United States v. Palma

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

BROWNING, District Judge.

THIS MATTER comes before the Court on Defendant Carmen Palma’s Motion for Downward Departure and Sentencing Memorandum, filed January 5, 2005 (Doc. 263). The Court held an evidentiary hearing on this matter at Defendant Carmen Palma’s (“Palma”) sentencing on January 31, 2005. The primary issue is whether the Court should depart downward ten levels in light of Palma’s (i) cultural history; (ii) duress and coercion exasperated by her vulnerability and the parental influence of her uncle, Jose del Carmen Palma-Amaya (“Palma-Amaya”); (iii)…