United States v. Lovins

Defendant Rynell Lovins appeals his sentence for attempted bribery of a law enforcement officer to hinder a federal investigation in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(3), and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). He raises two issues on appeal: 1) whether this court has jurisdiction to review a district courts rejection of a government-recommended sentence in favor of a lengthier sentence within the applicable range provided by the United States Sentencing Guidelines; and 2) assuming appellate jurisdiction, whether the district court erred in imposing a 36-month sentence instead of a 33-month sentence as recommended by the government.