United States v. Stephenson

950 F. Supp. 2d 1, 2013 WL 3146769, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 87337

• Court: District Court, District of Columbia
• Decided: February 15, 2013
• Docket: Criminal No. 02-162
• Status: Published

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

ROYCE C. LAMBERTH, Chief Judge.

Before the Court is defendant Earldy Stephenson’s Motion [199] to Further Reduce Sentence pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) and Amendment 706, Motion [215] to Reduce Sentence pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) and Amendment 750, and Motion [225] for Hearing on defendant’s Motions to Reduce Sentence. Upon consideration of defendant’s motions [199, 215] to Reduce Sentence, the government’s Partial Opposition [218], defendant’s Reply [218], the government’s Sur-Reply [222], defendant’s Response to the government’s Sur-Reply [224], defendant’s Motion for Hearing [225], the entire record herein, the applicable law, and for the reasons set forth below, defendant’s motions to reduce his sentence will be GRANTED in part and DENIED in part, and his motion for a hearing will be DENIED. Defendant’s sentence will be reduced to a term of 168 months imprisonment, but all other relief will be denied.

I. BACKGROUND

In 2002, pursuant to a written plea agreement, defendant pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute 5,000 Grams or More of Cocaine, 50 Grams or More of Cocaine Base, and Marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(l)(A)(iii). Presentencing Investigation Report (“PSR”) ¶¶ 1-2, Am. Nov. 1, 2002; Am. J. & Commitment Order 1, ECF No. 107. Defendant was convicted of an intent to distribute a total of 1.5 kilograms of cocaine base, 5 kilograms of cocaine hydrocholoride, and 2.5 kilograms of marijuana, which, when converted to its marijuana equivalency, yielded a total of 31,002.5 kilograms of marijuana. PSR ¶ 3, 26. After applicable adjustments, defendant’s guideline range was 262 to 327 months imprisonment (total offense level 37; criminal history category III). Am. J. 6. The conviction also carried a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. PSR ¶ 2. On February 6, 2003, the Honorable Ricardo M. Urbina, pursuant to United States v. Smith,1 departed downward from the bottom of the guideline range by 42 months and sentenced defendant to 220 months imprisonment and 60 months supervised release. Am. J. 2-3, 6; Gov’t’s Partial Opp’n, 2, Oct. 19, 2011, ECF No. 216.

Since defendant was sentenced, the United States Sentencing Commission (“Commission”) has twice amended the Sentencing Guidelines (“Guidelines”) to lower the base offense levels for crack cocaine offenses. See Dillon v. United States, 560 U.S. 817, 130 S.Ct. 2683, 2688, 177 L.Ed.2d 271 (2010). In 2008, Amendment 706 retroactively lowered defendant’s applicable guideline range from 262 to 327 months to 210 to 262 months imprisonment (offense level 35, criminal history category II). USSG § 2D1.1 (2008). Defendant filed a motion to reduce sentence, and Judge Urbina, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) and Amendment 706, reduced defendant’s sentence to 172 months — 38 months below the then-amended guideline range. Def.’s Mot. Retroactive 1, ECF No. 198; Order 1, ECF No. 201. One month later, defendant filed a motion to further reduce his sentence to the statutory mandatory minimum of 120 months, but that motion was held in abeyance and has not been ruled upon. Def.’s Mot. Further Reduce 1-2, ECF No. 199; Mot. Abeyance 1, ECF No. 212; Order on Abeyance 1, ECF No. 213.

In 2010, Congress lowered the statutory mandatory minimum sentences for crack cocaine offenses in the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 (“FSA”), Pub. L. No. 111-220, 124 Stat. 2372. In 2011, the Commission responded to the FSA and issued Amendment 750, which again retroactively lowered . defendant’s applicable guideline range from 210 to 262 months to 168 to 210 months (offense level 33, criminal history category III). See USSG § lB1.10(c), cmt. n. 4 (2012); Dep’t of Just. Manual Comment 9-27.710A.

In light of these developments, defendant filed a new motion seeking a further reduction of his sentence to time served. Mot. Reduce 1-2, ECF No. 215. Defendant argues he is entitled to a reduced sentence of time served because such a reduction would mirror his original sentence, which included a 42-month downward departure from the then-applicable guideline range. Id. The government does not oppose a sentence reduction to 168 months imprisonment — the bottom of the amended guideline range — but does oppose any further reduction, arguing that section 1B1.10(b)(2) of the Guidelines does not permit this Court to reduce defendant’s sentence below the bottom of the amended range.² Gov’t’s Partial Opp’n 1, 9, Oct. 19, 2011, ECF No. 216. Defendant’s Reply challenges the validity of section lB1.10(b)(2) as recently amended, claiming the section may not lawfully be applied because it violates the Sentencing Reform Act and separation of powers principles, and because it was amended and promulgated without properly adhering to the Administrative Procedures Act’s (“APA”) notice-and-comment requirements. Def.’s Reply, 3, Oct. 26, 2011, ECF No. 218. The government rejects defendant’s contentions and maintains that section lB1.10(b)(2) is binding on this Court, pointing to defendant’s failure to cite any opinion by any court adopting any of his arguments. Gov’t’s Sur-Rep., 1-2, Nov. 17, 2011, ECF No. 222.

II. ANALYSIS

A. Defendant’s Eligibility for a Reduced Sentence Pursuant to § 8582(c)(2).

Federal courts generally do not have authority to modify a sentence once it has been imposed, but this rule of finality is subject to a few narrow exceptions — including a statutory exception under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2). Freeman v. United States, — U.S. -, 131 S.Ct. 2685, 2690-91, 180 L.Ed.2d 519 (2011) (citing 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)). Section 3582(c)(2) gives a district court jurisdiction and discretion to reduce a defendant’s sentence if the defendant’s sentence was “based on” a Guidelines sentencing range that has been subsequently lowered by the Sentencing Commission, and if such a reduction is “consistent with applicable policy statements issued by the Sentencing Commission” in section 1B1.10 of the Guidelines. 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2); USSG § 1B1.10. In 2010, the Supreme Court affirmed in Dillon v. United States that, by the plain language of § 3582(c)(2), section lBl.lO’s policy statements are binding on federal courts. 560 U.S. 817, 130 S.Ct. 2683, 2687, 177 L.Ed.2d 271 (2010). Section lB1.10(b) prohibits a court from reducing a defendant’s sentence to a term “less than the minimum of the amended guideline range.” USSG § lB1.10(b)(2)(A). The only exception to this prohibition is when the original downward departure was made “pursuant to a government motion to reflect the defendant’s substantial assistance to authorities.” USSG § lB1.10(b)(2)(B) (2012).

Because defendant’s original sentence was “based on” a Guidelines range, and because the applicable amended range under Amendment 750 is retroactive per section 1B1.10 of the Guidelines, defendant is eligible for a sentence reduction pursuant to § 3582(c)(2). USSG § 1B1.10; 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2). Amendment 750 reduces defendant’s applicable sentencing range to 168 to 210 months (offense level 33, criminal history category III). Pursuant to lB1.10(b), the greatest sentence reduction defendant is eligible for is 168 months because his original downward departure was not given pursuant to a government motion to reflect the defendant’s substantial assistance to authorities. See USSG § lB1.10(b)(2)(B).

Granting a sentence reduction is within the court’s discretion, but in order to determine whether a reduction is warranted, § 3582(c)(2) and section 1B1.10 of the Guidelines require the court to consider several specific factors. Dillon, 130 S.Ct. at 2692; USSG § 1B1.10 cmt. n. l(B)(i). First, a court must consider how the amended guideline range would have been applicable to the defendant if the range had been in effect at the time the defendant was originally sentenced. USSG § lB1.10(b)(l). Second, § 3582(c)(2) requires the court to consider factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) to the extent each factor is applicable.³ 18 U.S.C. (c)(2); USSG § 1B1.10 cmt. n. 6. A court may also consider the defendant’s post-sentencing conduct and the negative effect a sentence reduction may have on the community. USSG § 1B1.10 cmt. n. l(B)(ii)-(iii).

The defendant insists that his sentence be reduced to time served. However, precedent is clear: this Court is prohibited by section lB1.10(b)(2) from reducing defendant’s sentence to time served. USSG § lB1.10(b)(2)(A)-(B); Dillon, 130 S.Ct. at 2690-92. As the government does not oppose a sentence reduction to 168 months imprisonment, and as no evidence has been brought to this Court’s attention to discourage such a reduction, this Court is willing to reduce defendant’s sentence to 168 months imprisonment. Thus, defendant’s motions to reduce sentence to time served must be denied. However, because the government does not opposed a sentence reduction of 168 months imprisonment, this Court will reduce defendant’s sentence to 168 months imprisonment.

B. Sentencing Reform Act Violation Claim

Defendant contends that section lB1.10(b) as amended is invalid and should not be applied in his case because lB1.10(b)’s terms violate the Sentencing Reform Act (“SRA”) by “interfer[ing]” with the original sentence’s departures or variances — a power Congress did not grant to the Commission. Def.’s Reply 5-8. Defendant is unable to cite any authority adopting this position; indeed, to this Court’s knowledge, every circuit to consider defendant’s argument has upheld section lB1.10(b)’s validity. See, e.g., United States v. Berberena, 694 F.3d 514, 523-26 (3d Cir.2012); United States v. Horn, 679 F.3d 397, 401, 404-09 (6th Cir.2012); United States v. Harris, 688 F.3d 950, 957 (8th Cir.2012) (“Every circuit that has considered [the argument] has held that ‘[the] statutory provisions [in 28 U.S.C. § 994 and 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) ] are a sufficient delegation’ of Congress’s authority to the Sentencing Commission.”); United States v. Garcia, 655 F.3d 426, 434-35 (5th Cir.2011).

The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 created the Sentencing Commission as an independent agency within the judicial branch, and the Commission derives its authority from the Act. See Mistretta v. United States, 488 U.S. 361, 362, 368, 109 S.Ct. 647, 102 L.Ed.2d 714 (1989); 28 U.S.C. § 991. The Commission has specific authority to limit sentence reductions pursuant to three statutory provisions: 28 U.S.C. §§ 994(a), 994(u), and 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2). U.S. v. Strain, 504 Fed.Appx. 174, 176 (3d Cir.2012). Section 994(u) of the Sentencing Reform Act requires the Commission to specify to what extent sentences may be reduced based on retroactive amendments, § 994(a)(2)(C) requires that this specification be in the form of a policy statement, and 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) makes those policy statements binding. Id. (citation omitted).

Section lB1.10(b) of the Guidelines was amended pursuant to § 994(u) of the Sentencing Reform Act, in which Congress granted the Commission the authority to “specify in what circumstances and by what amount ... sentences ... may be reduced.” 28 U.S.C. § 994(u); see Berberena, 694 F.3d at 520. In 2011, when the Commission amended section 1B1.10(b) to prohibit a sentence reduction below the amended guideline range (except when the original departure was pursuant to a government motion under section 5K1.1 of the Guidelines), the Commission was indicating “by what amount” sentences may be reduced on the basis of retroactive amendments. Id. at 520. Thus, the Commission’s amendment to section lB1.10(b) fell well within its statutory authority, as the Commission specified “the circumstances and by what amount” a sentence may be reduced. Id. at 526; 28 U.S.C. § 994(u).

Nowhere in the SRA does Congress require the Commission to ensure that a sentence reduction mirror the departures or variances of the original sentence, nor does Congress require the Commission to give judges any tools of departure or variance to use when reducing a sentence. Berberena, 694 F.3d at 521; see also Horn, 679 F.3d at 401-02. In United States v. Anderson, the Eighth Circuit considered whether the Commission lacked authority to “interfere with the structure of the district court’s sentence” by preventing a court from applying downward departures and variances’ imposed at the initial sentencing, as defendant presently argues. 686 F.3d 585, 589 (8th Cir.2012). The court found that such an argument was “unconvincing” and noted that the Supreme Court had indicated that a sentence reduction under § 3582(c)(2) is not a “plenary resentencing” but instead operates as “a narrow exception to the rule of finality” that “permits a sentence reduction within the narrow bounds established by the Commission.” Id. at 589 (citing Dillon v. United States, 560 U.S. 817, 130 S.Ct. 2683, 2692, 2694, 177 L.Ed.2d 271 (2010)). The unfettered judicial discretion that defendant seeks to preserve is at odds with the plain language of 28 U.S.C. §§ 994(u), 994(a), and 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2), which is indicative of Congress’s explicit intent. See Berberena, 694 F.3d at 522. Thus, section IB 1.10(b) as amended does not violate the Sentencing Reform Act, and defendant’s contention is without merit.

C. Administrative Procedures Act Violation Claim

Defendant'also claims that section lB1.10(b) as amended violates “bedrock principles of administrative law” because the Commission’s policy statement that amended lB1.10(b) is binding on courts despite the fact that it was not promulgated subject to the Administrative Procedures Act’s (“APA”) notice-and-comment requirements. Def.’s Reply 12-16. Again, defendant is unable to cite any authority adopting this position, and to this Court’s knowledge, every circuit to consider defendant’s argument has upheld section lB1.10(b)’s validity against an APA challenge. See, e.g., United States v. Johnson, 703 F.3d 464, 466-69 (8th Cir.2013); Berberena, 694 F.3d at 525-27; Horn, 679 F.3d at 403-07; U.S. v. Fox, 631 F.3d 1128, 1131 (9th Cir.2011).

In the SRA, Congress explicitly placed the Commission in the judicial branch, 28 U.S.C. § 991(a) (establishing the Commission “as an independent commission in the judicial branch of the United States”), and the Supreme Court later approved of the Commission’s location. Mistretta, 488 U.S. at 391, 109 S.Ct. 647. Because the Commission is an agency within the judicial branch, it is not required to abide by the APA. Berberena, 694 F.3d at 526; 5 U.S.C. § 701(a)-(b)(l)(B). Further, Congress has explicitly stated that the Commission is not subject to the APA’s notice- and-comment requirements when issuing policy statements. Id.; Johnson, 703 F.3d at 466-68 (citing S. Rep. No. 98-225 at 180-81 (1983), reprinted in 1984 U.S.C.C.A.N. 3182, 3363-64); see also Wash. Legal Found. v. United States Sentencing Comm’n, 17 F.3d 1446, 1450 (D.C.Cir.1994). Even if the Commission’s policy statements were subject to the APA, defendant’s contention would still be moot because it was Congress, not the Commission, that made section 1B1.10 binding, and Congress is certainly not subject to the APA. Berberena, 694 F.3d at 527; see also Horn, 679 F.3d at 404 (“Section 3582(c)(2) says nothing about a district court’s obligation to follow the Commission’s guidelines regarding retroactivity[,]” which are subject to the APA, “it only mentions policy statements[,]” which are explicitly not subject to the APA; thus, it is Congress’s authority that makes the policy statements binding.).

Moreover, even though the Commission’s policy statements are not subject to the APA’s notice-and-comment requirements, the Commission still solicited public views about lB1.10(b)’s limitation on sentence reductions and announced its decision to make the limitation more stringent after a public hearing on the issue. Berberena, 694 F.3d at 525 (citing 76 Fed.Reg. 24960 (May 3, 2011); U.S. Sentencing Comm’n, Public Meeting Minutes (June 30, 2011), available at http://www.ussc.gov/ Legislative_and_Public_Affairs/Public_ Hearings_ancLMeetings/20110630/ Meeting_Minutes.pdf.). Thus, this Court agrees with its sister circuits and finds that the Commission was not required to comply with the APA’s notice-and-comment requirements when it issued the binding policy statements that amended section lB1.10(b) of the Guidelines.

D. Separation of Powers Violation Claim

Finally, defendant challenges the validity of section 1B1.10(b) as amended on the premise that the amendment to lB1.10(b) violates separation of powers principles because it was promulgated by a policy statement that was binding like a guideline,⁴ *but which, unlike a guideline, was not subject to either the notice-and-comment requirements of the APA or the 180-day notice period for Congress’s review,⁵ resulting in a usurpation of legislative power to make law, a usurpation of judicial authority to craft sentences, and a lack of political accountability. Def.’s Reply 11-27. Again, defendant fails to cite any authority adopting this position, and to this Court’s knowledge, every circuit to consider defendant’s argument has rejected it. See, e.g., Johnson, 703 F.3d at 466-68; Berberena, 694 F.3d at 525-27; Horn, 679 F.3d at 404-09; Fox, 631 F.3d at 1131.

The nondelegation doctrine, rooted in the separation of powers principle that underlies our tripartite system of government, generally prevents Congress from delegating its legislative power to another branch. Berberena, 694 F.3d at 523 (citation omitted). However, a delegation of legislative power is permissible if Congress “lay[s] down by legislative act an intelligible principle to which the person or body authorized to- [exercise that delegated authority] is directed to conform.” Id. (citing omitted). Further, Congress need not expressly authorize every exercise of such delegated authority, as the Supreme Court has “upheld ... Congress’s ability to delegate power under broad standards.” Id. (citation omitted). The intelligible principle is “easily met,” and the Supreme Court in Mistretta found that Congress had appropriately “delineate[d] the general policy, the public agency which is to apply it, and the boundaries of this delegated authority” when it gave the Commission its authority — including its power under 28 U.S.C. § 994(u) to limit the extent of sentence reductions. Id. at 524 (citing Mistretta, 488 U.S. at 373, 109 S.Ct. 647). The Supreme Court also noted that all of the Commission’s members were subject to presidential removal, the members included individuals who were not part of the judiciary, and the Commission’s power was limited by Congress’s ability to revoke or amend the guidelines and policy statements “at any time,” preventing the Commission from usurping legislative or judicial authority as well as ensuring accountability to Congress. Anderson, 686 F.3d at 590 (citing Mistretta, 488 U.S. at 393-94, 109 S.Ct. 647). The Mistretta Court concluded that even though the Commission’s policy statements are not subject to either the 180-day waiting period or the APA’s notice-and-comment requirements, the Commission’s authority does not violate separation of powers principles because the Commission is an independent agency subject to the will of Congress. Id. at 525; see also Horn, 679 F.3d at 404-09; Fox, 631 F.3d at 1131.

Though section 1B1.10(b) constrains judges’ discretion when entertaining § 3582(c)(2) motions to reduce sentences, it was Congress, not the Commission alone, that bound courts to the limitations in section lB1.10(b), and Congress has the authority to restrict the judiciary’s discretion in fashioning sentences as is evidenced by 18 U.S.C. § 3583(c)(2). Berberena, 694 F.3d at 525; see also United States v. Sapp, 494 Fed.Appx. 274-76 (3d Cir.2012) (“[T]he language of § 3582(c)(2) itself explicitly cabins a court’s discretion by requiring it to follow the ‘applicable policy statements’ of the Sentencing Commission.”). Further, § 3582(c)(2) does not require a district court to grant a sentence reduction, but leaves it in the discretion of each district court to determine whether a reduction is warranted in whole or in part under the particular circumstances of the case. Johnson, 703 F.3d at 470-71. Thus, a sentence reduction pursuant to § 3582(c)(2) is merely a benefit and not some protected entitlement. Id. Therefore, the Commission clearly is not constraining judicial authority in violation of the separation of powers. See id.

Because Congress validly delegated authority to the Commission to make policy decisions pursuant to an “intelligible principle,” drafted the statute that made those policy decisions binding on the courts, and retained the power to legislate over the policy decisions, the amendment to section lB1.10(b) of the Guidelines does not violate separation of powers principles and is applicable to defendant’s case. See Berberena, 694 F.3d at 525.

III. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons defendant’s Motion [225] for Hearing on defendant’s Motion to Reduce Sentence is DENIED, and defendant’s Motions [199, 215] to Reduce Sentence are GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. Defendant’s sentence will be reduced to a term of 168 months imprisonment. A separate Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion shall issue this date.

1 . 27 F.3d 649 (D.C.Cir.1994) (holding that a ' downwárd departure from a recommended guideline range may be appropriate if defendaint’s status as a deportable alien is likely to cause a fortuitous increase in the severity of his confinement).

2 . In 2011, the Commission adopted Amendment 759, which amended section 1B1.10(b) of the Guidelines. See United States v. Anderson, 488 Fed.Appx. 129, 130-31 (7th Cir.2012). Prior to its 2011 amendment, section IB 1.10(b) gave judges discretion to reduce a sentence below the amended guideline range only if the defendant had received a comparable downward departure from the then-applicable guideline range when originally sentenced. USSG § 1B1.10(b)(1)(B) (2007). Section 1B1.10(b) now permits a departure below the bottom of the amended range only when an original departure was granted pursuant to a government motion to reflect the defendant's substantial assistance to authorities. USSG § lB1.10(b)(2)(A)-(B) (2012).

3 . In relevant part:

(a) ... The court, in determining the particular sentence to be imposed, shall consider—

(1) the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant;

(2) the need for the sentence imposed — •

(A) to reflect .the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense;

(B) to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct;

(C) to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and

(D) to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner; ...

(6) the need to avoid unwarranted sentence disparities among defendants with similar records who have been found guilty of similar conduct;....

18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(l)-(2), (6).

4 . Amendments to section IB 1.10(b), though policy statements, are binding on courts pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 994(a)(2) and 994(u). Dillon, 130 S.Ct. at 2687-2692.

5 . Only guidelines are required to abide by the APA’s requirements. 28 U.S.C. § 994(x); see United States v. Lopez, 938 F.2d 1293, 1297 (D.C.Cir.1991); Wash. Legal Found., 17 F.3d at 1450.