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No Leadership Enhancement In Drug Conspiracy

By Jonathan Byrne

US v. Slade: Slade pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack. His role in the conspiracy:According to the PSR, which the district court adopted, Slade was a 'mid[-] to upper-level' member of the drug conspiracy who sold or delivered cocaine and cocaine base both to his own clientele and to other members of the conspiracy, who, in turn, sold the drugs to their clientele. Certain coconspirators also sold cocaine and cocaine base 'for' Slade on various occasions. The PSR reveals further that an unindicted co-conspirator drove Slade to various locations to deliver cocaine base to his clients.At sentencing, the district court applied a three-level enhancement (among others) for Slade's leadership role in the offense. Slade was sentenced to 365 months in prison, the top of the advisory Guideline range...continue to full post

Full post as published by Fourth Circuit Blog on January 31, 2011 (boomark / email).