No. 18-6398

Deon Pittman v. United States

Lower Court: Sixth Circuit
Docketed: 2018-10-23
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: circuit-split controlled-substance criminal-statute drug-offense element-of-offense federal-law means-of-offense michigan-law sentencing-guidelines state-law state-statute
Key Terms:
FifthAmendment
Latest Conference: 2018-11-30
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the specific type of controlled substance is an element of the offense or one of many means to commit the offense under a state statute that prohibits the delivery of a 'controlled substance' by reference to various schedules

Question Presented (OCR Extract)

QUESTION PRESENTED FOR REVIEW Michigan Compiled Laws § 333.7401(2)(a)(iv) prohibits the manufacture, creation, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture, create, or deliver less than 50 grams of a “controlled substance” listed on schedules 1 or 2, § 333. 7214(a)(iv). Michigan’s schedule 1 includes two substances not included in schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 812. The Michigan narcotics statute is therefore broader than the CSA. Thus, whether § 333.7401(2)(a)(iv) constitutes a “controlled substance offense” under section 4B1.2(b) of the U.S. Sentencing Guideline depends on whether the specific controlled substance, i.e., heroin, cocaine, or Salvinorin A, is an element of the offense or one of many means to commit the offense. When a state statute prohibits the delivery of a “controlled substance” by reference to various schedules, is the specific type of substance an element of the offense? ii

Docket Entries

2018-12-03
Petition DENIED.
2018-11-08
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 11/30/2018.
2018-10-30
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2018-10-15
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due November 23, 2018)

Attorneys

Deon Pittman
Colleen P FitzharrisFederal Defender Office, Petitioner
United States
Noel J. FranciscoSolicitor General, Respondent