United States v. Barker

CANBY, Circuit Judge:

Each appellant pleaded guilty to one count arising from participation in a single shipment of marijuana that was part of a large and protracted marijuana smuggling operation. Each was sentenced to the maximum term permitted by statute. On appeal, each contends that the district court abused its ordinarily wide discretion in sentencing by failing adequately to consider individualized factors. We agree, vacate appellants’ sentences, and remand for individualized resentencing in accord with this opinion.

BACKGROUND

From 1977 to 1981, a large-scale drug smuggling organization…