United States v. Robert Jackson , 583 F. App'x 571 ( 2014 )


Menu:
  •                  United States Court of Appeals
    For the Eighth Circuit
    ___________________________
    No. 14-1876
    ___________________________
    United States of America
    lllllllllllllllllllll Plaintiff - Appellee
    v.
    Robert Jackson
    lllllllllllllllllllll Defendant - Appellant
    ____________
    Appeal from United States District Court
    for the Northern District of Iowa - Cedar Rapids
    ____________
    Submitted: November 11, 2014
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    [Unpublished]
    ____________
    Before RILEY, Chief Judge, BEAM and GRUENDER, Circuit Judges.
    ____________
    PER CURIAM.
    Robert Jackson, a violent sex offender and self-described “pimp,” pled guilty
    to one count of transporting two minor females—one fifteen and the other
    sixteen—with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity in violation of 18 U.S.C.
    § 2423(a). Calculating an advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines (Guidelines)
    range of 360 months to life imprisonment (level 43, category III) and “carefully
    consider[ing] each and every factor under 18 [U.S.C. §] 3553(a),” the district court1
    sentenced Jackson to life in prison. Jackson appeals the substantive reasonableness
    of his sentence, arguing the district court “mechanically” applied the Guidelines
    “without a careful analysis of the facts and circumstances unique to this case” and
    imposed a sentence “greatly in excess of a sentence that is ‘sufficient, but not greater
    than necessary[,]’ to achieve the purposes of sentencing.”2 (Quoting 18 U.S.C.
    § 3553(a)).
    We review the substantive reasonableness of Jackson’s sentence for abuse of
    discretion. See Gall v. United States, 
    552 U.S. 38
    , 51 (2007). Our review “‘is narrow
    and deferential’” and “‘it will be the unusual case when we reverse a district court
    sentence—whether within, above, or below the applicable Guidelines range—as
    substantively unreasonable.’” United States v. Feemster, 
    572 F.3d 455
    , 464 (8th Cir.
    2009) (en banc) (quoting United States v. Gardellini, 
    545 F.3d 1089
    , 1090 (D.C. Cir.
    2008)). “The district court has wide latitude to weigh the § 3553(a) factors in each
    case and assign some factors greater weight than others in determining an appropriate
    sentence.” United States v. Bridges, 
    569 F.3d 374
    , 379 (8th Cir. 2009). Because
    Jackson’s life “sentence is within the Guidelines range,” we “apply a presumption of
    reasonableness.” 
    Gall, 552 U.S. at 51
    .
    1
    The Honorable Linda R. Reade, Chief Judge, United States District Court for
    the Northern District of Iowa.
    2
    In passing, Jackson also contends the applicable “guidelines are no longer
    based on empirical research and reasonable sentencing” and result from “Congress
    interfering with the role of the United States Sentencing Commission and the
    Judiciary.” Jackson’s categorical challenge to the Guidelines on policy grounds is
    “‘not properly made to this court’ because on appeal we are ‘limited to determining
    the substantive reasonableness of a specific sentence where the advisory guidelines
    range was determined’ in accordance with the guidelines.” United States v. Pappas,
    
    715 F.3d 225
    , 229 (8th Cir. 2013) (quoting United States v. Shuler, 
    598 F.3d 444
    , 448
    (8th Cir. 2010)).
    -2-
    Jackson fails to overcome that presumption. See, e.g., United States v. Lee,
    
    553 F.3d 598
    , 602 (8th Cir. 2009). Having carefully reviewed the totality of the
    circumstances evident in the sentencing record, we conclude the district court
    thoroughly considered the § 3553(a) factors as applied to Jackson and imposed a
    reasonable sentence given the violent and despicable circumstances of this case.
    Notwithstanding Jackson’s assertion to the contrary, the sentencing transcript reveals
    the district court made “an individualized assessment based on the facts presented,”
    duly weighed the relevant factors, and “adequately explain[ed] the chosen sentence.”
    
    Gall, 552 U.S. at 50-51
    . Jackson’s “life sentence is doubtless severe, but it is not
    substantively unreasonable.” United States v. Hoffman, 
    707 F.3d 929
    , 937 (8th Cir.
    2013). Jackson “committed a heinous crime worthy of the sentence imposed.”
    United States v. Franik, 
    687 F.3d 988
    , 991 (8th Cir. 2012).
    Because the district court did not abuse its substantial discretion, we affirm.
    ______________________________
    -3-
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 14-1876

Citation Numbers: 583 F. App'x 571

Judges: Riley, Beam, Gruender

Filed Date: 11/18/2014

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 11/6/2024