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ubsection (c)(2) in a
multiple count situation:
The defendant is convicted of one count of violating 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) for possessing
a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense (5 year mandatory minimum), and
one count of violating 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(B) (5 year mandatory minimum, 40 year
statutory maximum). Applying subsection (c)(2)(A), the court determines that the drug
count (without regard to the 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) count) qualifies the defendant as a
career offender under §4B1.1(a). Under §4B1.1(a), the otherwise applicable guideline
range for the drug count is 188-235 months (using offense level 34 (because the statutory
maximum for the drug count is 40 years), minus 3 levels for acceptance of responsibility,
and criminal history category VI). The court adds 60 months (the minimum required by
18 U.S.C. § 924(c)) to the minimum and the maximum of that range, resulting in a
guideline range of 248-295 months. Applying subsection (c)(2)(B), the court then
determines the career offender guideline range from the table in subsection (c)(3) is 262-
327 months. The range with the greatest minimum, 262-327 months, is used to impose
the sentence in accordance with §5G1.2(e).
Background: Section 994(h) of Title 28, United States Code, mandates that the Commission assure
that certain "career" offenders receive a sentence of imprisonment "at or near the maximum term
authorized." Section 4B1.1 implements this directive, with the definition of a career offender tracking
in large part the criteria set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 994(h). However, in accord with its general
guideline promulgation authority under 28 U.S.C. § 994(a)-(f), and its amendment authority under
28 U.S.C. § 994(o) and (p), the Commission has modified this definition in several respects to focus
more precisely on the class of recidivist offenders for whom a lengthy term of imprisonment is
appropriate and to avoid "unwarranted sentencing disparities among defendants with similar records
who have been found guilty of similar criminal conduct . . . ." 28 U.S.C. § 991(b)(1)(B). The
Commission’s refinement of this definition over time is consistent with Congress’s choice of a
directive to the Commission rather than a mandatory minimum sentencing statute ("The [Senate
Judiciary] Committee believes that such a directive to the Commission will be more effective; the
guidelines development process can assure consistent and rational implementation for the
Committee’s view that substantial prison terms should be imposed on repeat violent offenders and
repeat drug traffickers." S. Rep. No. 225, 98th Cong., 1st Sess. 175 (1983)).
Subsection (c) provides rules for determining the sentence for career offenders who have been
convicted of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) or § 929(a). The Career Offender Table in subsection (c)(3) provides
a sentence at or near the statutory maximum for these offenders by using guideline ranges that
§4B1.2 GUIDELINES MANUAL November 1, 2005
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correspond to criminal history category VI and offense level 37 (assuming §3E.1.1 (Acceptance of
Responsibility) does not apply), offense level 35 (assuming a 2-level reduction under §3E.1.1
applies), and offense level 34 (assuming a 3-level reduction under §3E1.1 applies).
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective January 15, 1988 (see Appendix C, amendments 47 and 48);
November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendments 266 and 267); November 1, 1992 (see Appendix C, amendment 459); November 1, 1994
(see Appendix C, amendment 506); November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C, amendment 528); November 1, 1997 (see Appendix C,
amendments 546 and 567); November 1, 2002 (see Appendix C, amendment 642).
§4B1.2. Definitions of Terms Used in Section 4B1.1
(a) The term "crime of violence" means any offense under federal or state law,
punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, that --
(1) has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical
force against the person of another, or
(2) is burglary of a dwelling, arson, or extortion, involves use of explosives,
or otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of
physical injury to another.
(b) The term "controlled substance offense" means an offense under federal or state
law, punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, that prohibits the
manufacture, import, export, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled substance
(or a counterfeit substance) or the possession of a controlled substance (or a
counterfeit substance) with intent to manufacture, import, export, distribute, or
dispense.
(c) The term "two prior felony convictions" means (1) the defendant committed the
instant offense of conviction subsequent to sustaining at least two felony
convictions of either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense (i.e.,
two felony convictions of a crime of violence, two felony convictions of a
controlled substance offense, or one felony conviction of a crime of violence and
one felony conviction of a controlled substance offense), and (2) the sentences
for at least two of the aforementioned felony convictions are counted separately
under the provisions of §4A1.1(a), (b), or (c). The date that a defendant sustained
a conviction shall be the date that the guilt of the defendant has been established,
whether by guilty plea, trial, or plea of nolo contendere.
Commentary
Application Notes:
1. For purposes of this guideline—
"Crime of violence" and "controlled substance offense" include the offenses of aiding and
abetting, conspiring, and attempting to commit such offenses.
"Crime of violence" includes murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, aggravated assault, forcible
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §4B1.2
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sex offenses, robbery, arson, extortion, extortionate extension of credit, and burglary of a
dwelling. Other offenses are included as "crimes of violence" if (A) that offense has as an
element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of
another, or (B) the conduct set forth (i.e., expressly charged) in the count of which the
defendant was convicted involved use of explosives (including any explosive material or
destructive device) or, by its nature, presented a serious potential risk of physical injury to
another.
"Crime of violence" does not include the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon,
unless the possession was of a firearm described in 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a). Where the instant
offense of conviction is the unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, §2K2.1 (Unlawful
Receipt, Possession, or Transportation of Firearms or Ammunition; Prohibited Transactions
Involving Firearms or Ammunition) provides an increase in offense level if the defendant had
one or more prior felony convictions for a crime of violence or controlled substance offense;
and, if the defendant is sentenced under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 924(e), §4B1.4 (Armed
Career Criminal) will apply.
Unlawfully possessing a listed chemical with intent to manufacture a controlled substance
(21 U.S.C. § 841(d)(1)) is a "controlled substance offense."
Unlawfully possessing a firearm described in 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a) (e.g., a sawed-off shotgun
or sawed-off rifle, silencer, bomb, or machine gun) is a "crime of violence".
Unlawfully possessing a prohibited flask or equipment with intent to manufacture a controlled
substance (21 U.S.C. § 843(a)(6)) is a "controlled substance offense."
Maintaining any place for the purpose of facilitating a drug offense (21 U.S.C. § 856) is a
"controlled substance offense" if the offense of conviction established that the underlying
offense (the offense facilitated) was a "controlled substance offense."
Using a communications facility in committing, causing, or facilitating a drug offense
(21 U.S.C. § 843(b)) is a "controlled substance offense" if the offense of conviction established
that the underlying offense (the offense committed, caused, or facilitated) was a "controlled
substance offense."
A violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) or § 929(a) is a "crime of violence" or a "controlled substance
offense" if the offense of conviction established that the underlying offense was a "crime of
violence" or a "controlled substance offense". (Note that in the case of a prior 18 U.S.C. §
924(c) or § 929(a) conviction, if the defendant also was convicted of the underlying offense, the
two prior convictions will be treated as related cases under §4A1.2 (Definitions and
Instructions for Computing Criminal History).)
"Prior felony conviction" means a prior adult federal or state conviction for an offense
punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, regardless of whether such
offense is specifically designated as a felony and regardless of the actual sentence imposed.
A conviction for an offense committed at age eighteen or older is an adult conviction. A
conviction for an offense committed prior to age eighteen is an adult conviction if it is classified
as an adult conviction under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the defendant was convicted
(e.g., a federal conviction for an offense committed prior to the defendant’s eighteenth birthday
is an adult conviction if the defendant was expressly proceeded against as an adult).
§4B1.4 GUIDELINES MANUAL November 1, 2005
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2. Section 4B1.1 (Career Offender) expressly provides that the instant and prior offenses must be
crimes of violence or controlled substance offenses of which the defendant was convicted.
Therefore, in determining whether an offense is a crime of violence or controlled substance for
the purposes of §4B1.1 (Career Offender), the offense of conviction (i.e., the conduct of which
the defendant was convicted) is the focus of inquiry.
3. The provisions of §4A1.2 (Definitions and Instructions for Computing Criminal History) are
applicable to the counting of convictions under §4B1.1.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective January 15, 1988 (see Appendix C, amendment 49); November 1, 1989
(see Appendix C, amendment 268); November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendment 433); November 1, 1992 (see Appendix C, amendment
461); November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C, amendment 528); November 1, 1997 (see Appendix C, amendments 546 and 568); November
1, 2000 (see Appendix C, amendment 600); November 1, 2002 (see Appendix C, amendments 642 and 646); November 1, 2004 (see
Appendix C, amendment 674).
§4B1.3. Criminal Livelihood
If the defendant committed an offense as part of a pattern of criminal conduct engaged
in as a livelihood, his offense level shall be not less than 13, unless §3E1.1 (Acceptance
of Responsibility) applies, in which event his offense level shall be not less than 11.
Commentary
Application Notes:
1. "Pattern of criminal conduct" means planned criminal acts occurring over a substantial period
of time. Such acts may involve a single course of conduct or independent offenses.
2. "Engaged in as a livelihood" means that (1) the defendant derived income from the pattern of
criminal conduct that in any twelve-month period exceeded 2,000 times the then existing hourly
minimum wage under federal law; and (2) the totality of circumstances shows that such
criminal conduct was the defendant’s primary occupation in that twelve-month period (e.g., the
defendant engaged in criminal conduct rather than regular, legitimate employment; or the
defendant’s legitimate employment was merely a front for his criminal conduct).
Background: Section 4B1.3 implements 28 U.S.C. § 994(i)(2), which directs the Commission to
ensure that the guidelines specify a "substantial term of imprisonment" for a defendant who
committed an offense as part of a pattern of criminal conduct from which he derived a substantial
portion of his income.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective June 15, 1988 (see Appendix C, amendment 50); November 1, 1989
(see Appendix C, amendment 269); November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C, amendment 354).
§4B1.4. Armed Career Criminal
(a) A defendant who is subject to an enhanced sentence under the provisions of
18 U.S.C. § 924(e) is an armed career criminal.
(b) The offense level for an armed career criminal is the greatest of:
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §4B1.4
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(1) the offense level applicable from Chapters Two and Three; or
(2) the offense level from §4B1.1 (Career Offender) if applicable; or
(3) (A) 34, if the defendant used or possessed the firearm or ammunition
in connection with either a crime of violence, as defined in
§4B1.2(a), or a controlled substance offense, as defined in
§4B1.2(b), or if the firearm possessed by the defendant was of a
type described in 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a)*; or
(B) 33, otherwise.*
*If an adjustment from §3E1.1 (Acceptance of Responsibility) applies,
decrease the offense level by the number of levels corresponding to that
adjustment.
(c) The criminal history category for an armed career criminal is the greatest of:
(1) the criminal history category from Chapter Four, Part A (Criminal
History), or §4B1.1 (Career Offender) if applicable; or
(2) Category VI, if the defendant used or possessed the firearm or
ammunition in connection with either a crime of violence, as defined in
§4B1.2(a), or a controlled substance offense, as defined in §4B1.2(b), or
if the firearm possessed by the defendant was of a type described in 26
U.S.C. § 5845(a); or
(3) Category IV.
Commentary
Application Notes:
1. This guideline applies in the case of a defendant subject to an enhanced sentence under
18 U.S.C. § 924(e). Under 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(1), a defendant is subject to an enhanced
sentence if the instant offense of conviction is a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) and the
defendant has at least three prior convictions for a "violent felony" or "serious drug offense,"
or both, committed on occasions different from one another. The terms "violent felony" and
"serious drug offense" are defined in 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2). It is to be noted that the definitions
of "violent felony" and "serious drug offense" in 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2) are not identical to the
definitions of "crime of violence" and "controlled substance offense" used in §4B1.1 (Career
Offender), nor are the time periods for the counting of prior sentences under §4A1.2
(Definitions and Instructions for Computing Criminal History) applicable to the determination
of whether a defendant is subject to an enhanced sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 924(e).
It is also to be noted that the procedural steps relative to the imposition of an enhanced
sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 924(e) are not set forth by statute and may vary to some extent from
jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
§4B1.5 GUIDELINES MANUAL November 1, 2005
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2. Application of §4B1.4 in Cases Involving Convictions Under 18 U.S.C. § 844(h), § 924(c), or
§ 929(a).—If a sentence under this guideline is imposed in conjunction with a sentence for a
conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 844(h), § 924(c), or § 929(a), do not apply either subsection
(b)(3)(A) or (c)(2). A sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 844(h), § 924(c), or § 929(a) accounts for
the conduct covered by subsections (b)(3)(A) and (c)(2) because of the relatedness of the
conduct covered by these subsections to the conduct that forms the basis for the conviction
under 18 U.S.C. § 844(h), § 924(c), or § 929(a).
In a few cases, the rule provided in the preceding paragraph may result in a guideline range
that, when combined with the mandatory consecutive sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 844(h),
§ 924(c), or § 929(a), produces a total maximum penalty that is less than the maximum of the
guideline range that would have resulted had there not been a count of conviction under 18
U.S.C. § 844(h), § 924(c), or § 929(a) (i.e., the guideline range that would have resulted if
subsections (b)(3)(A) and (c)(2) had been applied). In such a case, an upward departure may
be warranted so that the conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 844(h), § 924(c), or § 929(a) does not
result in a decrease in the total punishment. An upward departure under this paragraph shall
not exceed the maximum of the guideline range that would have resulted had there not been a
count of conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 844(h), § 924(c), or § 929(a).
Background: This section implements 18 U.S.C. § 924(e), which requires a minimum sentence of
imprisonment of fifteen years for a defendant who violates 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) and has three previous
convictions for a violent felony or a serious drug offense. If the offense level determined under this
section is greater than the offense level otherwise applicable, the offense level determined under this
section shall be applied. A minimum criminal history category (Category IV) is provided, reflecting
that each defendant to whom this section applies will have at least three prior convictions for serious
offenses. In some cases, the criminal history category may not adequately reflect the defendant’s
criminal history; see §4A1.3 (Adequacy of Criminal History Category).
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C, amendment 355). Amended effective November 1, 1992 (see Appendix
C, amendment 459); November 1, 2002 (see Appendix C, amen
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