United States v. Ronald Sutton

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION
File Name: 11a0042n.06
Nos. 07-4159, 07-4160, 07-4162
FILED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Jan 18, 2011
FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT LEONARD GREEN, Clerk
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, )
)
Plaintiff-Appellee, ) ON APPEAL FROM THE
) UNITED STATES DISTRICT
v. ) COURT FOR THE
) SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF
RANDALL SUTTON and RONALD SUTTON, ) OHIO
)
Defendants-Appellants. )
BEFORE: SILER, GILMAN, and GRIFFIN, Circuit Judges.
GRIFFIN, Circuit Judge.
Brothers and co-defendants, Randall and Ronald Sutton,1 each pleaded guilty to two counts
of bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) and (d), and two counts of brandishing a firearm
during the commission of a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1). Both
defendants now appeal their sentences, with Randall also challenging the denial of his suppression
motions. Upon review, we find defendants’ arguments to be without merit and affirm.
I.
The facts underlying this matter are undisputed. On July 27, 2005, Randall and Jessie
Mongham, armed with handguns, entered the Huntington Bank in Fort Wright, Kentucky. After
Randall struck the bank manager in the head with the blunt end of his firearm and threatened several
1
Defendants will hereinafter be referred to as “Randall” and “Ronald.”
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tellers with physical harm, he and Mongham fled the bank with over $10,000. A little over a month
later, on September 1, 2005, Randall and Mongham executed a similar robbery at the Union Savings
Bank in Cincinnati, Ohio. Randall struck the bank manager in the head with his firearm and
threatened tellers. Thereafter, Randall and Mongham fled the bank with approximately $3,000.
On September 16, 2005, Randall and Ronald entered the National City Bank in Cincinnati,
Ohio, armed with handguns. Once again, Randall struck the bank manager in the head with his
firearm and both defendants threatened tellers with physical harm. Defendants fled the bank with
over $17,000. Finally, on October 4, 2005, Randall, Ronald, and Mongham entered the Guardian
Savings Bank in Cincinnati, Ohio. The defendants brandished firearms, threatened tellers, and left
the bank with approximately $2,000.
II.
In late 2005, Randall, Ronald, and Mongham were arrested and charged with several counts
of bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) and (d), and brandishing a firearm during the
commission of a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1).2 Randall moved to
suppress evidence obtained during the search of his girlfriend’s home and vehicle, and also moved
to suppress photo identification testimony. These motions were denied. Thereafter, Randall pleaded
guilty to two counts of bank robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of
2
Randall was charged in both the Southern District of Ohio and the Eastern District of
Kentucky. The charges in the Kentucky indictment, addressing the robbery of the Fort Wright
Huntington Bank, were transferred to the Southern District of Ohio for purposes of pleading guilty
and sentencing.
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violence. Several months later, Ronald also pleaded guilty to two bank robbery counts and two
firearm counts.
Both defendants were sentenced on August 29, 2007. Randall’s presentence report (“PSR”)
recommended a combined adjusted offense level of 28, with a criminal history category of VI that
was based upon his career-offender status. The PSR afforded a three-level reduction for acceptance
of responsibility, U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1, yielding a total offense level of 25, and an advisory Guidelines
range of 188-235 months of imprisonment on each bank robbery count. Pursuant to U.S.S.G. §
2K2.4, the Guideline sentences for the two firearm offenses were set at the statutory minimums,
which were seven and twenty-five years, respectively. 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1). The firearm sentences
were to be served consecutively. U.S.S.G. § 5G1.2(a); 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(D)(ii).
At sentencing, defense counsel requested that Randall be sentenced below his Guidelines
range. The district court granted a variance, imposing 132 months on each bank robbery count to
be served concurrently. With regard to the firearm charges, the court imposed the statutory
minimum sentences, to be served consecutively, for a total sentence of 516 months.
Ronald’s PSR recommended a combined adjusted offense level of 28, with a criminal history
category of III that was based upon six criminal history points. The PSR afforded a three-level
reduction for acceptance of responsibility, U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1, yielding a total offense level of 25, and
an advisory Guidelines range of 70-87 months of imprisonment for each bank robbery count. The
Guideline sentences for Ronald’s firearm offenses were the statutory minimums, seven and twenty-
five years, to be served consecutively.
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Prior to sentencing, the government filed a motion, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1, to reduce
Ronald’s sentence for his substantial assistance in testifying against his co-defendant, Mongham.
The government requested that Ronald receive a total sentence of 300 months. The district court
accepted the governments’s recommendation, sentencing Ronald to 80 months on each bank robbery
count, 84 months on the first firearm count, and 300 months on the second firearm count, all to run
concurrently, rather than consecutively.
Both Randall and Ronald have timely appealed. The arguments of each defendant are
addressed in turn below.
III.
Randall asserts two arguments on appeal. First, he contends that the district court erred in
denying his motions to suppress, and, second, he challenges the procedural and substantive
reasonableness of his sentence.
Randall’s claims regarding his motions to suppress are disposed of easily. Indeed, Randall
is precluded from challenging the denial of his suppression motions on appeal because he did not
preserve the right to do so in his guilty plea. See United States v. Young, 580 F.3d 373, 376 (6th Cir.
2009) (“Sixth Circuit law is clear . . . that a guilty-pleading defendant may not appeal an adverse pre-
plea ruling on a motion to suppress evidence unless he has preserved the right to do so in a written
plea agreement under Criminal Rule 11(a)(2).”).
Randall’s assertions regarding the reasonableness of his sentence are also without merit. We
review the district court’s sentencing decisions for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Bates,
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United States v. Sutton
552 F.3d 472, 476 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 130 S. Ct. 166 (2009). Reasonableness review has both
procedural and substantive components. United States v. Sedore, 512 F.3d 819, 822 (6th Cir. 2008).
We “must first ensure that the district court committed no significant procedural error, such as failing
to calculate (or improperly calculating) the Guidelines range, treating the Guidelines as mandatory,
failing to consider the § 3553(a) factors, selecting a sentence based on clearly erroneous facts, or
failing to adequately explain the chosen sentence.” Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007).
If the sentence is procedurally sound, we then consider the substantive reasonableness of the
sentence. Id. In assessing substantive reasonableness, we determine “whether the length of the
sentence is reasonable in light of the § 3553(a) factors.” United States v. Tate, 516 F.3d 459, 469
(6th Cir.), cert. denied, 129 S. Ct. 93 (2008).
With regard to procedural reasonableness, Randall contends that the district court did not
address his arguments for lenity. Specifically, he asserts that the court did not expressly consider:
(1) his role in convincing Ronald to plead guilty; (2) the disparity between his Guidelines range and
the sentences of similarly situated defendants; or (3) his remorse and willingness to rehabilitate.
Because Randall failed to raise this issue at sentencing, despite the district court’s invitation for
objections, we review for plain error. See United States v. Vonner, 516 F.3d 382, 386 (6th Cir.) (en
banc), cert. denied, 129 S. Ct. 68 (2008).3
3
Randall also makes the blanket assertion, without citation to authority, that his sentence is
procedurally unreasonable because the district court “did not explicitly consider each and every §
3553(a) factor in arriving at the sentence imposed[.]” However, a district court is not required to
expressly address each § 3553(a) factor at sentencing. Indeed, “[w]hen a district court adequately
explains why it imposed a particular sentence . . . we do not further require that it exhaustively
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Randall is correct that the district court did not expressly address all of his arguments for
lenity at the sentencing hearing. However, ‘“[a] sentencing judge has no more duty than we
appellate judges do to discuss every argument made by a litigant; arguments clearly without merit
can, and for the sake of judicial economy should, be passed over in silence.”’ United States v. Noel,
372 F. App’x 586, 592 (6th Cir. 2010) (unpublished) (quoting United States v. Cunningham, 429
F.3d 673, 678 (7th Cir. 2005)). While the Supreme Court directs district judges to give reasoned
explanations for their sentencing decisions, much in this respect is left “‘to the judge’s own
professional judgment.”’ Vonner, 516 F.3d at 387 (quoting Rita v. United States, 551 U.S. 338, 356
(2007)). Moreover, with regard to Randall’s role in convincing Ronald to plead guilty, the district
court expressly noted this good-faith cooperation in finding a below-Guidelines sentence to be
appropriate.
Here, the record demonstrates that the district court properly calculated and considered the
applicable Guidelines range and applied the relevant factors listed in § 3553(a). Specifically, the
district court held that the sentence imposed was reasonable in light of the nature and severity of the
crimes at issue, Randall’s acceptance of responsibility, his criminal record, his nature and
characteristics, and the need to promote respect for the law. There is no evidence indicating that the
district court did not “listen to, consider and understand every argument” Randall presented. Vonner,
explain the obverse – why an alternative sentence was not selected – in every instance.” United
States v. Gale, 468 F.3d 929, 940 (6th Cir. 2006); see also United States v. Fernandez, 443 F.3d 19,
30 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 127 S. Ct. 192 (2006) (“[W]e will not conclude that a district judge shirked
her obligation to consider the § 3553(a) factors simply because she did not discuss each one
individually[.]”).
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516 F.3d at 388 (internal quotation marks, citation, and brackets omitted). Accordingly, Randall’s
sentence is not procedurally unreasonable.
With regard to substantive reasonableness, Randall asserts that his sentence is “greater than
necessary to achieve the goals of punishment outlined in § 3553(a)[.]” However, Randall’s below-
Guidelines sentence is entitled to a rebuttable presumption of reasonableness. United States v.
Curry, 536 F.3d 571, 573 (6th Cir. 2008). Indeed, where the district court imposes a sentence below
the Guidelines range, as was done here, “simple logic compels the conclusion that . . . defendant’s
task of persuading us that the more lenient sentence . . . is unreasonably long is even more
demanding.” Id.
Based upon our review of the record, “[i]t is clear that the district court considered all the
evidence and was mindful of its obligation to impose a sentence that ‘fit the crime.’” United States
v. Vowell, 516 F.3d 503, 514 (6th Cir. 2008) (citation omitted). Moreover, on abuse-of-discretion
review, we give due deference to the district court’s conclusion that the sentence was warranted by
the § 3553(a) factors. United States v. Bolds, 511 F.3d 568, 581 (6th Cir. 2007) (citing Gall, 552
U.S. at 51). Considering the totality of the circumstances, id., including the Guidelines and the §
3553(a) factors, we hold that Randall’s 516-month sentence is substantively reasonable.
Accordingly, his sentence is affirmed.
IV.
Like his brother, Ronald presents two arguments on appeal. First, he contends that his 25-
year sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment, and,
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second, he contends that the district court’s consideration of his prior felony conviction in fashioning
his sentence violated the Sixth Amendment. Because Ronald did not raise these claims of error at
sentencing, we employ the plain-error standard of review if the district court asked the “Bostic”
question. See United States v. Bostic, 371 F.3d 865, 872-73 (6th Cir. 2004) (holding that sentencing
arguments raised for the first time on appeal are reviewed under the plain-error standard if the court
asked “the parties whether they have any objections to the sentence just pronounced that have not
previously been raised”).
The government concedes that the district court failed to ask the proper Bostic question. See
United States v. Novales, 589 F.3d 310, 313 (6th Cir. 2009) (discussing questions that are
insufficient under Bostic). But we need not decide this issue because, even under the de novo
standard of review, Ronald’s arguments are not meritorious. See United States v. Jones, 569 F.3d
569, 573 (6th Cir. 2009) (applying de novo standard of review to Eighth Amendment claim); United
States v. Hardy, 586 F.3d 1040, 1043 (6th Cir. 2009) (applying de novo standard of review to Sixth
Amendment claim).
First, Ronald’s sentence does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment. For a term of
imprisonment to violate the Eighth Amendment, it must be “grossly disproportionate to the crime”
at issue. United States v. Flowal, 163 F.3d 956, 963 (6th Cir. 1998). Here, Ronald’s assertions
regarding the proportionality of his sentence are wholly without merit. Indeed, this court has
previously rejected Eighth Amendment claims challenging substantially longer sentences for similar
or less egregious conduct. These sentences were upheld despite the fact that the defendants, like
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Ronald, had minimal criminal histories and/or cooperated with the government. See United States
v. Watkins, 509 F.3d 277, 282-83 (6th Cir. 2007) (upholding 1,772-month sentence for six counts
of bank robbery and brandishing a firearm where victims were not physically injured and defendant
had no criminal history); United States v. Beverly, 369 F.3d 516, 536-37 (6th Cir. 2004) (upholding
71-year term of imprisonment for driving getaway car in four bank robberies despite lack of criminal
history and government cooperation). Moreover, this court has cited with approval a Ninth Circuit
opinion upholding the exact sentence imposed here: a 25-year term of imprisonment for violation
of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Beverly, 369 F.3d at 537 (citing United States v. Parker, 241 F.3d 1114,
1117-18 (9th Cir. 2001)). Accordingly, in light of our precedents, this case does not present the kind
of extreme disparity between the nature of the crime and the sentence imposed to constitute an
Eighth Amendment violation.
Finally, Ronald asserts that the district court’s use of a prior conviction to enhance his
sentence violates the Sixth Amendment. However, this argument has been soundly rejected by this
court. “It is well settled in this Circuit that Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S. Ct. 2348,
147 L. Ed. 2d 435 (2000), does not require the nature of prior convictions to be determined by a jury.”
United States v. Craft, 495 F.3d 259, 266 (6th Cir. 2007); see also United States v. Bradley, 400 F.3d
459, 462-63 (6th Cir. 2005); United States v. Barnett, 398 F.3d 516, 524-25 (6th Cir. 2005).
Ronald’s contention that the continued viability of this case law is questionable in light of Justice
Clarence Thomas’s concurring opinion in Shepard v. United States, 544 U.S. 13, 26-28 (2005),
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espousing a contrary viewpoint, has been expressly rejected by this court in United States v. Hill, 440
F.3d 292, 299 n.3 (6th Cir. 2006). Accordingly, Ronald’s Sixth Amendment claim is meritless.
V.
For these reasons, we affirm the judgment of the district court.
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