USA v. Eckles et al

OCR transcription for search; preserved printed pages are authoritative

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE “ER 6 :

WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA

",
STATESVILLE DIVISION ‘d
CHARLOTTE “Rc
SEP 5 2007
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ) UNDER SEAL US. DISTENCT couRT
) RN DISTRICT oF rec
vs. ) DOCKET NO. 5:05CR9-V-34
)
CORTNEY SIRRON PHIFER ) MOTION FOR A DOWNWARD
) DEPARTUREUSS.S.G. § 5K1.1
)

NOW COMES the United States of America, by and through Gretchen C.F. Shappert,
United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, who moves, pursuant to
Section 5K1.1 of the Sentencing Guidelines for a downward departure from the applicable
guideline range to reflect defendant’s substantial assistance.

The defendant has provided substantial assistance in the investigation and prosecution of

other individuals, The degree of such a reduction must be reasonable and should reflect the

Court’s assessment of the defendant’s substantial assistance in the investigation and prosecution

of others. “Substantial weight should be given to the government’s evaluation of the extent of

the defendant’s assistance, particularly where the extent and value of the assistance are difficult
to ascertain.” Section S5K1.1 Application Note 3. Additionally, “the sentencing judge must...
state the reasons for reducing a sentence under [5K1.1].” Commentary to Section 5K1.1.
BASIS FOR MOTION AND SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION
Section 5K1.1(a) U.S.S.G., enumerates a non-exclusive list of factors the Court may
consider in determining whether a downward departure should be granted and, if so, the extent of
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such departure. Below, the United States addresses each such relevant factor and sets for the

specific recommended reduction based on such factor.

We owisine ease 5:05-cr-O0009-MEO-DCK Document 867 Filed 09/05/07 Page 1 of 4

INFORMATION

GPO

The defendant is currently facing a guideline range of 135 to 168 months, offense level
33, criminal history category _I_.

(a)(1) the court’s evaluation of the significance and usefulness of the defendant’s
assistance, taking into consideration the government’s evaluation of the assistance
rendered;

Government’s evaluation and recommendation:

The Defendant has been debriefed by agents and has provided information
about drug trafficking.

(a)(2) the truthfulness, completeness, and reliability of any information or testimony
provided by the defendant;
Government’s evaluation and recommendation:

The defendant’s information is considered by the government to be truthful
and reliable,

(a)(3)_ the nature and extent of the defendant’s assistance;
Government’s evaluation and recommendation:
The defendant has provided information to investigators and testified at the
trial of Travis Ramseur. The defendant provided material and highly
relevant information to law enforcement regarding a Statesville homicide.
Defendant also convinced his own brother to cooperate with authorities in
the homicide investigation.

(a)(4) any injury suffered, or and danger or risk of injury to the defendant or his family
resulting from his assistance;

Government’s evaluation and recommendation:

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The government is not aware of any threats made against the defendant.
However, cooperation in drug cases is inherently dangerous.

Case 5:05-cr-O0009-MEO-DCK Document 867 _ Filed 09/05/07 Page 2of4

(a)(5) the timeliness of the defendant’s assistance.
Government’s evaluation and recommendation:

The defendant’s cooperation was timely.

TOTAL OFFENSE LEVEL: 32
CRIMINAL HISTORY CATEGORY: I
GUIDELINE RANGE: Recommendation 120 months

-[The government has withdrawn the 21 U.S.C. § 851 Notice in this case]

* THIS RECOMMENDATION IS THE LOWEST RECOMMENDATION FOR
REDUCTION BY THE GOVERNMENT. IF THE DEFENDANT’S OBJECTIONS TO
THE PSR RESULT IN ANY MODIFICATION TO THE CALCULATIONS IN THE PSR,
THE GOVERNMENT’S RECOMMENDATION AS TO THE “GUIDELINE RANGE”
ABOVE WILL NOT BE REDUCED BY SUCH MODIFICATION,

The United States respectfully requests the Court to depart downward from the original
calculations of the PSR and impose a sentence with the range as calculated under the above
recommendation.

Respectfully submitted, this the 4th day of September, 2007.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
Bar Number 9460

Attorney for the Plaintiff

227 West Trade Street, Suite 1650
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-338-3110 (Direct Line)
704-227-0259 (fax)
gretchen.shappert@usdoj. gov

Case 5:05-cr-O0009-MEO-DCK Document 867 _ Filed 09/05/07 Page 3of4

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

Thereby certify that the foregoing motion was duly served upon the defendant through
defendant’s counsel, by Electronic Filing:

Christopher A. Beechler

200 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 304
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
cbeechler@beechlerlaw.com

This the 4th _ day of September, 2007.

s/ TCHEN C.F. SHAPPERT

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY | ~

Bar Number 9460

Attorney for the Plaintiff

227 West Trade Street, Suite 1650
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-338-3110 (Direct Line)
704-227-0259 (fax)
gretchen.shappert@usdoj.gov

Case 5:05-cr-O0009-MEO-DCK Document 867 _ Filed 09/05/07 Page 4of4