Opinion
4:04CR3073.
November 29, 2005
TENTATIVE FINDINGS
I am in receipt of the presentence investigation report and addendum in this case and the defendant's objection and motion for downward departure (filing 23).
IT IS ORDERED that:
(1) The undersigned will consult and follow the Guidelines to the extent permitted and required by United States v. Booker, 125 S. Ct. 738 (2005). In this regard, the undersigned gives notice that, unless otherwise ordered, he will (a) give the advisory Guidelines substantial weight; (b) resolve all factual disputes relevant to sentencing by the greater weight of the evidence and without the aid of a jury; (c) impose upon the government the burden of proof on all Guideline-enhancements; (d) impose upon the defendant the burden of proof on all Guideline-mitigators; (e) depart from the advisory Guidelines, if appropriate, using pre-Booker departure theory; and (f) in cases where a departure using pre-Booker departure theory is not warranted, deviate or vary from the Guidelines only when there is a plainly superior, principled reason which justifies a sentence different than that called for by application of the advisory Guidelines.
(2) The defendant's objection (filing 23 ¶ 1) to the presentence report — predicated on the assertion that the Alaska child-pornography conviction described at paragraph 39 of the presentence report should not be counted for criminal history purposes in this child-pornography prosecution because the two are "related" within meaning of application note 3 of U.S.S.G. § 4A1.2 — will be taken up at sentencing.
(3) The defendant's motion (filing 23 ¶ 2) for departure based upon prosecution delay will be taken up at sentencing.
(4) The undersigned gives notice that he is considering an upward departure or variance. In short, the defendant's persistent criminal behavior regarding child-pornography in Nebraska and Alaska should be taken into account.
(5) The parties are herewith notified that my tentative findings are that the presentence report is otherwise correct in all respects.
(6) If any party wishes to challenge these tentative findings, said party shall, as soon as possible, but in any event at least five (5) business days before sentencing, file in the court file and serve upon opposing counsel and the court a motion challenging these tentative findings, supported by (a) such evidentiary materials as are required (giving due regard to the requirements of the local rules of practice respecting the submission of evidentiary materials), (b) a brief as to the law and (c) if an evidentiary hearing is requested, a statement describing why an evidentiary hearing is necessary and how long such a hearing would take.
(7) Absent submission of the information required by paragraph 6 of this order, my tentative findings may become final.
(8) Unless otherwise ordered, any motion challenging these tentative findings shall be resolved at sentencing.