No. 19-5574

Anthony Ray Welch v. United States

Lower Court: Fifth Circuit
Docketed: 2019-08-13
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response RequestedResponse WaivedRelisted (2)IFP
Tags: circuit-split criminal-law drug-importation drug-offenses fifth-circuit listed-chemicals mens-rea methamphetamine methamphetamine-offense scienter scienter-requirement sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation
Key Terms:
SocialSecurity Securities Immigration
Latest Conference: 2019-12-13 (distributed 2 times)
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether scienter is required for the two-level increase under USSG §2D1.1(b)(5) for the importation or manufacture of methamphetamine from imported chemicals

Question Presented (from Petition)

QUESTION PRESENTED Section 2D1.1(b)(5) of the United States Sentencing Guidelines provides that “li]Jf (A) the offense involved the importation of ... methamphetamine or the manufacture of ... methamphetamine from listed chemicals that the defendant knew were imported unlawfully, and (B) the defendant is not subject to an adjustment [for a mitigating rolel, increase by 2 levels.” Although the text of the guideline provision clearly requires scienter on the part of the defendant, the Fifth Circuit case law is an outlier which holds that such an increase applies even where the defendant has no scienter regarding the source of the methamphetamine. Should this Court resolve this circuit split and clarify whether scienter is required before the two-level increase may be applied?

Docket Entries

2019-12-16
Petition DENIED.
2019-11-27
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/13/2019.
2019-11-08
Brief of respondent The United States of America in opposition filed.
2019-10-03
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including November 8, 2019.
2019-10-02
Motion to extend the time to file a response from October 9, 2019 to November 8, 2019, submitted to The Clerk.
2019-09-09
Response Requested. (Due October 9, 2019)
2019-08-29
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/1/2019.
2019-08-26
Waiver of right of respondent The United States to respond filed.
2019-08-06
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due September 12, 2019)
2019-06-26
Application (18A1357) granted by Justice Alito extending the time to file until August 23, 2019.
2019-06-21
Application (18A1357) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from June 24, 2019 to August 23, 2019, submitted to Justice Alito.

Attorneys

Anthony Welch
Pia LedermanLederman Law Firm, Petitioner
Pia LedermanLederman Law Firm, Petitioner
The United States of America
Noel J. FranciscoSolicitor General, Respondent
Noel J. FranciscoSolicitor General, Respondent