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United States v. Stokes

Citation: 245 F. App'x 671Docket: No. 06-30334

Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; August 21, 2007; Federal Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

In this case, the appellant challenges the district court's decision to revoke his supervised release and impose an 18-month sentence through two consecutive 9-month prison terms. The appellate court, exercising its jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, affirms the district court's ruling. The appellant's primary contention is that his sentence is erroneous, as it exceeds the original one-year term of supervised release. However, the court finds the sentence appropriate within the context of the Sentencing Guidelines and below the statutory maximum allowed under 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(3). The court also supports the imposition of consecutive sentences, citing the precedent established in United States v. Jackson. While upholding the sentence, the appellate court identifies a clerical error in the judgment, which misidentifies the statute cited in Count 2 of the indictment. It mandates a correction to reflect the proper statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(1), instead of 18 U.S.C. § 1521(c)(1). The case is remanded solely for this correction. The judgment is not designated for publication and lacks precedential value pursuant to 9th Cir. R. 36-3.

Legal Issues Addressed

Consecutive Sentences in Supervised Release Violations

Application: The court upholds the imposition of consecutive sentences, following the precedent set in United States v. Jackson.

Reasoning: The court also upholds the district court's decision to impose consecutive sentences, referencing precedent in United States v. Jackson.

Correction of Clerical Errors in Judgment

Application: The appellate court identifies and mandates the correction of a clerical error in the judgment, requiring the citation of the correct statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(1), instead of 18 U.S.C. § 1521(c)(1).

Reasoning: Additionally, while affirming the judgment, the appellate court identifies a clerical error in the original judgment, which inaccurately cites 18 U.S.C. § 1521(c)(1) instead of the correct statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(1), as charged in Count 2 of the indictment.

Jurisdiction of the Appellate Court

Application: The appellate court has jurisdiction over the appeal of the sentence revocation under 28 U.S.C. § 1291.

Reasoning: The appellate court has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and affirms the district court's decision.

Sentencing Guidelines and Statutory Maximum

Application: The court finds the imposition of two consecutive 9-month terms appropriate as it falls within the Guidelines range and is below the statutory maximum under 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(3).

Reasoning: The court finds this argument unpersuasive, noting that the sentence falls within the recommended Guidelines range and is below the statutory maximum per 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(3).