By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//April 17, 2023//
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Case Name: United States of America v. Troy Williams
Case No.: 22-1212
Officials: Wood, St. Eve, and Kirsch, Circuit Judges.
Focus: Sentence Reduction
Williams appeals the denial of his motion under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A) for a reduced sentence from his conviction for being a key facilitator in a years-long cocaine trafficking scheme. He argues that the district court erred in holding that it was not permitted to consider whether Williams’s unconstitutionally imposed mandatory life sentence contributed to “extraordinary and compelling reasons” for the reduction of his sentence. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). In so doing, the court relied on our decision in United States v. Thacker, 4 F.4th 569 (7th Cir. 2021).
The Seventh Circuit declines the invitation for several reasons. First, it would make no difference to Williams’s case. The district court held in the alternative that even if Williams was eligible for a reduction in his sentence, this relief was not warranted in light of the factors spelled out in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). Second, it sees no reason to change its analysis at this time.
Affirmed.
Decided 04/13/23