United States v. Archuleta , 257 F. App'x 116 ( 2007 )


Menu:
  •                                                                            FILED
    United States Court of Appeals
    Tenth Circuit
    UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
    December 4, 2007
    TENTH CIRCUIT
    Elisabeth A. Shumaker
    Clerk of Court
    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
    Plaintiff - Appellant,                    No. 06-2251
    v.                                                D. NM
    PHILLIP ARCHULETA,                               (D.C. No. CR-01-829 MV)
    Defendant - Appellee.
    ORDER AND JUDGMENT *1
    Before BRISCOE, MURPHY, and O’BRIEN, Circuit Judges.
    Phillip Archuleta proceeded to trial for possession with intent to distribute
    fifty grams and more of actual methamphetamine and carrying a firearm during
    and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. After the government rested its case,
    the court granted Archuleta’s motion for judgment of acquittal on the firearm
    charge; the jury found him guilty of the drug charge. Archuleta was sentenced to
    *
    This order and judgment is not binding precedent except under the
    doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. It may be cited,
    however, for its persuasive value consistent with Fed. R. App. P. 32.1 and 10th
    Cir. R. 32.1.
    1
    We provisionally sealed all matters in this appeal and excused the parties
    from submitting briefs via e-mail. While we order the briefs and appendices to
    remain sealed, we decline to seal this decision.
    51 months imprisonment after the district court concluded, inter alia, he was
    entitled to (1) safety-valve relief, (2) a reduction in his offense level for being a
    minor participant and (3) a downward variance under 
    18 U.S.C. § 3553
    (a). The
    government appeals from that sentence. Because we conclude the court erred in
    determining Archuleta was entitled to safety-valve relief and a minor participant
    reduction, we reverse and remand for re-sentencing.
    I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
    On June 4, 2001, Ronnie Enriquez, accompanied by Archuleta, sold a
    pound of methamphetamine to undercover officer Matthew Gonzales for $5,700.
    Eight days later, Gonzales paged Enriquez seeking to purchase an additional two
    pounds of methamphetamine. Enriquez informed him he could not sell him the
    methamphetamine but could send his “bro,” Archuleta. (R. Vol. I at 138.) When
    Gonzales said he did not want to deal with a new person, Enriquez responded by
    telling Gonzales to call him the next day.
    The next day, June 13, 2001, Enriquez again told Gonzales he could not
    provide the drugs. Gonzales eventually agreed to deal with Archuleta and asked
    Enriquez whether Archuleta would accept $11,000 for two pounds of
    methamphetamine. Enriquez told Gonzales he would check with Archuleta and
    call him back; Enriquez subsequently informed him Archuleta would accept
    $11,200. Gonzales agreed to this price and told Enriquez to have Archuleta meet
    him at a grocery store parking lot at 7:00 P.M.
    -2-
    A little before 7:00 P.M., Gonzales, along with undercover officer Kevin
    Perno, arrived at the parking lot. Gonzales then received a telephone call from
    Enriquez inquiring about his whereabouts. Gonzales told Enriquez he was at the
    grocery store parking lot and described his vehicle. A few minutes later,
    Archuleta drove up and parked his vehicle on the passenger side of the
    undercover vehicle, two to three yards away. Archuleta motioned to Gonzales to
    enter his vehicle; Gonzales shook his head and motioned to Archuleta to enter the
    undercover vehicle. Archuleta entered the undercover vehicle through the
    passenger side rear door and handed Gonzales two pounds of methamphetamine.
    Gonzales pulled out money and began counting it. Gonzales, who was wired,
    gave the arrest signal to officers conducting surveillance. Subsequently, a
    number of officers approached the vehicle with their weapons drawn and arrested
    Archuleta. A search of Archuleta’s vehicle revealed another pound of
    methamphetamine underneath the driver’s seat and a loaded .380 semiautomatic
    pistol in the center console.
    After his arrest, Archuleta waived his rights and agreed to speak with law
    enforcement officials. Archuleta told them he obtained the three pounds of
    methamphetamine involved in the offense from Marco Sanchez. He admitted he
    had been selling methamphetamine since August 2000 and had purchased four to
    five pounds of methamphetamine per week from Sanchez at a cost of $4-5,000 per
    pound. Archuleta also stated he intended to break up the one pound of
    -3-
    methamphetamine found under the front seat of his vehicle and sell it. When
    asked about the firearm found in his vehicle, Archuleta said he purchased it in
    January or February 2001 to protect himself from being car-jacked due to the
    expensive gold rims and tires he had on his vehicle. In Archuleta’s wallet,
    officers discovered a receipt dated April 19, 2001, for rims and tires totaling
    $3,000.
    II. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
    On June 26, 2001, the government indicted Archuleta with conspiracy to
    distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in violation of 
    21 U.S.C. § 846
     (Count I), distribution of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in
    violation of 
    21 U.S.C. § 841
    (a)(1), (b)(1)(A) and 
    18 U.S.C. § 2
     (Count III),
    possession with intent to distribute fifty grams and more of methamphetamine in
    violation of 
    21 U.S.C. § 841
    (a)(1), (b)(1)(B) (Count IV) and carrying a firearm
    during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense in violation of 
    18 U.S.C. § 924
    (c)(1)(A) (Count V). In the same indictment, Enriquez was named in
    Counts I and III and also charged with distribution of more than fifty grams of
    methamphetamine in violation of 
    21 U.S.C. § 841
    (a)(1), (b)(1)(B) (Count II). On
    November 4, 2002, Archuleta pled guilty to Counts I and V. Pursuant to the plea
    agreement, the parties agreed to a total sentence of fifteen years imprisonment,
    which constituted the mandatory minimums for Counts I (ten years) and V (five
    years). However, at the plea hearing, defense counsel informed the court the
    -4-
    government might later file a motion to reduce the agreed upon sentence based on
    Archuleta’s substantial assistance. See Fed. R. Crim. P. 35(b).
    Thereafter, Archuleta began assisting Agent Frank Chavez, who was
    employed by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department but assigned to the Drug
    Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Task Force. Archuleta met with Chavez in
    late 2002 and was officially approved as a DEA informant in January 2003.
    Archuleta met with Chavez ten to twelve times and provided him information
    concerning several mid-level and upper-level drug traffickers in New Mexico. In
    March 2003, however, Chavez terminated Archuleta as an informant when
    Archuleta proposed robbing a drug trafficker and splitting the money.
    In June 2003, the government allegedly informed Archuleta it would file a
    motion for downward departure under USSG §5K1.1 and 
    18 U.S.C. § 3553
    (e)
    based on his substantial assistance. Later, when the motion was not filed,
    Archuleta learned the government no longer deemed his assistance substantial.
    He then filed a motion to compel the government to file a motion for downward
    departure under USSG §5K1.1 and § 3553(e). After a hearing, the court denied
    the motion and proceeded to sentencing. Concerned, however, that the plea
    agreement did not allow Archuleta to appeal the denial of the motion to compel,
    the court postponed sentencing to give Archuleta time to decide whether to
    proceed under the plea agreement or seek to withdraw his guilty plea. Thereafter,
    Archuleta filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea; the court denied the motion
    -5-
    because Archuleta had not demonstrated a fair and just reason for allowing him to
    withdraw.
    On August 3, 2005, Archuleta appeared for sentencing and asked the court
    to reject his plea. The court granted the request: “It is a very legitimate request.
    [Fifteen] years is an awfully long time. And the circumstances are very
    compelling.” (R. Vol. III at 898.) Thereafter, the government filed a four-count
    superseding indictment against Archuleta only, 2 charging him with conspiracy to
    possess with intent to distribute fifty grams and more of actual methamphetamine
    in violation of 
    21 U.S.C. § 846
     (Count I), two counts of possession with intent to
    distribute fifty grams and more of actual methamphetamine in violation of 
    21 U.S.C. § 841
    (a)(1), (b)(1)(A) (Counts II and III) and carrying a firearm during
    and in relation to a drug trafficking crime in violation of 
    18 U.S.C. § 924
    (c)(1)(A)
    (Count IV). The court subsequently granted the government’s motion to dismiss
    Counts I and II.
    Archuleta proceeded to trial. At the close of the government’s evidence,
    the court granted Archuleta’s motion for judgment of acquittal on the firearm
    charge (Count IV). 3 The jury found Archuleta guilty on Count III. A presentence
    2
    Enriquez had already pled guilty to Count I of the original indictment and
    had been sentenced to 56 days imprisonment (time served).
    3
    The government may not appeal from a court’s pre-verdict judgment of
    acquittal. See 
    18 U.S.C. § 3731
    ; Smith v. Massachusetts, 
    543 U.S. 462
    , 466-67
    (2005).
    -6-
    report (“P.S.R.”) was prepared. 4 Because the offense involved at least 150 grams
    but less than 500 grams of actual methamphetamine, the PSR calculated the base
    offense level as 34. See USSG §2D1.1(c)(3). The PSR applied a two-level
    enhancement for possession of a dangerous weapon, resulting in an adjusted
    offense level of 36. See USSG §2D1.1(b)(1). It declined to impose an
    “acceptance of responsibility” or “role in the offense” adjustment. Based on a
    total offense level of 36 and a Criminal History Category of I, the advisory
    guideline range was 188 to 235 months imprisonment. The PSR also noted Count
    III carried a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment. See 
    21 U.S.C. § 841
    (a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii).
    Archuleta filed a number of objections to the PSR, as well as a sentencing
    memorandum and a motion to compel the government to file a motion for
    downward departure under USSG §5K1.1 based on his substantial assistance. He
    objected to the two-level enhancement for possession of a dangerous weapon and
    claimed he was entitled to reductions for his mitigating role in the offense and
    acceptance of responsibility. He also sought a downward departure based on his
    assistance to the government, his “‘super’” acceptance of responsibility, the
    extreme disparity between his sentence and Enriquez’s, the fact he was abandoned
    by his mother at a young age, imperfect entrapment and a combination of these
    4
    Archuleta was sentenced pursuant to the 2005 edition of the United States
    Sentencing Commission Guidelines Manual. All citations to the guidelines in this
    opinion refer to the 2005 guidelines unless otherwise indicated.
    -7-
    factors. (R. Vol. II at 508.) In his sentencing memorandum, he relied on these
    same factors, as well as his exceptional efforts at rehabilitation, his young age at
    the time of the offense and his susceptibility to prison violence due to his
    youthful appearance, to claim he was entitled to a downward variance under the
    
    18 U.S.C. § 3553
    (a) factors. 5 He further argued he was safety-valve eligible and
    the court should fashion a sentence without regard to the mandatory minimum
    sentence. The government opposed these arguments.
    At sentencing, the court determined Archuleta was eligible for safety-valve
    relief. It overruled Archuleta’s objection to the possession of a dangerous
    weapon enhancement (USSG §2D1.1(b)(1)), concluding he had not met his
    burden of showing it was clearly improbable that the firearm was connected with
    the offense. However, the court concluded Archuleta was entitled to a three-level
    reduction and a two-level downward adjustment under USSG §2D1.1(a)(3)(ii) and
    §3B1.2(b), respectively, because he was a minor participant. It further
    determined Archuleta was entitled to a three-level downward adjustment for
    acceptance of responsibility. Based on these conclusions, the total offense level
    was 26, which, with a Criminal History Category of I, resulted in an advisory
    5
    A departure occurs “when a court reaches a sentence above or below the
    recommended Guidelines range through application of Chapters Four or Five of
    the Sentencing Guidelines.” United States v. Atencio, 
    476 F.3d 1099
    , 1101 n.1
    (10th Cir. 2007). A variance occurs “[w]hen a court enhances or detracts from
    the recommended range through application of § 3553(a) factors.” Id.
    -8-
    guideline range of 63 to 78 months imprisonment. 6 The court then reviewed the §
    3553(a) factors. Relevant here, in addressing the need to avoid unwarranted
    disparity under § 3553(a)(6), the court noted the significant discrepancy between
    Enriquez’s sentence (56 days) and Archuleta’s. In the end, the court determined a
    sentence within the advisory guideline range was not reasonable and sentenced
    Archuleta to 51 months imprisonment. The government appeals.
    II. DISCUSSION
    We review sentences imposed post-Booker for reasonableness. United
    States v. Kristl, 
    437 F.3d 1050
    , 1053 (10th Cir. 2006) (citing United States v.
    Booker, 
    543 U.S. 220
     (2005)). In determining whether a sentence is reasonable,
    we first consider whether the court correctly calculated the applicable guideline
    range, reviewing its legal conclusions de novo and its factual findings for clear
    error. 
    Id. at 1054
    . If the court correctly determined the guideline range and the
    defendant is sentenced within that range, the sentence is presumptively
    reasonable. 
    Id.
     The defendant may rebut this presumption by demonstrating the
    sentence is unreasonable in light of the sentencing factors set forth in 18 U.S.C.
    6
    The total offense level of 26 was calculated as follows: the base offense
    level of 34 was (1) reduced three-levels under USSG §2D1.1(a)(3) based on
    Archuleta being a minor participant under USSG §3B1.2, (2) enhanced two-levels
    under USSG §2D1.1(b)(1) for possession of a dangerous weapon, (3) reduced
    two-levels under USSG §2D1.1(b)(7) based on Archuleta being safety-valve
    eligible, (4) reduced two-levels under USSG §3B1.2(b) based on Archuleta being
    a minor participant and (5) reduced three-levels under USSG §3E1.1 for
    acceptance of responsibility.
    -9-
    § 3553(a). Id. at 1055. If, however, the court errs in applying the guidelines, we
    must remand—without reaching the question of reasonableness—unless the error
    is harmless. Id. at 1054-55.
    The government argues the district court erred in applying the guidelines in
    two respects: (1) concluding Archuleta was safety-valve eligible under USSG
    §5C1.2(a) (which is codified at 
    18 U.S.C. § 3553
    (f)) and (2) concluding Archuleta
    was a minor participant under USSG §3B1.2 and therefore reducing his offense
    level a total of five levels (three levels under USSG §2D1.1(a)(3) and two levels
    under USSG §3B1.2). The government further claims the court erred in applying
    the 
    18 U.S.C. § 3553
    (a) factors, specifically, in considering the disparity in
    Archuleta and Enriquez’s sentences. We conclude the court erred in applying the
    guidelines and those errors were not harmless. Therefore, we remand for re-
    sentencing on that basis and do not reach the government’s § 3553(a) argument.
    A. Safety-Valve Relief
    The government argues the district court erred in concluding Archuleta was
    safety-valve eligible based on its determination that Archuleta did not possess the
    firearm found in his vehicle “in connection with the offense.” See USSG
    §5C1.2(a)(2). We review a district court’s determination that a defendant is
    eligible for safety-valve relief for clear error, giving due deference to its
    application of the sentencing guidelines to the facts. United States v. Zavalza-
    Rodriguez, 
    379 F.3d 1182
    , 1184 (10th Cir. 2004); United States v. Gonzalez-
    -10-
    Montoya, 
    161 F.3d 643
    , 651 (10th Cir. 1998). “A finding of fact is clearly
    erroneous if it is without factual support in the record or if the appellate court,
    after reviewing all the evidence, is left with a definite and firm conviction that a
    mistake has been made.” United States v. Graham, 
    413 F.3d 1211
    , 1218 (10th
    Cir.) (quotations omitted), cert. denied, 
    546 U.S. 1008
     (2005). However, to the
    extent the court interpreted either the scope or meaning of the safety-valve
    provision, we review its interpretation de novo. Zavalza-Rodriguez, 
    379 F.3d at 1184
    ; Gonzalez-Montoya, 
    161 F.3d at 651
    .
    Under USSG §5C1.2(a), a court may sentence a defendant convicted under
    
    18 U.S.C. § 841
     without regard to any mandatory minimum sentence if the
    defendant proves by a preponderance of the evidence: (1) he does not have more
    than one criminal history point, (2) he did not use violence or credible threats of
    violence or possess a firearm or other dangerous weapon in connection with the
    offense, (3) the offense did not result in death or serious bodily injury to any
    person, (4) he was not an organizer, leader, manager or supervisor of others in the
    offense and was not engaged in a continuing criminal enterprise and (5) before
    sentencing, he truthfully provided to the government all information and evidence
    he has concerning the offense or offenses that were part of the same course of
    conduct or of a common scheme or plan. United States v. Virgen-Chavarin, 
    350 F.3d 1122
    , 1129 (10th Cir. 2003). The sole issue is whether the court erred in
    -11-
    concluding Archuleta satisfied the second criterion, i.e., that he did not possess a
    firearm in connection with the offense. 7
    In determining Archuleta had satisfied his burden, the district court stated:
    Under the Tenth Circuit law, the term “‘in connection with’” is
    analogous to the phrase “‘during and in relation to,’” as that phrase is
    used in [18 U.S.C. §] 924(c)(1), the statutory section that creates an
    offense for the use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug
    trafficking offense, or other crime of violence.
    At trial in this case, I ruled that the evidence did not support a
    finding that the firearm possessed by [Mr. Archuleta] at the time of
    the offense was used/carried during/in relation to the offense.
    Likewise, I now find that the evidence . . . does not support a ruling
    that [Mr. Archuleta] possessed the firearm at issue in connection with
    the drug trafficking offense. [Mr. Archuleta] has met his burden and
    shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the firearm at issue
    was not used in connection with the drug trafficking offense.
    Aside from the fact that [Mr. Archuleta] had a firearm in his car at
    the time of the offense, there is absolutely no evidence . . . to suggest
    that the weapon was connected with the offense.
    The only evidence . . . on this issue shows that the gun, in fact, was
    not connected with the [offense.] Specifically, the evidence at trial
    indicated that immediately following his arrest, Mr. Archuleta
    7
    The fact the district court enhanced Archuleta’s sentence for possession of
    a firearm under USSG §2D1.1(b)(1) did not preclude it from simultaneously
    concluding he did not possess a firearm in connection with the offense under
    USSG §5C1.2(a)(2). That is because USSG §2D1.1(b)(1) only requires proximity
    to the weapon, i.e., constructive possession, whereas USSG §5C1.2(a)(2) requires
    active possession. Moreover, the evidentiary burdens are different. Under USSG
    §2D1.1(b)(1), once the government demonstrates a firearm was possessed, the
    defendant must then show it is clearly improbable the firearm was not connected
    to the offense. Under USSG §5C1.2(a)(2), on the other hand, the defendant bears
    the sole burden of establishing by a preponderance of the evidence he did not
    possess a firearm in connection with the offense. See United States v. Zavalza-
    Rodriguez, 
    379 F.3d 1182
    , 1185-88 (10th Cir. 2004).
    -12-
    provided law enforcement with information related to the drug
    transaction. A law enforcement officer that testified at trial
    described Mr. Archuleta as being very cooperative. Mr. Archuleta
    told the agents about the methamphetamine that he had in the car.
    He told the agents what he intended to do with the methamphetamine
    in the car. He told the agents the name of the person who provided
    him the methamphetamine. He told the agents where he had picked
    up the methamphetamine. He told the agents about other drug
    transactions that he was involved with, and he told the agents how
    much he had paid for the drugs that he had received.
    Mr. Archuleta made all of these admissions at the time of his
    interview. However, he did not state that the firearm in the car was
    for . . . his use during the drug transaction. Rather, he explained that
    he had the firearm, which he left in the car, to protect himself from
    being carjacked, because he had very expensive gold rims on his car.
    Moreover, the Government’s evidence showed that at the time of the
    sale, [Mr. Archuleta] left the firearm in the console of his car. If the
    firearm had been connected to [his] drug trafficking activity, it is
    unlikely that he would have left the gun in the console of his car,
    while he went alone into another vehicle with two biker-clad men
    [(the undercover officers)], to conduct this drug transaction.
    (R. Vol. III at 865-67.) The court clearly erred in concluding Archuleta satisfied
    the second criterion for safety-valve relief.
    The “in connection with” requirement is analogous to the “in relation to”
    requirement of 
    18 U.S.C. § 924
    (c)(1). United States v. Walters, 
    269 F.3d 1207
    ,
    1219 (10th Cir. 2001) (applying USSG §2K2.1(b)(5) which enhances a
    defendant’s base offense level if he used or possessed a firearm “in connection
    with another felony offense”) (quotations omitted). The “in relation to”
    requirement of § 924(c)(1) is satisfied if the firearm “facilitates or has the
    potential to facilitate the offense but is not satisfied if the weapon’s possession is
    coincidental or entirely unrelated to the offense.” Id. (quotations omitted). Thus,
    -13-
    “a firearm’s proximity and potential to facilitate the offense is enough to prevent
    application of [USSG §5C1.2(a)(2)].” United States v. Hallum, 
    103 F.3d 87
    , 89
    (10th Cir. 1996).
    Hallum is instructive. There, the defendants were arrested when they
    carried duffle bags containing fresh marijuana from a marijuana patch to their
    vehicles 200 to 300 yards away. Officers found a rifle in one of the vehicles;
    Hallum admitted he owned the firearm and claimed he brought it to shoot snakes.
    The district court rejected the defendants’ argument that they were entitled to
    safety-valve relief because they did not possess the firearm in connection with the
    offense. 103 F.3d at 89. It rejected Hallum’s reason for the rifle, concluding that
    if the defendants intended to use it to protect themselves from snakes, they would
    not have left the rifle in the vehicle. Id. It also determined the rifle was
    possessed in connection with the offense because it was close to the marijuana
    patch, accessible and the defendants were carrying the marijuana to the rifle’s
    location. Id. We affirmed, concluding the evidence established proximity and the
    firearm’s potential to facilitate the offense. Id.
    Similarly, both proximity and the potential to facilitate the offense are
    present in this case. The firearm was found in Archuleta’s vehicle in which he
    transported three pounds of methamphetamine for sale. 8 He intended to conduct
    the drug transaction with the undercover officers in his vehicle. It was only
    because Gonzales refused to enter his vehicle that the transaction did not occur
    8
    Archuleta’s possession of the third pound of methamphetamine for sale is
    relevant to our discussion because the application notes to USSG §5C1.2(a)(2)
    define the term “offense” as both the offense of conviction and all relevant
    conduct. USSG §5C1.2, comment. (n.3).
    -14-
    where the firearm was present. Even when Archuleta entered the undercover
    vehicle without the firearm, it remained accessible and only a few yards away.
    Moreover, it remained with the other pound of methamphetamine Archuleta
    intended to break up and sell in smaller quantities. This is hardly “coincidental or
    entirely unrelated” to the drug transaction. Walters, 
    269 F.3d at 1219
     (emphasis
    added). Even if the firearm did not directly facilitate the drug transaction (as the
    district court concluded), it certainly had the potential to do so.
    Archuleta, like the district court, relies on the fact he only admitted to
    purchasing the firearm to protect the expensive rims and tires on his vehicle. This
    story, while convenient, stretches credulity since Archuleta purchased the gun
    several months prior to purchasing the rims and tires – yet while he was
    distributing methamphetamine. Nevertheless, even deferring to the court’s
    credibility determination on this matter, the fact Archuleta would use the firearm
    to protect rims and tires valued at $3,000 lends itself to the reasonable inference
    that he would use the firearm to protect drugs valued at $11,200. 9
    The district court clearly erred in determining Archuleta was safety-valve
    eligible. Consequently, it erred in sentencing him without regard to the ten-year
    mandatory minimum and in applying the two-level reduction under USSG
    §2D1.1(b)(7).
    9
    Archuleta argues it is lawful in New Mexico for an individual to possess
    and carry a concealed and loaded firearm within their vehicle for protection of
    their property. See N.M. Stat. § 30-7-2(A)(2). However, it is illegal under
    federal law for an individual to use or carry a firearm while engaged in drug-
    trafficking. See 
    18 U.S.C. § 924
    (c).
    -15-
    B. Minor Role
    The government argues the district court erred in granting Archuleta a
    three-level reduction under USSG §2D1.1(a)(3) and a two-level downward
    adjustment under USSG §3B1.2(b) based on its conclusion Archuleta was a minor
    participant. A court’s determination that a defendant was a minor participant is a
    factual finding which we review for clear error. United States v. Youngpeter, 
    986 F.2d 349
    , 354 (10th Cir. 1993).
    USSG §3B1.2(b) provides for a two-point downward adjustment in the
    offense level if the defendant “was a minor participant” in the criminal activity.
    If the defendant receives an adjustment under USSG §3B1.2 and his base offense
    level is 34 or 36, USSG §2D1.1(a)(3) provides for an additional three-level
    reduction in the offense level. USSG §3B1.2(b)’s “minor participant” adjustment
    applies to a defendant “who is less culpable than most other participants, but
    whose role could not be described as minimal.” USSG §3B1.2, comment. (n.5).
    The defendant bears the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence
    that he is entitled to such adjustment. United States v. Mendoza, 
    468 F.3d 1256
    ,
    1264 (10th Cir. 2006).
    In determining Archuleta was a minor participant, the district court stated:
    The evidence shows . . . Mr. Enriquez[] was the one who set up the
    drug deal through numerous conversations with Agent Gonzales. Mr.
    Enriquez had done a drug deal with the agent on another occasion
    before the arrest at issue. Mr. Enriquez negotiated the price of the
    methamphetamine with Agent Gonzales, and it was Mr. Enriquez
    who negotiated the time and the place of the deal.
    At trial, Agent Gonzales testified that he asked Mr. Enriquez if his
    bro would find $5500 per pound of methamphetamine acceptable,
    -16-
    instead of $5,700 per pound, the rate that he had previously
    negotiated with Mr. Enriquez.
    At that time, Mr. Enriquez said, let me check, and I’ll call you back.
    He called a short time later, and a price of $11,200 was agreed on.
    I note that there is no evidence that Enriquez called Mr. Archuleta to
    negotiate the price. In fact, the defendant’s cell phone was seized at
    the time of his arrest, but no attempt was ever made to trace his cell
    phone records.
    From the evidence before me, it appears that the only role the
    defendant played in this transaction was obtaining and delivering the
    methamphetamine at Mr. Enriquez’[s] request. Based on these facts,
    I find that [Mr. Archuleta] was less culpable than Mr. Enriquez, and
    therefore, is a minor participant, and is eligible for a two-level
    decrease in offense level.
    (R. Vol. III at 870-71.) The court clearly erred in finding Archuleta was a minor
    participant because this finding is not supported by the evidence.
    The evidence, which was uncontradicted, demonstrated Gonzales
    unsuccessfully attempted to purchase two pounds of methamphetamine from
    Enriquez and agreed to purchase them instead from Archuleta. When Gonzales
    asked Enriquez whether Archuleta would accept $11,000 for the drugs, Enriquez
    informed him he would have to check with Archuleta and would call him back. A
    short time later, Enriquez called Gonzales and told him Archuleta would accept
    $11,200. After his arrest, Archuleta informed law enforcement officers he
    obtained the two pounds of methamphetamine he intended to sell to the
    undercover officers, as well as the one pound of methamphetamine found in his
    vehicle, from Marco Sanchez, not Enriquez. He also stated he purchased four to
    five pounds of methamphetamine weekly from Sanchez and had purchased thirty-
    -17-
    six pounds of methamphetamine from Sanchez between August 2000 and June 13,
    2001. 10 Additionally, he stated he had intended to break up the one pound of
    methamphetamine found in his vehicle and sell it. This evidence demonstrates
    Archuleta was not less culpable than Enriquez as to the June 13, 2001 transaction
    but rather that Archuleta was more culpable than Enriquez. It was Archuleta, not
    Enriquez, who obtained the drugs from his source, decided the ultimate price, and
    delivered the drugs to the officers. Enriquez merely served as the middleman.
    The district court’s reasoning to the contrary is flawed. It relies in part on
    the fact the government did not produce Archuleta’s cellphone records to show a
    call occurred between him and Enriquez after Enriquez informed Gonzales he
    would see if Archuleta would accept $11,000 for the drugs. But Gonzales never
    testified Enriquez was going to call Archuleta, as opposed to meeting him in
    person, so such phone call may not even exist. In any event, it was not necessary
    for the government to show an actual call was made because Archuleta, not the
    government, bears the burden of showing he is entitled to the adjustment.
    Moreover, based on Gonzales’ testimony (which the district court did not find
    untrustworthy and which the jury obviously relied upon to convict) and the fact
    Enriquez did not immediately agree to the suggested price, the reasonable
    inference is that Enriquez did check with Archuleta concerning the price and it
    10
    We recognize Archuleta’s statements do not add up. Had he purchased
    four to five pounds of methamphetamine weekly from Sanchez between August
    2000 and June 2001, he would have purchased substantially more than thirty-six
    pounds of methamphetamine. Nevertheless, the key point is that Sanchez, not
    Enriquez, was Archuleta’s supplier and more importantly, that it was Sanchez, not
    Enriquez, who had supplied Archuleta with the three pounds of methamphetamine
    involved in the June 13, 2001 offense.
    -18-
    was Archuleta, not Enriquez, that determined the ultimate price. Indeed,
    Gonzales testified that in his previous dealings with Enriquez, Enriquez never had
    to check with another individual before setting the price.
    The district court clearly erred in finding Archuleta was a minor participant
    in the June 13, 2001 transaction and entitled to a three-level reduction and a two-
    level downward adjustment under USSG §2D1.1(a)(3) and §3B1.2(b),
    respectively.
    The judgment is REVERSED and this case is REMANDED for re-
    sentencing in accordance with this Order and Judgement.
    ENTERED FOR THE COURT
    Terrence L. O’Brien
    Circuit Judge
    -19-