United States v. Robert E. Sorenson

United States Court of Appeals
FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
___________
No. 04-2988
___________
United States of America, *
*
Appellee, *
* Appeal from the United States
v. * District Court for the
* District of Nebraska.
Robert E. Sorenson, * [UNPUBLISHED]
*
Appellant. *
___________
Submitted: April 11, 2005
Filed: May 11, 2005
___________
Before WOLLMAN, BEAM, and GRUENDER, Circuit Judges.
___________
PER CURIAM.
Robert E. Sorenson pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute in excess of one
gram of L.S.D. in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1) and use of a firearm
during a drug trafficking crime in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), both class C
felonies. He was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment and four years of
supervised release. Sorenson violated the terms of his supervised release and was
sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment with no additional supervised release. He
appeals from the 24-month sentence, arguing that the district court1 abused its
1
The Honorable Lyle E. Strom, United States District Judge for the District of
Nebraska.
discretion by giving him an excessively long sentence and that it erred in not
considering the sentencing factors listed in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) and the policy
statements found in the United States Sentencing Guidelines Manual (U.S.S.G.) §
7B1.4. He also argues that the district court erred in recommending against giving
him credit for time served. We affirm.2
Sorenson’s term of supervised release was marked by his noncompliance with
its conditions. The first time he violated those conditions, the district court modified
the terms and conditions, but did not revoke his release. When Sorenson again
violated the terms of release, testing positive for methamphetamine use on five
occasions and failing to appear for six scheduled drug tests, the district court reserved
ruling on revocation in order to allow Sorenson another opportunity to enter a drug
treatment program. Instead, it ordered that if Sorenson successfully completed an
approved drug treatment program and remained free from drugs for the six months
following treatment, he could resume his existing term of supervised release.
Sorenson completed treatment, but was discharged from the aftercare program after
he admitted to again using methamphetamine. After Sorenson failed to appear at a
revocation hearing, the district court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. After a
hearing, the district court revoked Sorenson’s supervised release and, as indicated
above, sentenced him to 24 months’ imprisonment, along with a recommendation that
he participate in a 500-hour alcohol and drug treatment program.
The length of a term of imprisonment upon revocation of supervised release is
ultimately governed by statute. United States v. Holmes, 283 F.3d 966, 968 (8th Cir.
2002). In this case, because the underlying offenses were class C felonies, the statute
authorizes a prison term of up to two years when supervised release is revoked. 18
U.S.C. § 3583(e)(3). In reviewing such a sentence, we look to see whether there is
evidence that the district court considered the factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). United
2
We deny Sorenson’s motion to strike references in Appellee’s brief.
-2-
States v. Jasper, 338 F.3d 865, 867 (8th Cir. 2003). Although the district court must
consider the relevant factors, it is not required to mechanically list all the factors and
may merely advert to some of the relevant considerations. See United States v.
Hawkins, 375 F.3d 750, 752 (8th Cir. 2004). Although “imprisonment is not an
appropriate means of promoting correction and rehabilitation,” 18 U.S.C. § 3582(a),
relevant purposes for imposing a particular sentence may include promoting respect
for the law, providing necessary and effective correctional treatment, and affording
deterrence. See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(2); Holmes, 283 F.3d at 968.
One factor the court must consider is “the applicable . . . policy statements” in
the Guidelines. 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(4)(B). Although U.S.S.G. § 7B1.4 suggests a
sentencing range of 5-11 months for supervised release violations like Sorenson’s
(grade C violations), the district court is not bound by that recommendation. Chapter
7 of the Guidelines sets forth only non-binding policy statements and sentencing
recommendations.3 U.S.S.G. Ch. 7, Pt. A(3)(a). A sentence outside the
recommended range is just that, a sentence, and not an upward departure, and does
not necessitate detailed findings. See United States v. Shaw, 180 F.3d 920, 922 (8th
Cir. 1999) (per curiam). A sentence that falls outside of the suggested Guidelines
range but “within the bounds of 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)” is permissible absent an abuse
of discretion. Holmes, 283 F.3d at 968.
The district court did not abuse its discretion in imposing a 24-month sentence.
Sorenson repeatedly failed to comply with the terms of his supervised release, was
dishonest with the district court, and denied the seriousness of his drug use problem.
3
This section in the Guidelines has always been advisory and remains unaltered
by the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in United States v. Booker, 125 S. Ct. 738(2005). The Sentencing Commission intended to provide the district courts with
greater flexibility in addressing violations of probation and supervised release than
in sentencing generally. See U.S.S.G. Ch. 7, Pt. A(3)(a); United States v. White Face,
383 F.3d 733, 735 (8th Cir. 2004).
-3-
Although Sorenson attempted to make excuses for his failures, the district court was
not required to credit his explanations or to reduce the sentence on that basis. See
United States v. Hensley, 36 F.3d 39, 41 (8th Cir. 1994). Likewise, the district court
did not abuse its discretion in concluding that imprisonment was necessary to punish
Sorenson’s noncompliance and to address his need for intensive drug treatment.
Finally, Sorenson argues that the district court improperly denied him credit for
time served and improperly recommended that he not receive any reduction in his
sentence for participating in the Bureau of Prisons’ drug treatment program. D. Ct.
Order of July 28, 2004. We conclude that the district court correctly stated that
Sorenson would receive credit for time served since he was arrested, and that its
recommendation to the Bureau of Prisons as to potential future credit was just that,
a recommendation. The determination of whether credit should be given for time
served “is properly left to the Bureau of Prisons” and is given only “after the
defendant begins his sentence.” United States v. Pardue, 363 F.3d 695, 699 (8th Cir.
2004) (quotation omitted). If Sorenson fails to receive the appropriate credit, he may
at that time pursue administrative remedies and thereafter seek relief by way of
habeas review. Id.The sentence is affirmed.
______________________________
-4-