Elawyers Elawyers
Ohio| Change

United States v. Henderson, 03-10346 (2003)

Court: Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Number: 03-10346 Visitors: 9
Filed: Dec. 19, 2003
Latest Update: Feb. 21, 2020
Summary: United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS December 19, 2003 FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 03-10346 Summary Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus WILLIAM HENDERSON, also known as Keg, Defendant-Appellant. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas USDC No. 4:02-CR-00174-11 Before JONES, BENAVIDES and CLEMENT, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* William Henderson appea
More
                                                         United States Court of Appeals
                                                                  Fifth Circuit
                                                               F I L E D
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS         December 19, 2003
                        FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
                                                           Charles R. Fulbruge III
                                                                   Clerk

                            No. 03-10346
                          Summary Calendar


                      UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                                  Plaintiff-Appellee,

                               versus

                WILLIAM HENDERSON, also known as Keg,

                                                  Defendant-Appellant.


          Appeal from the United States District Court
               for the Northern District of Texas
                   USDC No. 4:02-CR-00174-11


Before JONES, BENAVIDES and CLEMENT, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

          William Henderson appeals his sentence following his

guilty-plea conviction of conspiracy to distribute more than 5

kilograms of cocaine and 50 grams or more of a mixture containing

cocaine base.   He argues that the district court erred in refusing

to adjust his offense level downward by three levels for acceptance

of responsibility under U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1 because he refused to




     *
        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that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent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.
discuss with the probation officer his offense conduct or criminal

history and because he timely pleaded guilty.

           Whether    a   defendant       has    sufficiently   demonstrated

acceptance    of   responsibility   is     a    factual   question,   and   the

standard of review is even more deferential than “clear error.”

United States v. Spires, 
79 F.3d 464
, 467 (5th Cir. 1996).                  This

court will affirm a sentencing court’s decision not to award a

reduction under U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1 unless it is “without foundation.”

United States v. Hooten, 
933 F.2d 293
, 297-98 (5th Cir. 1991).

           We have recognized the refusal to debrief a probation

officer as a factor in deciding whether to apply the adjustment for

acceptance of responsibility. See United States v. Solis, 
299 F.3d 420
, 458 (5th Cir. 2002); United States v. Chapa-Garza, 
62 F.3d 118
, 123 (5th Cir. 1995); United States v. Medina-Anicacio, 
325 F.3d 638
, 648 (5th Cir. 2003).      Having reviewed the record in this

case, we hold that the district court’s refusal to grant the

adjustment was not without any foundation.            See U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1,

comment (n.3); 
Hooten, 933 F.2d at 297-98
.           Henderson also has not

shown reversible error by arguing that U.S.S.G § 3E1.1 recognizes

his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent with the probation

officer.   See United States v. Kleinebreil, 
966 F.2d 945
, 953 (5th

Cir. 1992).    The district court’s judgment is AFFIRMED.




                                      2

Source:  CourtListener

Can't find what you're looking for?

Post a free question on our public forum.
Ask a Question
Search for lawyers by practice areas.
Find a Lawyer