USA v. Jason McClure
Filing
UNPUBLISHED OPINION FILED. [16-50535 Affirmed 16-50536 Affirmed] Judge: WED, Judge: EBC, Judge: GJC. Mandate pull date is 08/17/2017 for Appellant Jason C. McClure [16-50535, 16-50536]
Case: 16-50535
Document: 00514090995
Page: 1
Date Filed: 07/27/2017
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 16-50535
Summary Calendar
United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
FILED
July 27, 2017
Lyle W. Cayce
Clerk
Cons. w/16-50536
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee
v.
JASON C. MCCLURE,
Defendant-Appellant
Appeals from the United States District Court
for the Western District of Texas
USDC No. 1:12-CR-217-1
USDC No. 1:12-CR-443-1
Before DAVIS, CLEMENT, and COSTA, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM: *
Jason C. McClure appeals his below guidelines sentence for conspiring
to possess with intent to distribute methylone, in violation of 21 U.S.C.
§§ 841(a)(1) & (b)(1)(C), 846. Because methylone is not specifically referenced
in U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(c), in calculating the guidelines range, the district court
Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not
be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH
CIR. R. 47.5.4.
*
Case: 16-50535
Document: 00514090995
Page: 2
Date Filed: 07/27/2017
No. 16-50535
c/w No. 16-50536
determined that MDMA was the most closely related controlled substance and
therefore applied MDMA’s 500:1 drug equivalency ratio. On appeal, McClure
contends that the district court did not recognize its authority to reject the
500:1 ratio and vary below the calculated guidelines range on that basis.
Although McClure objected to the court’s use of the 500:1 ratio, he did
not object to the district court’s explanation for denying his objection or
otherwise suggest that the court had failed to recognize its discretion to grant
a variance on that specific basis. Therefore, we review the forfeited objection
under the plain error standard. See Puckett v. United States, 556 U.S. 129, 135
(2009). To satisfy that standard, McClure must show an error that is “clear or
obvious” and that “affects his substantial rights.” See id. (internal quotation
omitted). If he makes such a showing, this court has the discretion to correct
the error but only if it seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public
reputation of judicial proceedings. See id.
Contrary to McClure’s interpretation of the court’s comments at
sentencing, the record does not reflect that the district court misunderstood its
authority to vary below the guidelines range if it disagreed with the 500:1 drug
ratio. Instead, it shows that the court found the argument for applying a lower
ratio to be “weak;” the court made an individualized determination of the
sentencing factors and varied below the guidelines range for other reasons.
McClure has therefore failed to show that the court committed any clear or
obvious error.
AFFIRMED.
2
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?