USA v. Ralph Shannon, 07-2794. Ralph Shannon pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4). The district court sentenced Shannon to 46 months’ imprisonment and a life term of supervised release. On appeal, he argues that (1) the federal sentencing scheme approved in United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005) violates the Fifth and Sixth Amendments; and (2) his sentence was unreasonable. For the following reasons, we affirm.
The presentencing investigation report (“PSR”), which the district court adopted, stated that based on Shannon’s criminal history category (I) and the offense level (twenty-three), the guidelines range was forty-six to fifty-seven months’ imprisonment with a range of two years to life of supervised release. The PSR recommended a sentence of 57 months’ imprisonment with a life term of supervised release.
Shannon raises two issues on appeal, the first of which we can dispose of in haste. Shannon argues (as far as we can discern) that his sentence was unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment and the Sixth Amendment as interpreted by Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000) because the post-Booker guidelines scheme impermissibly allows district court judges to find facts that affect federal sentences. Because Shannon failed to raise this issue before the trial court, it is forfeited, and our review is for plain error. United States v. Matthews,505 F.3d 698, 707 (7th Cir. 2007).
We have considered similar arguments on multiple occasions, and have rejected them. See United States v. Roti, 484 F.3d 934, 937 (7th Cir. 2007); United States v. Savage, 505 F.3d 754, 764 (7th Cir. 2007); United States v. Hollins, 498 F.3d 622, 633 (7th Cir. 2007); United States v. White, 472 F.3d 458, 464-65 (7th Cir. 2006).
District court judges do not violate the Constitution when they find facts by a preponderance of the evidence for purposes of calculating a guideline range, as long as the guidelines remain advisory and the ultimate decision is based on consideration of the § 3553(a) factors. Hollins, 498 F.3d at 633.
In his other argument on appeal, Shannon also contends that the district court failed to adequately articulate the reasons for her decision to sentence Shannon to the guidelines recommendation of lifetime supervision. We review sentences for reasonableness, using an abuse of discretion standard. United States v. Sura, 511 F.3d 654, 664 (7th Cir. 2007).
A sentence is reasonable if the district court gives meaningful consideration to the factors enumerated in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), including the advisory sentencing guidelines, and arrives at a sentence that is objectively reasonable in light of the statutory factors and the individual circumstances of the case. Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. ___, 128 S.Ct. 586, 596-97, 169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007); United States v. Wachowiak, 496 F.3d 744, 748 (7th Cir. 2007). The court need not address every § 3553(a) factor in checklist fashion, explicitly articulating its conclusions regarding each one. United States v. Brock, 433 F.3d 931, 934-36 (7th Cir. 2006); United States v. Dean, 414 F.3d 725, 729 (7th Cir. 2005). Instead the court may simply give an adequate statement of reasons, consistent with § 3553(a), for thinking the sentence it selects is appropriate. United States v. Harris, 490 F.3d 589, 597 (7th Cir. 2007).
A sentence within a properly calculated guideline range is presumed reasonable. United States v. Haskins, 511 F.3d 688, 695 (7th Cir. 2007) (citing Rita v. United States, ___ U.S. ___, 127 S.Ct. 2456, 168 L.Ed.2d 203 (2007)); United States v. Mykytiuk, 415 F.3d 606, 608 (7th Cir. 2005) (adopting a rebuttable presumption of reasonableness for within-guidelines sentences).
In this case, the district court sufficiently explained Shannon’s sentence, including the life term of supervised release. The court took into consideration: (1) Shannon’s limited criminal history, see § 3553(a)(1); (2) the serious nature of the offense, see id.; (3) the fact that Shannon’s interest in child pornography demonstrated a “substantial need to protect the public,” see § 3553(a)(2)(C); and (4) Shannon’s need for sex offender treatment and supervision, see § 3553(a)(2)(D).
After explaining these factors, the court found that a sentence at the low end of the guidelines range for imprisonment and at the high end of the range for supervised release was required in this case. The court adequately addressed the objections raised by Shannon, and demonstrated nothing short of a thorough and thoughtful analysis of Shannon’s case. Shannon presents nothing to disturb the rebuttable presumption of reasonableness of his within-guidelines sentence.
Accordingly, we AFFIRM Shannon’s sentence.
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