United States v. Joe Johnson ( 2010 )

[DO NOT PUBLISH]
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
________________________ FILED
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
No. 09-14605 ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
MARCH 2, 2010
Non-Argument Calendar
JOHN LEY
________________________
CLERK
D. C. Docket No. 09-00003-CR-AAA-4
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
JOE JOHNSON,
Defendant-Appellant.
________________________
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Southern District of Georgia
_________________________
(March 2, 2010)
Before BARKETT, HULL and KRAVITCH, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:
Joe Johnson appeals his 115-month sentence, imposed following his guilty
plea to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. We affirm.
Pursuant to a written plea agreement, Johnson pleaded guilty to possession
of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). According to
the presentence investigation report (“PSI”), police obtained a search warrant for
the home Johnson shared with his girlfriend. Upon executing the warrant, police
found a firearm that had been reported stolen six months earlier, marijuana, and
scales and baggies used to package drugs. When Johnson returned home and was
arrested, he admitted that he purchased the firearm and that the marijuana was his.
He further admitted selling “a little bit” of marijuana. The amount of marijuana
found was 29.4 grams.
The probation officer assigned a base offense level of 24 under U.S.S.G.
§ 2K2.1(a)(2) because Johnson had at least two prior felony convictions. That
level was increased by two because the firearm was stolen, § 2K2.1(b)(4), and by
four because Johnson possessed the firearm in connection with the sale of
marijuana, § 2K2.1(b)(6). With a 3-level reduction for acceptance of
responsibility, the total adjusted offense level was 27. Johnson had a lengthy
criminal history, which placed him in category VI, and the applicable guidelines
range was 130 to 162 months’ imprisonment. By statute, however, the maximum
sentence was 120 months and this became the guidelines range. See 18 U.S.C.
§ 924(a)(2); U.S.S.G. § 5G1.1(a).
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Johnson objected to the base offense level and the two enhancements. First,
Johnson argued that his prior convictions had been consolidated for trial and
sentencing, which, under state law, made them one conviction. The court agreed
with Johnson and, accordingly, assigned a base offense level of 20 under
§ 2K2.1(a)(4).
Johnson also objected to the enhancement for a stolen firearm, arguing that
there was no evidence, other than a preliminary report, that the gun had been
stolen. The government called ATF agent Lee Hoover to testify that he was
familiar with the initial report taken by an officer no longer with the police
department and that he had interviewed the owner of the gun. Based on this
testimony, Johnson withdrew his objection.
Finally, Johnson objected to the enhancement for possession in connection
with another felony offense, asserting that the “smidgen” of marijuana police found
was not what the guideline enhancement was intended to reach. The court stated
that there was evidence that Johnson was in the drug business, and the government
confirmed that Johnson had admitted selling marijuana. The government further
explained that possession of even a small amount would qualify as a felony offense
because Johnson had prior drug convictions. The court overruled the objection,
recalculated the guidelines range to be 92 to 115 months’ imprisonment, and
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sentenced Johnson to 115 months. Johnson now appeals.
We review the district court’s factual findings for clear error and the
application of the law to those facts de novo. United States v. Williams, 527 F.3d
1235, 1247-48 (11th Cir. 2008) (internal citations omitted). Arguments raised for
the first time on appeal are reviewed for plain error. United States v. Sanchez, 586
F.3d 918, 930, n.30 (11th Cir. 2009). To establish plain error, a defendant must
show there is (1) error, (2) that is plain, and (3) that affects substantial rights. If all
three conditions are met, we may exercise our discretion to recognize a forfeited
error, but only if the error seriously affect[s] the fairness, integrity or public
reputation of judicial proceedings. Id. at n.30.
Johnson raises two challenges to the district court’s calculations of his
guidelines range. First, he argues that the district court improperly applied the
enhancement for a stolen firearm under U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(b)(4). Second, he argues
that he did not possess the firearm in connection with another felony offense under
§ 2K2.1(b)(6). We address each in turn.
a. Stolen Firearm 1
Section 2K2.1(b)(4) instructs the court to impose a two-level increase in the
1
Johnson abandoned his challenge to the enhancement for a stolen firearm when he
withdrew the objection to the enhancement during sentencing. See United States v. Masters, 118
F.3d 1524, 1526 (11th Cir. 1997). The government, however, did not raise this argument and
contends that plain error review is appropriate.
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offense level if the firearm involved was stolen. U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(b)(4)(A).
“The district court’s factual findings for purposes of sentencing may be
based on, among other things, evidence heard during trial, undisputed statements in
the PSI, or evidence presented during the sentencing hearing.” United States v.
Polar, 369 F.3d 1248, 1255 (11th Cir. 2004).
Here, the government presented testimony that ATF agent Hoover had
interviewed the owner of the gun, the owner confirmed the serial number of the
gun, and the serial number matched the firearm taken from Johnson’s home. This
was sufficient for the court to impose the enhancement
b. Another Felony Offense
Section 2K2.1(b)(6) provides for a four-level increase in the base offense
level if the defendant possessed any firearm in connection with another felony
offense. U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(b)(6). “Felony offense” is defined as “any federal,
state, or local offense. . . punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one
year, regardless of whether a criminal charge was brought, or a conviction
obtained.” U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1, comment. (n.14(C)) (emphasis added).
Here, Johnson was found with drugs, baggies, and scales, which is
consistent with selling drugs, and Johnson admitted selling some marijuana. This
evidence was sufficient to constitute a felony for possession of drugs with intent to
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distribute under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a). The fact that Johnson was not charged with a
felony is not relevant. U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1, comment. (n.14(C)).
Accordingly, we conclude that the district court properly calculated
Johnson’s sentencing range.
AFFIRMED.
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