United States v. Joseph

76 F. App'x 422
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Third Circuit
DecidedSeptember 24, 2003
Docket03-1595
StatusUnpublished

This text of 76 F. App'x 422 (United States v. Joseph) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Joseph, 76 F. App'x 422 (3d Cir. 2003).

Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

SMITH, Circuit Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

Appellant Alton Edward Joseph appeals his sentence for interstate transportation of explosives without a license, arguing that the District Court erred in assessing two criminal history points for his Massachusetts conviction on two counts of larceny, and that the Court should not have increased his offense level by two levels for stolen explosives, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2K1.3(b)(2).

II. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Joseph served as a supply clerk for the United States Army from 1975 to 1978, where he had access to a military plastic explosive, C-4. During this time, Joseph took from the Army fifteen one and a half pound blocks of C-4. He maintained possession of fourteen blocks of C-4 and gave his brother-in-law one block in the 1980s.

On July 15, 1997 Joseph was charged in Massachusetts with two criminal counts of larceny over $250 and larceny by false pretenses, both unrelated to the matter now before us. Joseph admitted to sufficient facts for a finding of guilt. The court, however, did not actually adjudicate Joseph guilty at that time. Instead, the court imposed a probationary period and restitution in the amount of $53,225.41. Joseph was found to be non-compliant with his probation requirements in September 1997. A summons for this probation violation was issued in June 1998.

In early March 2001, Joseph transported the remaining fourteen blocks of C-4 from Maine to Delaware. In an attempt to avoid extradition, Joseph constructed a scheme by which he attempted to falsely implicate a third person for possession of the C-4. Joseph contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (“ATF”) in an attempt to provide them with information about the C-4, in exchange for assistance with his Massachusetts extradition proceedings. Upon discovering Joseph’s *424 scheme, the ATF ceased contact with Joseph and he was extradited to Massachusetts.

On August 9, 2001, Joseph appeared in Massachusetts pursuant to the warrant for violation of probation. The Massachusetts court revoked his probation, found him guilty on both larceny counts, and sentenced him to two and a half years incarceration, one year to be served in custody, followed by 18 months probation. Pursuant to Joseph’s motion to revise his sentence, the court reduced the sentence to one year on each count, to be served concurrently.

With respect to his possession and transportation of the C-4, pursuant to a plea agreement, Joseph pleaded guilty to Count III of a three count indictment— interstate transportation of explosive materials without a license in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 842(a)(3)(A) and § 844(a). As part of the plea agreement, the government agreed to move to dismiss the remaining counts of the indictment, which charged Joseph with being a felon in possession of explosives and possession of stolen explosive materials. The plea agreement also provided that the government would not oppose a three point reduction in Joseph’s offense level for acceptance of responsibility. Finally, the government agreed that U.S.S.G. § 2K1.3(b)(3), which relates to possession of explosive materials in connection with another felony offense, was inapplicable, and that the government would not seek an upward departure on that basis.

The presentence report assigned Joseph a base offense level of sixteen, because he was a “prohibited person” under U.S.S.G. § 2K1.3, specifically a convicted felon, at the time he possessed explosive material. The presentence report also recommended that, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2K1.3 (b)(2), Joseph’s offense level should be increased by two levels because the offense involved explosive material that he knew or had reason to believe was stolen. Subtracting three levels for acceptance of responsibility, the report assigned Joseph a total offense level of fifteen. With respect to Joseph’s criminal history category, the presentence report assessed two points for a Massachusetts state court conviction for two counts of larceny, three points for a New Hampshire state court conviction for tampering with public or private records, and two additional points because the instant offense was committed less than two years following Joseph’s release from custody for the New Hampshire conviction. Accordingly, Joseph accrued seven criminal history points, which placed him in criminal history category IV. Based on an offense level of fifteen and a criminal history category of IV, the applicable guidelines range was thirty to thirty-seven months imprisonment. The District Court sentenced Joseph to thirty months imprisonment.

II. JURISDICTION

The District Court had subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3231. We exercise jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291.

III. STANDARD OF REVIEW

We review the District Court’s interpretation of the Sentencing Guidelines de novo. United States v. Amster, 193 F.3d 779 (3d Cir.1999). We reverse the District Court’s underlying findings of fact only where they are clearly erroneous. United States v. Cherry, 10 F.3d 1003, 1009 (3d Cir.1993).

IV. DISCUSSION

Joseph raises two issues on appeal. First, he asserts that the District Court erred in assessing two criminal history *425 points for Ms Massachusetts conviction on two counts of larceny. Second, Joseph argues that the Court should not have Mcreased Ms offense level by two levels for stolen explosives, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2K1.3(b)(2). Because Joseph’s arguments lack merit, we will affirm the judgment of the District Court.

With respect to Joseph’s prior larceny conviction, defense counsel conceded that Joseph admitted facts sufficient to establish guilt, but contended that, because the state court mitially did not make a findmg of guilt, tMs process constituted a “diversionary proceedmg without a finding of guilt” that may not be a basis for inclusion in a criminal Mstory calculation under U.S.S.G. § 4K1.1.

The government countered that, although a diversion from the judicial process without a findmg of guilt would not be counted under the Sentencing Guidelines, a diversionary disposition resulting from a findmg or admission of guilt would be included in the criminal Mstory calculation. The record reflects that on July 25, 1998, Joseph was in violation of the terms of Ms probation. On August 9, 2001 the Massachusetts court’s docket reflects entry of a guilty finding.

After hearing argument on tMs issue at sentencing, the District Court stated that:

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Related

United States v. James Clifton Cherry
10 F.3d 1003 (Third Circuit, 1993)
United States v. Scott Amster
193 F.3d 779 (Third Circuit, 1999)

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Bluebook (online)
76 F. App'x 422, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-joseph-ca3-2003.