United States v. Brown , 68 F. App'x 480 ( 2003 )


Menu:
  •                         UNPUBLISHED
    UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
    FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,              
    Plaintiff-Appellee,
    v.                            No. 02-4947
    MORETTA T. BROWN,
    Defendant-Appellant.
    
    Appeal from the United States District Court
    for the District of South Carolina, at Columbia.
    Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., Chief District Judge.
    (CR-01-769)
    Submitted: May 6, 2003
    Decided: July 10, 2003
    Before MICHAEL and MOTZ, Circuit Judges, and
    HAMILTON, Senior Circuit Judge.
    Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion.
    COUNSEL
    Christopher M. Vann, ANDRESEN & ASSOCIATES, Charlotte,
    North Carolina, for Appellant. J. Strom Thurmond, Jr., United States
    Attorney, Eric William Ruschky, Assistant United States Attorney,
    Columbia, South Carolina, for Appellee.
    2                      UNITED STATES v. BROWN
    Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. See
    Local Rule 36(c).
    OPINION
    PER CURIAM:
    Moretta T. Brown was a bail bondsman who testified at a bond
    hearing. Brown’s testimony led to her conviction for making a false
    material declaration, in violation of 
    18 U.S.C. § 1623
     (2000). Brown
    has timely appealed her conviction and sentence.
    First, Brown asserts the district court erred in denying her motion
    for acquittal on the ground that the evidence was insufficient to sus-
    tain her conviction. We review this claim to consider whether, taking
    the evidence in the light most favorable to the Government, any rea-
    sonable trier of fact could have found the defendant guilty beyond a
    reasonable doubt. Glasser v. United States, 
    315 U.S. 60
    , 80 (1942).
    Brown’s claim is meritless. Brown knowingly made a false material
    declaration under oath before a federal court. 
    18 U.S.C. § 1623
    (a)
    (2000); United States v. Wilkinson, 
    137 F.3d 214
    , 225 (4th Cir. 1998).
    Brown fails to establish her false testimony resulted from confusion
    or mistake. United States v. Dunnigan, 
    507 U.S. 87
    , 94 (1993). Addi-
    tionally, Brown fails to establish her testimony was immaterial.
    United States v. Littleton, 
    76 F.3d 614
    , 618 (4th Cir. 1996).
    Second, Brown asserts the district court failed to correct a violation
    of its sequestration order. We review this claim for harmless error.
    United States v. Rhynes, 
    218 F.3d 310
    , 323 (4th Cir. 2000). Brown’s
    claim is meritless. The district court’s rulings regarding witness testi-
    mony were well within its discretion. United States v. Cropp, 
    127 F.3d 354
    , 363 (4th Cir. 1997); Rhynes, 
    218 F.3d at 316, 322, 326
    .
    Third, Brown asserts the district court erred in enhancing her sen-
    tence for obstruction of justice. We review this claim for clear error.
    United States v. Puckett, 
    61 F.3d 1092
    , 1095 (4th Cir. 1995). Brown’s
    claim is meritless. Brown’s enhancement was proper. U.S. Sentencing
    Guidelines Manual § 3C1.1, comment. (n.4(b)) (2002); Dunnigan,
    UNITED STATES v. BROWN                        3
    
    507 U.S. 87
    , 92-98; United States v. Jones, 
    308 F.3d 425
    , 428 n.2 (4th
    Cir. 2002).
    Accordingly, we affirm Brown’s conviction and sentence. We dis-
    pense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are
    adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument
    would not aid in the decisional process.
    AFFIRMED