US v. Hall, 08-4368

Imposition of an enhanced sentence for drug conviction affirmed

US v. Hall, 08-4368, concerned a challenge to the district court's imposition of a sentence upon a defendant for drug related crimes in using his state murder conviction to enhance his base offense level under the Guidelines.


In affirming the sentence, the court held that, because the district court sufficiently explained its rationale for doing so and considered the section 3553(a) sentencing factors, it did not commit plain error in its application of section 5G1.3(c) when setting defendant's federal sentence to run consecutively to his state sentences.  The court also held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in relying upon the base level in section 2A1.1(a) to determine defendant's appropriate sentence.

Related Link:

• Read the Sixth Circuit's Full Decision in US v. Hall, 08-4368