Eighth Circuit relies on Gall to affirm significant upward variance

As I have noted before, the fact that Gall seemed to loosen the stardards for appellate review of variances will not always benefit defendants. Proof comes today from the Eighth Circuit, which today in US v. Braggs, No. 07-1148 (8th Cir. Jan. 7, 2007) (available here), affirms an above-guidelines sentence by relying heavily on Gall. Here is how the opinion starts:

Keisha Braggs pled guilty to fraudulent use of an unauthorized access device, which carries a maximum term of 10 years of imprisonment. 18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(2). Although the Sentencing Guidelines recommended a sentence of 15 to 21 months, the district court imposed a sentence of 48 months.  Braggs challenges her sentence as unreasonable.  Guided by the Supreme Court’s decision in Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. ___, No. 06-7949 (Dec. 10, 2007), we affirm.

Some related post on post-Gall circuit decisions:

• Fourth Circuit affirms below-guideline sentence in first big post-Gall ruling
• Split Eleventh Circuit affirms below-guideline sentence in another post-Gall ruling
• Sixth Circuit affirms two above-guideline sentences