United States v. Dennis R. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133 (8th Cir. 1990). · Go Syfert
United States v. Dennis R. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133 (8th Cir. 1990). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
48 citation events (15 in the last 25 years) across 5 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: United States v. Wayne Lee Lussier (ca8, 2005-09-13)
Treatment trajectory · 1990 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1990 2008 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 39 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) United States v. Wayne Lee Lussier
8th Cir. · 2005 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
it is the defendant's burden to show the applicability of u.s.s.g. 2k2.1(b)(2)
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Benjaman Shelabarger
8th Cir. · 2014 · confidence medium
United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990) (citing United States v. Wilson, 884 F.2d 1355, 1356 (11th Cir. 1989)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Ronnie Benson (2×)
8th Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
“The guidelines contemplate that the government has the burden of proving the applicability of sections which would enhance the offense level and the defendant has the burden of proving the applicability of guideline sections which would reduce the offense level.” United States v. Binges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990) (internal quotation omitted).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Wayne Lee Lussier
8th Cir. · 2005 · confidence medium
United States v. Ramirez-Rios, 270 F.3d 1185, 1187 (8th Cir.2001) (citing United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Wayne Lee Lussier
8th Cir. · 2005 · confidence medium
United States v. Ramirez-Rios, 270 F.3d 1185, 1187 (8th Cir.2001) (citing United States v. Binges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States of America, Appellee/cross-Appellant v. Elijah Hayes, Appellant/cross-Appellee
8th Cir. · 2004 · confidence medium
United States v. Chatman, 119 F.3d 1335, 1341 (8th Cir.) (citing United States v. Binges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990)), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 976 , 118 S.Ct. 434 , 139 L.Ed.2d 333 (1997).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Elijah Hayes
8th Cir. · 2004 · confidence medium
United States v. Chatman, 119 F.3d 1335, 1341 (8th Cir.) (citing United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir. 1990)), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 976 (1997).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Robert Chatman
8th Cir. · 1997 · confidence medium
United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Robert Chatman
8th Cir. · 1997 · confidence medium
United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir. 1990).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Patrick Thompson
8th Cir. · 1995 · confidence medium
United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Lee O. Rayner
8th Cir. · 1993 · confidence medium
United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Walter Jerome Massey, Jr.
8th Cir. · 1993 · confidence medium
See United States v. Malbrough, 922 F.2d 458, 464 (8th Cir. 1990), cert. denied, 111 S. Ct. 2907 (1991); United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir. 1990).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Robert Lee Ridout
8th Cir. · 1993 · confidence medium
United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir. 1990).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Charles C. Starr, Also Known as Luther Kinsey, Also Known as Curtis Lang, Also Known as Tony Cash, Also Known as Tom Taft (2×) also: Cited "see"
8th Cir. · 1993 · confidence medium
The government had the burden of proving these increases, United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990), and if it believed the increases were justified based on relevant conduct, it had the burden of proving that conduct.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Bennie Doyce Skinner
11th Cir. · 1992 · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Cousens, 942 F.2d 800, 802-04 (1st Cir.1991) (no actual use indicated, defendant’s intended use of his Beretta 9mm pistol, Raven .25 caliber pistol, and other firearms was not for sporting or collection purposes); United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1134-36 (8th Cir.1990) (no actual use, defendant’s possession of loaded semiautomatic shotgun, loaded AKS-762 semiautomatic 39mm rifle, loaded Smith & Wesson .41 caliber magnum pistol, numerous rounds of ammunition, 55 and lk sticks of dynamite, and other weapons and explosives was not for sporting or collection …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Henry Bost A/K/A Scooter
8th Cir. · 1992 · confidence medium
The government bears the burden of proof in establishing a guidelines enhancement, e.g., United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990); United States v. Williams, 905 F.2d 217, 218 (8th Cir.1990), cert. denied, - U.S. -, 111 S.Ct. 687 , 112 L.Ed.2d 678 (1991), and it has simply offered no evidence to prove the tie between the weapons and Bost’s offense.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Timothy L. Cousens
1st Cir. · 1991 · confidence medium
Moreover, “[a] defendant who seeks a downward adjustment in his base offense level under section 2K2.1(b)(2) bears the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that he is entitled to the reduction.” Uzelac, 921 F.2d at 205 , citing United States v. Kirk, 894 F.2d 1162, 1164 (10th Cir.1990) (applying section 2K2.1(b)(1) of the Guidelines effective November 1, 1989); United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990) (same).
examined Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Mike J. Uzelac (3×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
9th Cir. · 1990 · confidence medium
United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135-36 (8th Cir.1990); United States v. Wilson, 878 F.2d 921, 922 (6th Cir.1989); cf. Howard, 894 F.2d at 1087 (factual findings under the Guidelines reviewed for clear error).
cited Cited "see" United States of America, Appellant/cross-Appellee v. Michael T. Petersen, Appellee/cross-Appellant
8th Cir. · 2002 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Michael T. Petersen
8th Cir. · 2002 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir. 1990).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Benito Ramirez-Rios
8th Cir. · 2001 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir. 1990).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Benito Ramirez-Rios
8th Cir. · 2001 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Paul Melvin Letts
8th Cir. · 2001 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir. 1990).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Paul Melvin Letts
8th Cir. · 2001 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Rick Waggoner (2×)
8th Cir. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Rick Waggoner
8th Cir. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir. 1990).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Robert L. Alexander, Jr., Also Known as Junior Alexander, United States of America v. Robert J. O'brien, Also Known as Grady O'brien, United States of America v. Bernard N. Kvamme, Jr.
8th Cir. · 1995 · signal: see · confidence high
Though Kvamme was not the ring leader, see West, 942 F.2d at 531 , he has not shown his involvement was "less culpable than most other participants." USSG Sec. 3B1.2, comment. (n. 3); see United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990) (defendant has burden of proving applicability of guideline section which decreases offense level). 23 Kvamme also argues that the district court erred in finding him responsible for possessing 400 pounds of marijuana.
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Alexander
8th Cir. · 1995 · signal: see · confidence high
Though Kvamme was not the ring leader, see West, 942 F.2d at 531 , he has not shown his involvement was “less culpable than most other participants.” USSG § 3B1.2, comment. (n. 3); see United States v. Binges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990) (defendant has burden of proving applicability of guideline section which decreases offense level).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Gary Saknikent
8th Cir. · 1994 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Michael Lambert Coleman
8th Cir. · 1993 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Frank J. Kissinger
8th Cir. · 1993 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990) (burden of proof); United States v. Smeathers, 884 F.2d 363, 364-65 (8th Cir.1989) (per curiam) (holding that, despite disjunctive language “obtained or possessed” in actual Guideline, commentary indicated legislative intent was to allow offense level reduction only when firearm was acquired and possessed at time of arrest for lawful purposes).
cited Cited "see" United States v. James J. Vasilopoulos
8th Cir. · 1993 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir. 1990).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Keith Cox
8th Cir. · 1993 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Donald Ray Phillips
8th Cir. · 1992 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir. 1990).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Joseph Michael Lincoln, A/K/A Mohammed Ali Ballagh Omer
8th Cir. · 1992 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990) (“ ‘The guidelines contemplate that the government has the burden of proving the applicability of sections which would enhance the offense level’ ”) (quoting United States v. Wilson, 884 F.2d 1355, 1356 (11th Cir.1989)).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Julian Jorge Morales (2×)
8th Cir. · 1991 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990) (“ ‘[t]he guidelines contemplate that the government has the burden of proving the applicability of sections which would enhance the offense level and the defendant has the burden of proving the applicability of guideline sections which would reduce the offense level’ ”); United States v. Williams, 905 F.2d 217, 218 (8th Cir.1990) (“[t]he government bears the burden of proving facts that support a sentence enhancement and the defendant bears the burden of proving facts that support a sentence reduction"), cert. denied, �…
cited Cited "see, e.g." United States v. Eliseo Rodrigo Romo
8th Cir. · 1996 · signal: see also · confidence medium
Ivester, 75 F.3d at 184-85 ; Arrington, 73 F.3d at 148 ; see also United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir. 1990).
cited Cited "see, e.g." United States v. Eliseo Rodrigo Romo
8th Cir. · 1996 · signal: see also · confidence medium
Ivester, 75 F.3d at 184-85 ; Arrington, 78 F.3d at 148; see also United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135 (8th Cir.1990).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." United States v. Samuel Olvera Chapa
10th Cir. · 1992 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See United States v. Uzelac, 921 F.2d 204 (9th Cir.1990) (defendant possessed loaded shotgun and could not show he ever had a hunting license); see also United States v. Dinges, 917 F.2d 1133, 1135-36 (8th Cir.1990) (defendant possessed loaded shotgun, numerous other weapons, and ammunition).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
UNITED STATES of America, Appellee,
v.
Dennis R. DINGES, Appellant
90-1559.
Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Dec 14, 1990.
917 F.2d 1133
1990 WL 164064
Gerald M. Dunne, St. Louis, Mo., for appellant., Dean Hoag, Asst. U.S. Atty., St. Louis, Mo., for appellee.
McMillian, Wollman, Beam.
Cited by 43 opinions  |  Published
[*1134] McMILLIAN, Circuit Judge.

Dennis R. Dinges appeals from a final judgment entered in the District Court [1] for the Eastern District of Missouri finding him guilty, pursuant to a guilty plea, of being an unlawful user of marijuana in possession of firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3). The district court sentenced him to 7 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, a fine of $3,000.00, and a special assessment of $50.00. For reversal Dinges argues the district court erred in refusing to make a downward adjustment under Guidelines § 2K2.1(b)(1) because the firearms he possessed had an intended lawful use, that is, for sporting or recreational purposes or for collection. For the reasons discussed below, we affirm the judgment of the district court.

BACKGROUND FACTS

According to the presentence report (PSR), Dinges was the driver of a car involved in an accident in Shannon County, Missouri, on May 11, 1989. When state highway patrol troopers arrived, Dinges was trapped in his car. In order to remove him from the car, the troopers had to move several items in the car, including 5 coils of explosive blasting fuse. The troopers then searched the ear and found a Remington 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun, a Poly-Technologies AKS-762 semi-automatic 39 mm rifle, a Smith & Wesson .41 magnum pistol, an Iver Johnson .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Smith & Wesson .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol, three magazines with 30 rounds each for the AKS-762, and a bandolier and 36 rounds of ammunition for the shotgun. All the guns were loaded. Also seized were 38.6 grams of marijuana, one dose of LSD, and an undetermined quantity of methamphetamine. Dinges tested positive for carboxyl-THC, indicating that he was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the accident.

Troopers also noticed a car parked near the accident. Lonnie Wilson was the driver and two of Dinges’s friends were inside. The troopers searched this car and found 55V2 sticks of dynamite, 850 meters of safety fuse, a box of blasting caps, and various firearms. According to Wilson, the dynamite belonged to Dinges.

Dinges was hospitalized briefly and then held in custody in the Shannon County jail. On May 12, 1989, he was interviewed by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) at the jail. Dinges admitted owning the firearms and dynamite. He stated that he had used the dynamite to blow up tree stumps on his farm, but a search by federal and local authorities found no evidence there of any dynamiting. Dinges was released on bond on May 15, 1989.

On the morning of September 12, 1989, an ATF special agent was contacted by an associate of Dinges. This individual stated that Dinges wanted to buy hand grenades to murder the sheriff of Shannon County. This individual wore an electronic transmitting device to a meeting with Dinges on September 13. At this meeting Dinges repeated his interest in purchasing grenades to kill the county sheriff but stated he did not have the cash to buy them at that time and that he was not in a hurry. On September 15, 1989, an undercover agent offered to sell Dinges hand grenades, but Dinges said he needed more time to get the money. The undercover agent then arrested Dinges.

Dinges was indicted for being an unlawful user of marijuana in possession of firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3). He pleaded guilty. The PSR established a base offense level of 9 under Guidelines § 2K2.1(a) [2] and recommended a 2 point reduction for acceptance of responsibility under Guidelines § 3E1.1. Dinges objected that, under Guidelines § 2K2.1(b)(1), the base offense level should be reduced to 6 because he had possessed the firearms for lawful sporting purposes or for collection. [3]

[*1135] At the sentencing hearing Dinges noted that the PSR had focused on the AKS-762 assault rifle and had recommended no downward adjustment ' under Guideline § 2K2.1(b)(l) because, based on an ATF ruling banning the importation of assault rifles, such weapons had no sporting purposes. Dinges disputed the relevance of the ATF ban and argued alternatively that the ATF ban made the assault rifle a collector’s item. The district court rejected these objections and found Dinges’s total offense level to be 7 and his criminal history category was I. The applicable guideline sentencing range was 1-7 months. The district court sentenced Dinges to 7 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, a fine of $3,000.00, and a special assessment of $50.00. This appeal followed.

DOWNWARD DEPARTURE

The government argues Dinges is improperly seeking appellate review of the district court’s refusal to grant him a downward departure. The government argues correctly that the refusal to grant a downward departure is not appealable by a defendant and is nonreviewable on appeal. See, e.g., United States v. Evidente, 894 F.2d 1000, 1003-05 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S.-, 110 S.Ct. 1956, 109 L.Ed.2d 318 (1990). However, the present appeal does not involve the refusal to grant a downward departure. At issue in the present case is the refusal to grant a downward adjustment, or reduction, in the of-, fense level.

DOWNWARD ADJUSTMENT

Dinges first argues the district court erred in placing on him the burden of proof on the issue whether he possessed the firearms for sporting or recreational purposes or for collection under Guidelines § 2K2.1(b)(l). We disagree. “The guidelines contemplate that the government has the burden of proving the applicability of sections which would enhance the offense level and the defendant has the burden of proving the applicability of guideline sections which would reduce the offense level.” United States v. Wilson, 884 F.2d 1355, 1356 (11th Cir.1989) (reduction for acceptance of responsibility under Guidelines § 3E1.1); see also United States v. Kirk, 894 F.2d 1162, 1164 (10th Cir.1990) (reduction under Guidelines § 2K2.1(b)(l); preponderance of evidence standard of proof); United States v. Urrego-Linares, 879 F.2d 1234, 1239 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 110 S.Ct. 346, 107 L.Ed.2d 334 (1989).

On the merits, Dinges argues the district court erred in finding that the assault rifle had no sporting purposes on the basis of the ATF ban. Alternatively, Ding-es argues the district court erred in failing to find that the assault rifle was a collector’s item in light of the ATF ban. We disagree. Here, the district court found that Dinges was not entitled to a downward adjustment because he possessed the assault rifle for neither sporting purposes nor as a collector’s item. We accept such a finding of fact unless it is clearly erroneous. 18 U.S.C. § 3742(e). Application note 2 to Guidelines § 2K2.1 states that the surrounding circumstances should be considered in determining whether the defendant possessed the firearms solely for sporting purposes or for collection. [4] Although Dinges’s offense occurred before the ATF ban of assault rifles was effective, the ATF ban is relevant to a determination of the firearm’s intended use. In addition, the number and type of firearms, the quantity of ammunition, and the presence of[*1136] explosives strongly support the district court’s inference that at the time of the car accident Dinges and his friends were not on an ordinary hunting trip and refute Ding-es’s claim that he possessed the firearms as collector’s items. See United States v. Kirk, 894 F.2d at 1164 (sawed-off shotguns not ordinarily considered collectibles or type of gun mounted for decoration; shotgun concealed in drawer of cabinet and was not mounted).

Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the district court.

1

.The Honorable Stephen N. Limbaugh, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

2

. Effective November 1, 1989, this guideline was amended to establish a base offense level of 12.

3

. Before November 1, 1989, this guideline provided for a 4 point reduction from the base[*1135] offense level of 9. As amended, the guideline provides for a reduction to level 6. Dinges’s objection appears to have been based upon the amended guideline.

4

. Guidelines § 2K2.1, application note 1 (now renumbered as application note 2 in the amended Guidelines) provides:

Under § 2K2.1(b)(1), intended lawful use, as determined by the surrounding circumstances, provides a decrease in the offense level. Relevant circumstances include, among others, the number and type of firearms (sawed-off shotguns, for example, have few legitimate uses) and ammunition, the location and circumstances of possession, the nature of the defendant's criminal history {e.g., whether involving firearms), and the extent to which possession is restricted by local law.