to‐peer file sharing
software, undercover law enforcement officers downloaded pictures and videos
depicting child pornography from a computer associated with Kurzajczykʹs residence.
In April 2015, law enforcement officers searched Kurzajczykʹs home pursuant to a
federal search warrant and seized his electronic devices. Forensic analyses of the 2
electronic devices revealed thousands of images depicting child pornography, including
images of children under the age of twelve.
On April 14, 2015, Kurzajczyk was charged by criminal complaint with
distribution of child pornography. Kurzajczyk was released on bond subject to certain
conditions. On June 22, 2016, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging
Kurzajczyk with distribution and receipt of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C.
§ 2252A(a)(2)(A) and (b)(1). On September 2, 2016, Kurzajczyk pleaded guilty to both
counts of the indictment. At the conclusion of the hearing, the district court remanded
Kurzajczyk for, inter alia, violating the conditions of his pre‐trial release. Although he
had been ordered not to possess or use a computer or internet‐capable device, probation
officers found Kurzajczyk in possession of a laptop computer, thumb drive, and
internet‐capable cellular telephone. Kurzajczyk admitted accessing the internet and
using the laptop to transfer adult pornographic images.
The presentence investigation report (the ʺPSRʺ) calculated Kurzajczykʹs
guideline range of imprisonment to be 151‐188 months, based on a total offense level of
34 and a criminal history of category I. The PSR also noted a minimum term of
supervised release of five years with a maximum term of supervised release of life, and
3 that the Sentencing Commission recommends the statutory maximum term of
supervised release when the conviction is a sex offense.
On January 10, 2017, the district court sentenced Kurzajczyk to two
concurrent terms of 72 monthsʹ imprisonment followed by two concurrent life terms of
supervised release. Kurzajczyk filed an untimely notice of appeal on March 2, 2017.
The government moved to dismiss the appeal and Kurzajczyk cross‐moved to remand
for the re‐entry of judgment. After both motions were withdrawn, this Court ordered
Kurzajczykʹs appeal to proceed to briefing.
On appeal, Kurzajczyk argues that the sentence is procedurally
unreasonable because the district court failed to state its reasons for imposing the
maximum term of supervised release. Moreover, he argues the sentence of lifetime
supervised release is substantively unreasonable because it is unduly harsh and
burdensome given Kurzajczykʹs lack of criminal history, his offense characteristics, and
his commitment to treatment.
We review sentencing decisions for procedural and substantive
reasonableness. See United States v. Cavera, 550 F.3d 180, 187 (2d Cir. 2008) (en banc);
United States v. Verkhoglyad, 516 F.3d 122, 127 (2d Cir. 2008). We apply a "deferential
abuse-of-discretion" standard to both procedural and substantive review. Cavera, 550
4 F.3d at 189 (quoting Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 41 (2007)). A sentence is
substantively unreasonable if it "cannot be located within the range of permissible
decisions," id. (quoting United States v. Rigas, 490 F.3d 208, 238 (2d Cir. 2007)), that is, a
sentence is substantively unreasonable if it "shock[s] the conscience," constitutes a
"manifest-injustice," or is otherwise substantively unreasonable, United States v. Rigas,
583 F.3d 108, 123 (2d Cir. 2009).
In sentencing a defendant, a district court must consider the factors set
forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), including the nature and circumstances of the offense; the
history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need for the imposed sentence to
reflect the seriousness of the offense, afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct,
and protect the public from further crimes of the defendant. See 18 U.S.C. § 3583(c). In
setting a term of supervised release after imprisonment, the court must consider all of
these factors, except the factor set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(2)(A) -- the need for the
sentence to reflect "the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to
provide just punishment for the offense." Id. The reason for this difference in
sentencing factors is that "[s]upervised release is not, fundamentally, part of the
punishment; rather its focus is rehabilitation." United States v. Aldeen, 792 F.3d 247, 252
(2d Cir. 2015); see also United States v. Burden, 860 F.3d 45, 56 (2d Cir. 2017) (per curiam)
(explaining that Congress's omission of the § 3553(a)(2)(A) factor accords with the
purposes of supervised release to fulfill rehabilitative ends).
5 The district court must state the reasons for its imposition of the sentence
in open court. 18 U.S.C. § 3553(c). The failure to adequately explain its chosen sentence
may constitute procedural error. Cavera, 550 F.3d at 190. These concepts apply to both
terms of imprisonment and supervised release. See Aldeen, 792 F.3d at 252.
Because Kurzajczyk did not raise his arguments during the sentencing
proceeding, we review the sentencing decision of the district court for plain error.
United States v. Alvarado, 720 F.3d 153, 157 (2d Cir. 2013) (per curiam) (ʺWhere, as here, a
defendant contests the procedural reasonableness of his sentence on appeal, but did not
raise his objections before the district court, we review for plain error.ʺ) (citation
omitted). ʺA finding of ʹplain errorʹ requires that: (1) there is an error; (2) the error is
clear or obvious, rather than subject to reasonable dispute; (3) the error affected the
appellantʹs substantial rights, which in the ordinary case means it affected the outcome
of the district court proceedings; and (4) the error seriously affects the fairness, integrity
or public reputation of judicial proceedings.ʺ Id. (citation omitted).
The district court did not commit plain error in determining its sentence
because it adequately considered the applicable § 3553(a) factors. The court stated in
open court that it considered the PSR, addendum, submissions by counsel, the
Sentencing Guidelines, and the § 3553(a) factors. The court adopted ʺthe factual
6 information and the guideline applications contained in the [PSR],ʺ without objection
from defense counsel. Appʹx at 75. Additionally, the court enumerated specific reasons
for its decision, including: ʺthe advanced age of [Kurzajczyk], his lack of criminal
history, his family circumstances and his medical conditions,ʺ as well as his ʺconduct,
which includes the distribution and receipt of child pornography including images and
videos depicting prepubescent minors and sadistic and masochistic conduct
demonstrat[ing] that he does have a sexual interest in children and this warrants a
substantial sentence above the mandatory minimum.ʺ Appʹx at 76‐77. The court
concluded that ʺthe sentence to be imposed is sufficient but not greater than necessary
to meet the goals of sentencing outlined in Section 3553(a), including the need for the
sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law and
provide just punishment for the offense, for a deterrence to criminal conduct and to
protect the public from further crimes.ʺ Appʹx at 77. With respect to the special
conditions of supervised release, the court noted that they were ʺnecessary and justified
in this case based on the nature of the instant offense, as well as the history and
characteristics of the defendant as outlined in detail in the [PSR].ʺ Appʹx at 78.
The district courtʹs stated reasons for the sentence applied to the entire
sentence, not just imprisonment, as Kurzajczyk argues. We do not require that the
7 district court separately justify each component of a sentence, but rather that it look at
the decision holistically. See Cavera, 550 F.3d at 193 (noting ʺwe do not require ʹrobotic
incantationsʹʺ or ʺformulaic or ritualized burdensʺ). It is clear from the record that the
district court considered the relevant factors outlined above in imposing both the prison
sentence and term of supervised release. With respect to supervised release, the district
court remarked on the nature of the offense and the defendantʹs history and
characteristics, which adequately explains the decision using permissible factors.
Accordingly, Kurzajczyk has not demonstrated any error, let alone plain error, and this
sentence was procedurally reasonable.
We further find the sentence substantively reasonable. First, a life term of
supervision for this type of crime is permitted under the statute and the Sentencing
Guidelines. See 18 U.S.C. § 3583(k); U.S.S.G. § 5D1.2(b)(2) (policy statement). Second,
the Guidelines recommend a life term of supervised release for sex offenses, U.S.S.G.
§ 5D1.2(b)(2) (policy statement), which includes distribution of child pornography,
U.S.S.G. § 5D1.2 cmt. n.1. Third, congressional reports indicate high rates of recidivism
for sex offenders as a reason to recommend lifetime supervised release. See H.R. Rep.
No. 107‐527, at 2 (2002). Finally, we have consistently affirmed life terms of supervised
release for similar crimes. See, e.g., United States v. Hayes, 445 F.3d 536, 537 (2d Cir. 2006)
8 (affirming lifetime supervised release sentence for defendant convicted of distributing
child pornography). We conclude that the life term of supervised release here was
substantively reasonable.
. . .
We have considered Kurzajczykʹs remaining arguments and find them to
be without merit. Accordingly, we AFFIRM the district courtʹs judgment.
FOR THE COURT: Catherine OʹHagan Wolfe, Clerk of Court