United States v. Merriman

ORDER

Brett A. Merriman pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, see 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, see 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). He was ordered to serve a prison term of 120 months on the drug charge, which was the statutory minimum term required at the time Griffin committed the offense, see § 841 (b)(l)(A)(iii) (2009), and a consecutive term of 60 months on the firearm charge, which was also mandated by the statute, see § 924(c)(1)(A)®, for a total of 180 months. The district court rejected Mer-riman’s contention that his sentence on the narcotics charge should be calculated pursuant to the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, 124 Stat. 2372 (“FSA”), which reduced the penalties for offenses involving crack cocaine and which took effect prior to his sentencing.

Merriman appealed his sentence, but in our order of July 7, 2011, we summarily affirmed the sentence in light of our decision in United States v. Fisher, 635 F.3d 336 (7th Cir.2011), which held that the FSA applied only prospectively to conduct occurring after the statute’s enactment.

In Dorsey v. United States, — U.S. -, -, 132 S.Ct. 2321, 2335, 183 L.Ed.2d 250 (2012), the Supreme Court disagreed with our holding in Fisher and “conclude[d] that Congress intended the Fair Sentencing Act’s new, lower mandatory mínimums to apply to the post-Act sentencing of pre-Act offenders.” Subsequently, the Supreme Court granted Mer-riman’s petition for a wiit of certiorari, vacated the judgment, and remanded the case to this court for reconsideration in light of its decision in Dorsey. Merriman v. United States, — U.S.-, — S.Ct. -,-L.Ed.2d-, 2012 WL 2470070 (2012).

The parties have filed a joint Circuit Rule 54 statement reflecting their agreement that, in view of Dorsey, the district court committed procedural error at Mer-riman’s sentencing with respect his sentence on the drug charge and that the error was not harmless. We agree, and we therefore VACATE Merriman’s sentence and REMAND for resentencing.