No. 22-653

Melvin Ray v. United States

Lower Court: Fifth Circuit
Docketed: 2023-01-17
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: abduction abduction-definition circuit-split criminal-procedure different-location guideline-commentary judicial-interpretation sentencing-guidelines stinson-v-united-states
Key Terms:
SocialSecurity Securities Immigration
Latest Conference: 2023-02-17
Question Presented (from Petition)

Under § 2B3.1(b)(4)(A) of the United States Sentencing Guidelines ("U.S.S.G "), a four- level increase applies to a defendant 's offense level, " if any person was abducted to facilitate commission of the offense or to facilitate escape. "And the guideline commentary defines "abducted " as follows: Abducted means that a victim was forced to accompany an offender to a different location. For example, a bank robber 's forcing a bank teller from the bank into a getaway car would constitute an abduction. U.S.S.G. § 1B1.1 cmt.n.l(A). (emphasis added).

Federal courts have interpreted the term "different location as used in lBl. 's cmt.n.l(A), in a way that has developed a split of authority over whether the forced movement of victims from one room or area to another room or area within the same building constitute an abduction for purposes of § 2B3.1(b)(4)(A). Accordingly, if Commentary in the Guideline Manual that interprets or explains a guideline of authoritative. Stinson v. United States, 508 U.S. 36,38 (1993). To read "different location " in a way that does not comports with rest of the commentary 's abducted definition would raise a "authoritative concern " that "defies judicial proceedings. " A court would apply the four-level abduction enhancement to defendants where the only minimum movement was within a single building.

The case raises the following important issues: Whether the failure to follow the commentary 's abduction definition engendered a broad circuit split — and if so, do it show that the victims were "''abducted within the meaning of § 2B3.1(b)(4)(A)?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the failure to follow the commentary's abduction definition engendered a broad circuit split — and if so, do it show that the victims were 'abducted' within the meaning of § 2B3.1(b)(4)(A)?

Docket Entries

2023-02-21
Petition DENIED.
2023-01-25
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/17/2023.
2023-01-19
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2022-08-25
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due February 16, 2023)

Attorneys

Melvin Ray
Melvin Ray — Petitioner
United States
Elizabeth B. PrelogarSolicitor General, Respondent