United States v. Gerald Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264 (8th Cir. 1993). · Go Syfert
United States v. Gerald Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264 (8th Cir. 1993). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“an indictment will ordinarily be held sufficient unless it is so defective that it cannot be said, by any reasonable construction, to charge the offense for which the defendant was convicted.”
66 citation events (54 in the last 25 years) across 11 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: United States v. Johnson (iand, 2002-06-21) · Strongest negative: United States v. Anthony Williams (ca8, 1994-06-02)
Treatment trajectory · 1993 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1993 2009 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 39 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited "but see" United States v. Anthony Williams
8th Cir. · 1994 · signal: but see · confidence high
But see United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1267-68 (8th Cir. 1993) (Heaney, J., concurring) (objecting to sentences based on state-law crimes not chargeable in federal court but acknowledging their propriety under this court's guidelines precedents); United States v. Wilson, 992 F.2d 156, 159 (8th Cir.) (Heaney, J., concurring) (same), cert. denied, 114 S. Ct. 242 (1993).
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) United States v. Johnson (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
N.D. Iowa · 2002 · signal: cf. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
to establish reversible error from the denial of a motion for a bill of particulars, a defendant must show that he was actually surprised at trial and suffered prejudice from the denial.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) United States v. Kwame Askia
8th Cir. · 2018 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
an indictment will ordinarily be held sufficient unless it is so defective that it cannot be said, by any reasonable construction, to charge the offense for which the defendant was convicted.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Wicahpe Milk
8th Cir. · 2023 · confidence medium
To establish reversible error based on a denial of his motion, Milk “must show that he was actually surprised at trial and suffered prejudice from the denial.” United States v. Livingstone, 576 F.3d 881, 883 (8th Cir. 2009) (quoting United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir. 1993)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Justin Sholley-Gonzalez
8th Cir. · 2021 · confidence medium
United States v. Steffen, 687 F.3d 1104, 1109 (8th Cir. 2012) (quoting United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir. 1993)). 1.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Samantha Flute
8th Cir. · 2019 · confidence medium
“An indictment is legally sufficient on its face if it contains all of the essential elements of the offense charged, fairly informs the defendant of the charges against which [s]he must defend, and alleges sufficient information to allow a defendant to plead a conviction or acquittal as a bar to subsequent prosecution.” United States v. Fleming 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir. 1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Wesley Wyatt
8th Cir. · 2017 · confidence medium
See 18 U.S.C. § 922 (g)(1); United States v. Hernandez, 299 F.3d 984, 992 (8th Cir. 2002) (“ ‘An indictment will ordinarily be held sufficient unless it is so defective that it cannot be said, by any reasonable construction, to charge the offense for which the defendant was convicted.’ ” (quoting United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir. 1993))).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Sadler
10th Cir. · 2016 · confidence medium
Critically, as a matter of well-settled law, “§ 2X1.1, when cross-referenced by § 2K2.1(c), does not require a conviction before a district court may use the guideline provision applicable to the conduct underlying the firearm offense.” O’Flanagan, 339 F.3d at 1234 (emphasis added); see Willis, 925 F.2d at 360 ; accord United States v. Earls, 704 F.3d 466, 474 (7th Cir.2012); United States v. Drew, 200 F.3d 871, 877-79 (D.C.Cir.2000); United States v. Branch, 91 F.3d 699, 742-43 (5th Cir.1996); United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1266-67 (8th Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. John Steffen
8th Cir. · 2012 · confidence medium
“An indictment is legally sufficient on its face if it contains all of the essential elements of the offense charged, fairly informs the defendant of the charges against which he must defend, and alleges sufficient information to allow a defendant to plead a conviction or acquittal as a bar to a subsequent prosecution.” United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Bowie (2×)
8th Cir. · 2010 · confidence medium
United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir.1993) (internal citation omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Prentice (2×)
D. Minnesota · 2010 · confidence medium
See, Hamling v. United States, 418 U.S. 87, 117 , 94 S.Ct. 2887 , 41 L.Ed.2d 590 (1974); *1005 United States v. Hernandez, 299 F.3d 984 , 992 (8th Cir.2002), cert. denied, 537 U.S. 1134 , 123 S.Ct. 918 , 154 L.Ed.2d 825 (2003); United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Levi Akai Livingstone
8th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
To establish reversible error based on a denial of his motion, Mr. Livingstone "must show that he was actually surprised at trial and suffered prejudice from the denial." United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir. 1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Livingstone
8th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
To establish reversible error based on a denial of his motion, Mr. Livingstone “must show that he was actually surprised at trial and suffered prejudice from the denial.” United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Sohn
8th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
An indictment is sufficient if it contains “all of the essential elements of the offense charged, fairly informs the defendant of the charges against which he must defend, and alleges sufficient information to allow a defendant to plead a conviction or acquittal as a bar to a subsequent prosecution.” United States v. Cavins, 543 F.3d 456, 458 (8th Cir.2008), citing United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Emmanuel Sohn (2×)
8th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
An indictment is sufficient if it contains “all of the essential elements of the offense charged, fairly informs the defendant of the charges against which he must defend, and alleges sufficient information to allow a defendant to plead a conviction or acquittal as a bar to a subsequent prosecution.” United States v. Cavins, 543 F.3d 456, 458 (8th Cir. 2008), citing United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir. 1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Robert Cavins, Jr.
8th Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
An indictment is sufficient if “it contains all of the essential elements of the offense charged, fairly informs the defendant of the charges against which he must defend, and alleges sufficient information to allow a defendant to plead a conviction or acquittal as a bar to a subsequent prosecution.” United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir. 1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Cavins
8th Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
An indictment is sufficient if “it contains all of the essential elements of the offense charged, fairly informs the defendant of the charges against which he must defend, and alleges sufficient information to allow a defendant to plead a conviction or acquittal as a bar to a subsequent prosecution.” United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Senogles (2×)
D. Minnesota · 2008 · confidence medium
See, Hamling v. United States, 418 U.S. 87, 117 , 94 S.Ct. 2887 , 41 L.Ed.2d 590 (1974); United States v. Hernandez, 299 F.3d 984 , 992 (8th Cir.2002), cert. denied, 537 U.S. 1134 , 123 S.Ct. 918 , 154 L.Ed.2d 825 (2003); United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264,1265 (8th Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Rodriguez
2d Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
See United States v. O’Flanagan, 339 F.3d 1229, 1232-35 (10th Cir.2003); United States v. Drew, 200 F.3d 871, 877-79 (D.C.Cir.2000); United States v. Branch, 91 F.3d 699, 742-43 (5th Cir. 1996); United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1266-67 (8th Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Warsame
D. Minnesota · 2008 · confidence medium
The Eighth Circuit has held that an indictment is “legally sufficient on its face if it contains all of the essential elements of the offense charged, fairly informs the defendant of the charges against which he must defend, and alleges sufficient information to allow a defendant to plead a conviction or acquittal as a bar to a subsequent prosecution.” United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir.1993).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Walter Sewell
8th Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
United States v. Hernandez, 299 F.3d 984 , 992 (8th Cir. 2002) (quoting United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir. 1993)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Sewell
8th Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
United States v. Hernandez, 299 F.3d 984 , 992 (8th Cir.2002) (quoting United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir.1993)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Christopher Brown
8th Cir. · 2007 · confidence medium
In addition, Brown’s double-counting contention is foreclosed by United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1266-67 (8th Cir.1993) (approving the use of enhancements under both § 2K2.1 and § 3A1.2 based upon a fleeing defendant’s act of shooting at an officer while possessing a firearm).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Timothy Red Elk
8th Cir. · 2004 · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Smith, 997 F.2d 396, 397 (8th Cir.1993) (per curiam); United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1266 (8th Cir.1993).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Timothy Red Elk
8th Cir. · 2004 · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Smith, 997 F.2d 396, 397 (8th Cir. 1993) (per curiam); United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1266 (8th Cir. 1993).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Erik Brings White
8th Cir. · 2004 · confidence medium
See United States v. Wilson, 992 F.2d 156, 159 (8th Cir. 1993) (Heaney, J., concurring); United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1267 (8th Cir. 1993) (Heaney, J., concurring).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Erik Brings White (2×)
8th Cir. · 2004 · confidence medium
See United States v. Wilson, 992 F.2d 156, 159 (8th Cir.1993) (Heaney, J., concurring); United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1267 (8th Cir.1993) (Heaney, J., concurring).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. O'Flanagan
10th Cir. · 2003 · confidence medium
Id. at 879 (citing United States v. Branch, 91 F.3d 699, 743 (5th Cir.1996), and United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1266 (8th Cir.1993)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Justin G. Hernandez (2×)
8th Cir. · 2002 · confidence medium
“To establish reversible error from the denial of a motion for a bill of particulars, a defendant must show that he was actually surprised at trial and suffered prejudice from the denial.” United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Hernandez (2×)
8th Cir. · 2002 · confidence medium
"To establish reversible error from the denial of a motion for a bill of particulars, a defendant must show that he was actually surprised at trial and suffered prejudice from the denial." United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265 (8th Cir.1993). 12 Here, the district court denied Hernandez' first motion for a bill of particulars because Hernandez had failed to comply with the terms of the court's progression order.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Brad Eugene Branch, Kevin Whitecliff, Jaime Castillo, Renos Lenny Avraam, Paul Fatta and Graeme Leonard Craddock (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
5th Cir. · 1996 · confidence medium
The cross-reference provision contains no language requiring that the defendant be convicted of the other offense. 253 See also United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1266 (8th Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Lawrence Gregory Iron Cloud
8th Cir. · 1996 · confidence medium
Cf. United States v. Sloley, 19 F.3d 149, 154 (4th Cir.) (enhancement under § 3A1.2(b) was appropriate where the arresting officer testified that the defendant resisted arrest, grabbed the arresting officer’s gun, and pointed the *391 gun at the officer), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 114 S.Ct. 2757 , 129 L.Ed.2d 873 (1994); United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1265-66 (8th Cir.1993) (enhancement under § 3A1.2(b) was appropriate where the defendant, during flight, fired a shot at the pursuing police officer).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Clary
E.D. Mo. · 1994 · confidence medium
An estimated 90 percent increase [62] in the prison population during the last several years is directly related to the mandatory minimum drug sentences and the sentencing guidelines. [63] As of July 1993, 60.4 percent of the inmates in the Bureau of Prisons are there for drug related offenses. [64] "Attorney General Reno told the Judicial *787 Conference this past summer that the federal prisons are filling faster than new prisons can be built, and the Bureau of Prison faces gridlock within three years." U.S. v. Fleming, 8 F.3d. 1264, 1267 (8th Cir.1993) (Heaney, J., dissenting).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Douglas Johnson
8th Cir. · 1993 · confidence medium
Johnson's contention, however, is foreclosed by our decisions in United States v. Fleming, No. 92-3188, 1993 WL 417760, at * 2 (8th Cir. Oct. 21, 1993) and United States v. Smith, 997 F.2d 396, 397 (8th Cir. 1993) (per curiam).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Dennis Hoffman, Also Known as Lawrence Hoffman
8th Cir. · 1993 · confidence medium
See United States v. Muhammad, 948 F.2d 1449, 1455-56 (6th Cir.1991) (construing robbery “victim” under U.S.S.G. § 2B3.1(b)(3) broadly to include employees, bystanders, customers, or police, officers), cert. denied, - U.S. -, 112 S.Ct. 1239 , 117 L.Ed.2d 472 (1992); United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1267 (8th Cir.1993) (construing “victim” of felon in possession of a firearm to include police officer assaulted by *51 defendant for purposes of § 3A1.2(b)).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Cofield
E.D. Va. · 2002 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Drew, 200 F.3d 871, 878-79 (D.C.Cir.2000) (citing Branch and United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1266 (8th Cir.1993)).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Ortiz-Granados
5th Cir. · 1994 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264 (8th Cir.1993) (affirming § 3A1.2(b) enhancement even though defendant argued that his offense— being a felon in possession of a firearm — "ha[d] no official victim since the ‘victim’ [was] society in general”); Powell, 6 F.3d at 614 ("Note 1 does not preclude application of the official victim enhancement where an official victim is assaulted within the meaning of subsection (b).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." United States v. Drew, Wilbert Jerome (2×)
D.C. Cir. · 2000 · signal: see also · confidence medium
Application Note 2, which defines "substantive offense," "applies only if section 2X1.1 is applied directly, rather than as a cross-reference from section 2K2.1." United States v. Branch, 91 F.3d 699, 743 (5th Cir. 1996) (quotation omitted); see also United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1266 (8th Cir. 1993).
cited Cited "see, e.g." UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. BRAD EUGENE BRANCH, KEVIN WHITECLIFF, JAIME CASTILLO, RENOS LENNY AVRAAM, PAUL FATTA AND GRAEME LEONARD CRADDOCK
unknown court · signal: see also · confidence medium
See also United States v. Fleming, 8 F.3d 1264, 1266 (8th Cir. 1993).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
UNITED STATES of America, Appellee,
v.
Gerald FLEMING, Appellant
92-3188.
Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Oct 21, 1993.
8 F.3d 1264
Frank R. Fabbri, III, St. Louis, MO, argued, for appellant., Thomas Joseph Mehan, Asst. U.S. Atty., St. Louis, MO, argued, for appellee.
Beam, Bowman, Heaney.
Cited by 52 opinions  |  Published
1 passage pin-cited by 1 case
Pinpoint authority: bottom 70%
Citer courts: Eighth Circuit (1)
Reporter's Syllabus — editorial summary, not part of the Court's opinion

Frank R. Fabbri, III, St. Louis, MO, argued, for appellant.

Thomas Joseph Mehan, Asst. U.S. Atty., St. Louis, MO, argued, for appellee.

Before BOWMAN, Circuit Judge, HEANEY, Senior Circuit Judge, and BEAM, Circuit Judge.

BEAM, Circuit Judge.

Lead Opinion

[*1265] BEAM, Circuit Judge.

Fleming appeals his conviction and sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). We affirm.

I. BACKGROUND

In the early morning of October 12, 1991, police officers responded to reports of a disturbance in St. Louis. A man with a gun was threatening people on a street corner. The man fled and the officers chased him. During the chase, the man fired a shot at the pursuing officer and then escaped. Shortly thereafter, witnesses identified the man as Gerald Fleming. Upon investigation, the officers determined that Fleming sometimes resided with his girlfriend and that he might return to her apartment. That afternoon, the girlfriend’s neighbor contacted the police to report that Fleming had returned to the apartment. While the officers were en route to the apartment, they were informed by radio that another neighbor had reported hearing several gunshots coming from the girlfriend’s apartment. Police entered the apartment without a warrant where they found Fleming and a 357-magnum with four spent shells. Fleming was arrested at the scene.

Fleming was indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The first trial in this case resulted in a mistrial. After a second trial to a jury, he was convicted. The district court sentenced him to 87 months for the offense.[1]

II. DISCUSSION

Fleming first challenges the legal sufficiency of the indictment. He contends that the district court erred in denying his motion for a bill of particulars.[2] According to Fleming, he was unable to frame a defense to the charge because he could not determine whether the possession charge was for the morning or the afternoon incident.

An indictment is legally sufficient on its face if it contains all of the essential elements of the offense charged, fairly informs the defendant of the charges against which he must defend, and alleges sufficient information to allow a defendant to plead a conviction or acquittal as a bar to a subsequent prosecution. United States v. Young, 618 F.2d 1281, 1286 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 844, 101 S.Ct. 126, 66 L.Ed.2d 52 (1980). An indictment will ordinarily be held sufficient unless it is so defective that it cannot be said, by any reasonable construction, to charge the offense for which the defendant was convicted. Id. To establish reversible error from the denial of a motion for a bill of particulars, a defendant must show that he was actually surprised at trial and suffered prejudice from the denial. United States v. Stephenson, 924 F.2d 753, 762 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. —, 112 S.Ct. 63, 116 L.Ed.2d 39 (1991).

Fleming’s protest is specious. The superseding indictment charged Fleming with possession of a firearm on October 12, 1991. Evidence relating to both the morning incident and the afternoon incident was adduced at the evidentiary hearing on the motion and at the first and second trials. It is clear from the record that the parties knew the trial court regarded both incidents as “one possession through a series of continuous acts.” Transcript of Sentencing Hearing at 3-118 (September 4, 1992). At the hearing on Fleming’s motion, police officers testified about the morning incident. Fleming’s counsel then conceded “[n]ow, at least, we know that they are alleging that it’s the same weapon earlier in the morning as it is in the afternoon. ... [E]ven if the Government won’t respond specifically to the bill of particulars, at least we know what evidence they’re going to be submitting.” Transcript of Arraignment and Evidentiary Hearing at 166 (January 9, 1992). Whether the prosecution focused on events which occurred in the morning or the afternoon of October 12, 1991, or both, is of no consequence. We have[*1266] reviewed the indictment at issue and find it legally sufficient.

Fleming also asserts that the district court erred in overruling his motion to suppress. We have reviewed the transcript of the evidentiary hearing on that motion and find overwhelming evidence to support the Magistrate Judge’s finding that there were exigent circumstances to justify the warrant-less search.[3] See United States v. Fleming, No. 91-224CR(5), Memorandum, Order and Recommendation of United States Magistrate Judge at 11-12, 1992 WL 546728 (E.D.Mo. March 26,1992). The district court adopted those findings and recommendations. United States v. Fleming, No. 91-224CR(5), Order (E.D.Mo. April 8, 1992). We agree with the district court’s rationale and affirm for the reasons set forth in its well-reasoned opinion. See 8th Cir.R. 47B.

Fleming next challenges the district court’s application of the United States Sentencing Guidelines (“Guidelines”). He first asserts that the district court misapplied U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1., which sets the base offense levels for firearms offenses and includes provisions for cross-referencing to other provisions. Fleming bases his vague challenge to the application of section 2K2.1 on assertions that the district court applied the wrong burden of proof. Though his argument is not explicit, we assume that Fleming is making a constitutional challenge to use of the cross-reference provisions. The thrust of his argument seems to be the fundamental unfairness of considering uncharged conduct in sentencing under the Guidelines.

Whatever the intuitive appeal of his position, the issue is not “simmer[ing] in confusion” as he contends. A district court’s consideration of uncharged conduct in sentencing does not violate a defendant’s constitutional rights if the government proves such conduct by a preponderance of the evidence. United States v. Galloway, 976 F.2d 414, 422-25 (8th Cir.1992) (en banc) (because defendant’s uncharged crimes are treated as sentencing factors, rights to indictment, jury trial, and proof beyond a reasonable doubt do not come into play), cert. denied, — U.S. —, 113 S.Ct. 1420, 122 L.Ed.2d 790 (1993). Although the specific issue in Galloway was whether the relevant-conduct guideline (U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3) was constitutional, the same analysis applies to the constitutionality of the cross-referencing provision. United States v. Smith, 997 F.2d 396, 400 (8th Cir.1993). The relevant conduct guideline and the cross-referencing provision similarly allow a district court to consider uncharged conduct in determining a defendant’s offense level. Id.; see also United States v. Humphries, 961 F.2d 1421, 1422-23 (9th Cir.1992) (per curiam) (upholding as constitutional district court’s cross-reference to sections 2X1.1 and 2A2.2, even though defendant had been charged only with being a felon in possession of a firearm). Here, we find the government proved the aggravated assault by at least a preponderance of the evidence and the district court therefore properly applied the cross-referencing provision.

Fleming also challenges the district court’s calculation of his sentence. At the sentencing hearing, the district court found that Fleming had assaulted a police officer and fired a shot. The district court concluded that a cross-reference to aggravated assault was proper. The district court adopted the recommendations of the Presentence Report (PSR) and sentenced Fleming at the upper end of the guideline range.[4] The dis[*1267] trict court based its findings on the testimony adduced at trial. We find ample evidence to support the district court’s finding and find no error in its application of the Guidelines.

Fleming last contends that the district court erred in making a victim-related adjustment. Section 3A1.2(b) of the Guidelines provides a three-level increase if “during the course of the offense or immediate flight therefrom, the defendant ... knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that a person was a law enforcement or corrections officer, assaulted such officer in a manner creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury.” Fleming contends, without authority, that being a felon in possession of a firearm has no official victim since the “victim” is society in general. The district court found that “during the course of this offense, the defendant, in fact, was quite aware that the person that he was involved with when he had possession of the gun was a law enforcement officer; and that, in fact, he did assault such law enforcement officer in a manner that created a substantial risk of serious bodily injury.” Transcript of Sentencing Hearing at 3-139-40 (Sept. 4, 1992). This finding is amply supported by the evidence. A three-level increase is appropriate in a prosecution for being a felon in possession of a firearm when an assault on a police officer is involved. See United States v. Hooker, 997 F.2d 67 (5th Cir.1993).

III. CONCLUSION

For the reasons stated above, the judgment of the district is affirmed.

1

Fleming was also charged in state court and entered a plea of guilty to a charge of assault of a law enforcement officer — second degree.

2

Fleming did not file any motion to dismiss the indictment, his only challenge to the indictment in district court was a motion for a bill of particulars.

3

The Honorable Frederick R. Buckles, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

4

In this case, the PSR indicated that Fleming had used the firearm in the morning assault on the police officer. The base offense level for being a felon in possession of a firearm is ordinarily 12. Applying the cross-reference provisions of the Guidelines applicable to a felon in possession of a firearm, see U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1, the PSR recommended adding 3 points to the base offense level for using the firearm in the commission or attempted commission of another crime. Fleming’s base offense level was therefore 15. To this, the PSR recommended adding 5 points under U.S.S.G. § 2A2.2(b)(2)(A) as a specific offense characteristic since a firearm was discharged. The PSR also recommended a victim-related adjustment of 3 points under U.S.S.G. § 3A1.2(a)(b) since the victim was a law enforcement officer and the defendant created a substantial risk of serious bodily injury. Fleming’s recommended total offense level was 23, which,[*1267] when coupled with Fleming's criminal history category of IV, resulted in a guideline range of 70 to 87 months.

Concurrence

HEANEY, Senior Circuit Judge,

concurring.

This case is but another in a growing list of eases in which the government charges an offender as a felon in possession with the knowledge that if the offender is convicted or pleads guilty to that charge, the sentencing will turn on some state law offense that the government will attempt to prove through hearsay at the sentencing hearing. Although I am compelled by this court’s “relevant conduct” precedents to concur, I remain firmly convinced that the use of so-called relevant conduct in this context violates Fleming’s right to due process of law.

I first addressed this issue in United States v. Wilson, 992 F.2d 156, 159 (8th Cir.1993) (Heaney, J., concurring). Wilson pleaded guilty to the felon in possession charge, only to be sentenced for attempted murder. My dispute in Wilson was “not over whether a preponderance of the evidence supported a finding of attempted first-degree murder, but whether we, or any federal court, should be making any finding in this regard” because the attempted murder alleged in that ease “is not a federal offense.” Id. A federal “prosecutor could not even have charged Wilson with the alleged attempted murder,” and therefore the proper place for that charge was “in state court, where Wilson would have the right to a jury trial, to confront witnesses, and to have the necessary findings made beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id.

Fleming’s case differs slightly in that he was charged and pleaded guilty to second-degree assault of a law enforcement officer in state court. See supra at 1265 n. 1. Presumably Fleming has been or will be sentenced in state court for this offense. Rather than simply rely on the state to see that he is punished, the sentencing guidelines, through their cross-reference provisions and related enhancements, double Fleming’s offense level based on this uncharged (and, before our court, unchargeable) conduct. See supra at 1266 n. 4 (offense level moves from 12 to 23). Fleming’s sentencing range tripled, moving from 21-27 months to 70-87 months.

This sentencing regime turns federalism on its head, but more importantly, it violates the offender’s right to due process of law. Attorney General Reno told the Judicial Conference last month that the federal prisons are filling faster than we can possibly build new prisons, and that the Bureau of Prisons[*1268] faces “gridlock” within three years. The guidelines (and the drug laws) could be modified in a variety of ways to deal with this problem. One obvious way would be to eliminate or severely restrict the use of these cross-reference provisions. It makes little sense, after all, that when our prisons are rapidly filling to the brink, we triple an offender’s sentence in order to ensure that he be punished for conduct that does not violate federal law.