US v. Williams, No. 09-1924

District court's sentence of a defendant to a mandatory life imprisonment for drug and firearm offenses is affirmed where, although the government's enhancement notice may not be in compliance with 21 U.S.C. section 851(a)(1), as long as the defendant has actual notice of the intended use of a prior conviction to enhance his sentence, the statute has been substantially complied with.  

Read US v. Williams, No. 09-1924

Appeals from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division

Argued September 11, 2009
Decided October 14, 2009

Judges

Before: Easterbrook, Chief Judge, and Posner and Wood, Circuit Judges

Opinion by Posner, Circuit Judge