United States Of America V. Owusu

This appeal involves three individuals who were part of a conspiracy to distribute drugs in Columbus, Ohio. Larry Latham and Benjamin Owusu were the primary participants in the conspiracy, and Anthony Latham was involved in the chain of distribution. Owusu pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and cooperated with the government. After a jury trial, Anthony and Larry Latham were convicted of several federal drug violations.*fn1 Anthony appeals: (1) the district court's refusal to grant him a mitigating role adjustment to his offense level under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual (U.S.S.G.) § 3B1.2; (2) the district court's calculation of the amount of drugs attributable to him; (3) the district court's application of an enhanced sentencing penalty for the distribution of "crack" cocaine pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1; and (4) the district court's denial of his motion for a new trial based on the government's alleged violations of 18 U.S.C. § 201(c)(2). We AFFIRM each of these district court decisions.