United States v. Meadows

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 02-10239
Summary Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
MICHAEL MEADOWS,
Defendant-Appellant.
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Texas
USDC No. 3:01-CR-353-ALL-P
August 16, 2002
Before GARWOOD, JOLLY and SMITH, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:1
Michael Meadows appeals his sentence following his guilty plea
to bank robbery. He argues that the district court erred in
refusing to downwardly depart pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 5K2.20 for
“aberrant behavior.” We lack jurisdiction to review a refusal to
depart downward, unless the district court’s refusal was based on
1
Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R.47.5 the Court has determined that this
opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under
the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4.
a mistaken belief that it lacked the power to do so. United States
v. Cooper, 274 F.3d 230, 248 (5th Cir. 2001). The record indicates
that the district court was aware that it had the authority to
award a downward departure, but it did not believe that Meadows’s
case was an extraordinary one warranting such action.2 Therefore,
we are without jurisdiction to review that determination. See
United States v. DiMarco, 46 F.3d 476, 478 (5th Cir. 1995).
APPEAL DISMISSED.
2
Appellant points out the district court’s use of
“spontaneity” in evaluating his conduct and urges us to reject that
standard in light of United States v. Gonzalez, 281 F.3d 38 (2d
Cir. 2002). Regardless of the court’s choice of words, we are
satisfied the district court felt the case did not warrant downward
departure due to the appellant’s failure to show he committed the
offense “without significant planning.” See U.S.S.G. § 5K2.20. In
Gonzalez, by contrast, the district court expressly stated its
ruling was as a matter of law and that it would likely depart if it
had discretion to do so. Id. at 42.
2