US v. Watkins, 09-3966

Denial of sentence reduction in crack cocaine conviction affirmed

US v. Watkins, 09-3966, concerned a challenge to the district court's denial of a sentence reduction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 3582(c)(2), in a prosecution of defendant for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

In affirming, the court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant's current motion for reduction pursuant to Amendment 505.  The court also held that the district court correctly found that defendant was ineligible for a sentence reduction based on Amendment 706 because this Amendment did not reduce defendant's sentencing range.  Lastly, the court held that the district court correctly held that because the requirements of section 1B1.10 were not met in this case, it did not have the authority to permit a sentence reduction under section 3582(c)(2).

Related Link:

• Read Sixth Circuit's Full Decision in US v. Watkins, 09-3966