United States v. Daniels

Myron H. Thompson, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Defendant Reginald Tracy Daniels was before the court for sentencing. The question presented was whether a sentencing court had the authority to vary downward under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)1 when a defendant had received the safety-valve reduction under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(f)(1)-(5).2 The court concluded that it had the authority, but, in the exercise of discretion, declined to do so here. This opinion explains why.

Daniels pled guilty, pursuant to a Rule 11(c)(1)(A) and (B) plea agreement, to one count of aiding and abetting the attempt to possess with…