Opinion
CRIMINAL 1:15-00242
08-20-2024
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. TYRELL SAUNDERS
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
David A. Faber, Senior United States District Judge
Pursuant to a Standing Order entered on October 31, 2023, the court instituted a review of the sentence imposed in this matter. On November 1, 2023, a multi-part criminal history amendment designated as Amendment 821 in Appendix C to the Guidelines Manual became effective. Part A of the amendment addresses status points, decreasing them by one point for individuals with seven or more criminal history points and eliminating status points for those with six or fewer criminal history points. Subpart 1 of Part B creates a new §4C1.1 guideline that provides a decrease of two offense levels for “Zero-Point Offenders” (those with no criminal history points) whose offense did not involve specified aggravating factors. Parts A and B, subpart 1 of the criminal history amendment both have retroactive effect. Recognizing that the courts, probation officers, and the Bureau of Prisons would need time to process motions and prepare release plans, the Commission also decided to require that any reduction in the term of imprisonment based on retroactive application of Amendment 821 not be effective until February 1, 2024, or later. (See Amendment 825 to USSG §1B1.10, effective November 1, 2023). Accordingly, an order reducing a term of imprisonment based upon retroactive application of Amendment 821 must have an effective date of February 1, 2024, or later.
Pursuant to the Standing Order, the court, in consultation with the United States Probation Office, designated this defendant for Expedited consideration. By Order entered August 13, 2024, the United States Attorney's Office was directed to file any objection to a sentence reduction for this defendant. On August 14, 2024, the United States filed its response agreeing with the Probation Office that defendant appeared eligible for a sentence reduction within the amended guideline range of 12 to 18 months. See ECF No. 21. Nevertheless, the government urged the court to exercise its discretion and hold defendant to the terms of his 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreement and deny a reduction from the 21-month sentence previously imposed. See id.
At his original sentencing, defendant's sentence was based on a Total Offense Level of 11 and a Criminal History Category of IV, with the defendant having a total of 7 criminal history points, for an advisory guideline range of 18 to 24 months. As outlined in Paragraphs 43 to 45 of the presentence report, the defendant had a subtotal of 5 criminal history points plus 2 points for “status” pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 4A1.1(d), for a total of 7 criminal history points. Pursuant to a Rule 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreement, the parties agreed to a sentence of 21 months of imprisonment. The court accepted the parties' binding plea agreement and defendant was sentenced to 21 months of imprisonment, consecutive to any undischarged terms of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, concurrent to any other undischarged terms of supervised release, no fine, and a $100 special assessment.
Following the retroactive amendment to the Guidelines, defendant would not receive status points and, therefore, he would have a total of 5 criminal history points, which would lower his Criminal History Category from IV to III. Based on a Total Offense Level of 11 and Criminal History Category of III, the defendant's amended advisory guideline range would be 12 to 18 months. As noted previously, the defendant was originally sentenced to 21 months of imprisonment.
Based on the foregoing, the defendant is eligible for relief pursuant to Amendment 821. Pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 1B1.10(b)(2)(A), the court cannot reduce a defendant's term of imprisonment to a term that is less than the minimum of the amended guideline range, i.e., 12 months. Notwithstanding a defendant's eligibility for relief, the court still retains the discretion to determine whether a sentence should be reduced and the extent of any reduction after considering the factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).
The court has carefully considered whether a reduction is appropriate under the facts of this case. Under the plea agreement, the parties' agreed-upon sentence was 21 months. As outlined in paragraph 13 of the PSI, defendant's offense conduct was extremely serious in that he stabbed another inmate multiple times with a shank. The court accepted the parties' plea agreement and imposed a sentence of 21 months. Since that time, defendant has completed a number of courses while in BOP custody. He has, however, also received five additional disciplinary infractions, including one for possession of a dangerous weapon and another for possessing a hazardous tool. Therefore, after considering the applicable factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3353(a), consistent with 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2), the court finds that a sentence reduction is not appropriate in this case. Defendant's 21-month sentence remains an appropriate sentence. Therefore, any relief pursuant to Amendment 821 is DENIED.
The Clerk is DIRECTED to send a copy of this Memorandum Opinion and Order to defendant, counsel of record, the United States Attorney, the Federal Public Defender, and the United States Probation Office.
IT IS SO ORDERED.