Opinion
Nos. 96-4298, 97-5310 and 97-5316
DECIDED December 8, 1999
G. Richard Strafer, Miami, FL, for Hidalgo.
Rhonda A. Anderson, Miami, FL, for Olivera.
Harriett R. Galvin, Phillip DiRosa, Miami, FL, for Plaintiff-Appellee in docket Nos. 96-4298 and 97-5316.
Eduardo I. Sanchez, Asst. U.S. Atty., Miami, FL, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Dawn Bowen, Asst. U.S. Atty., Howard M. Srebnick, Miami, FL, for Plaintiff-Appellee in docket No. 97-5310.
Appeals from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Appellants Peter Hidalgo, Samuel Olivera, and Andres Campillo appeal their convictions and sentences on multiple federal drug and firearm charges. For a variety of reasons, each appellant seeks to have his conviction overturned and his sentence vacated. Based upon the record in this case and having considered the argument of the parties, we find no reversible error.
We find one sentencing issue meriting discussion. Appellants contend that the district court erred in enhancing their sentence by two levels for "restraint of a victim" under § 3A1.3 of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The victim in this case was a co-conspirator who was suspected of betraying the other defendants, and who rejoined the conspiracy after he was released. The appellants argue that, as a matter of law, a co-conspirator may not be considered a victim under this provision in the guidelines. We disagree, finding that the guideline provision allowing enhancement for restraint of a victim contemplates the restraint of any victim, co-conspirator or otherwise. Accordingly, we affirm the appellants' convictions and sentences.
AFFIRMED.