United States v. Richard Van Winrow

Richard Van Winrow was convicted for possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a) (1988), and for being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) (1988). Winrow was sentenced to a mandatory term of life in prison without possibility of parole under a provision of 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A) enacted a few weeks before his arrest. See Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, Pub.L. 100-690, § 6452, 102 Stat. 4181, 4371 (1988). Winrow challenges the legality of his sentence on numerous grounds. We affirm. 1

Section 841(b)(1)(A) provides…