No. 25-6906

Namir White v. United States

Lower Court: Third Circuit
Docketed: 2026-02-25
Status: Pending
Type: IFP
IFP
Tags: controlled-substance-offense drug-offense prior-conviction sentencing-enhancement sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation
Latest Conference: N/A
Question Presented (from Petition)

Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines § 2K2.1(a)(2), a defendant previously convicted of a "controlled substance offense" is subject to a sentencing enhancement. The Guidelines define "controlled substance offense" as "an offense under federal or state law * * * that prohibits the manufacture, import, export, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled substance." U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(b) (emphasis added); see id. § 2K2.1 application note 1. The Guidelines do not, however, define "controlled substance."

When a federal defendant is subject to a controlled substance enhancement under the Sentencing Guidelines, does the term "controlled substance" in the Sentencing Guidelines refer only to those substances controlled under federal law or also include substances controlled under state law?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the term 'controlled substance' in the federal Sentencing Guidelines § 2K2.1(a)(2) refers only to substances controlled under federal law or also includes substances controlled under state law

Docket Entries

2026-02-20
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due March 27, 2026)

Attorneys

Namir White
Richard CoughlinRichard Coughlin, Esq., LLC, Petitioner
United States
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent