U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2
Definitions of Terms Used in Section 4B1.1
(a) Crime of Violence.—The term "crime of violence" means any offense under federal or state law, punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, that—
(1) has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another; or
(2) is murder, voluntary manslaughter, kidnapping, aggravated assault, a forcible sex offense, robbery, arson, extortion, or the use or unlawful possession of a firearm described in 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a) or explosive material as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 841(c).
(b) Controlled Substance Offense.—The term "controlled substance offense" means an offense under federal or state law, punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, that—
(1) prohibits the manufacture, import, export, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled substance (or a counterfeit substance) or the possession of a controlled substance (or a counterfeit substance) with intent to manufacture, import, export, distribute, or dispense; or
(2) is an offense described in 46 U.S.C. § 70503(a) or § 70506(b).
(c) Two Prior Felony Convictions.—The term "two prior felony convictions" means (1) the defendant committed the instant offense of conviction subsequent to sustaining at least two felony convictions of either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense (i.e., two felony convictions of a crime of violence, two felony convictions of a controlled substance offense, or one felony conviction of a crime of violence and one felony conviction of a controlled substance offense), and (2) the sentences for at least two of the aforementioned felony convictions are counted separately under the provisions of §4A1.1(a), (b), or (c). The date that a defendant sustained a conviction shall be the date that the guilt of the defendant has been established, whether by guilty plea, trial, or plea of nolo contendere.
(d) Inchoate Offenses Included.—The terms “crime of violence” and “controlled substance offense” include the offenses of aiding and abetting, attempting to commit, or conspiring to commit any such offense.
(e) Additional Definitions.—
(1) Forcible Sex Offense.—“Forcible sex offense” includes where consent to the conduct is not given or is not legally valid, such as where consent to the conduct is involuntary, incompetent, or coerced. The offenses of sexual abuse of a minor and statutory rape are included only if the sexual abuse of a minor or statutory rape was (A) an offense described in 18 U.S.C. § 2241(c) or (B) an offense under state law that would have been an offense under section 2241(c) if the offense had occurred within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
(2) Extortion.—“Extortion” is obtaining something of value from another by the wrongful use of (A) force, (B) fear of physical injury, or (C) threat of physical injury.
(3) Robbery.—“Robbery” is the unlawful taking or obtaining of personal property from the person or in the presence of another, against his will, by means of actual or threatened force, or violence, or fear of injury, immediate or future, to his person or property, or property in his custody or possession, or the person or property of a relative or member of his family or of anyone in his company at the time of the taking or obtaining. The phrase “actual or threatened force” refers to force that is sufficient to overcome a victim’s resistance.
(4) Prior Felony Conviction.—“Prior felony conviction” means a prior adult federal or state conviction for an offense punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, regardless of whether such offense is specifically designated as a felony and regardless of the actual sentence imposed. A conviction for an offense committed at age eighteen or older is an adult conviction. A conviction for an offense committed prior to age eighteen is an adult conviction if it is classified as an adult conviction under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the defendant was convicted (e.g., a federal conviction for an offense committed prior to the defendant’s eighteenth birthday is an adult conviction if the defendant was expressly proceeded against as an adult).
Commentary
Application Notes:
1. Further Considerations Regarding "Crime of Violence" and "Controlled Substance Offense".—For purposes of this guideline—Unlawfully possessing a listed chemical with intent to manufacture a controlled substance (21 U.S.C. § 841(c)(1)) is a "controlled substance offense."
Unlawfully possessing a prohibited flask or equipment with intent to manufacture a controlled substance (21 U.S.C. § 843(a)(6)) is a "controlled substance offense."
Maintaining any place for the purpose of facilitating a drug offense (21 U.S.C. § 856) is a "controlled substance offense" if the offense of conviction established that the underlying offense (the offense facilitated) was a "controlled substance offense."
Using a communications facility in committing, causing, or facilitating a drug offense (21 U.S.C. § 843(b)) is a "controlled substance offense" if the offense of conviction established that the underlying offense (the offense committed, caused, or facilitated) was a "controlled substance offense."
A violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) or § 929(a) is a "crime of violence" or a "controlled substance offense" if the offense of conviction established that the underlying offense was a "crime of violence" or a "controlled substance offense". (Note that in the case of a prior 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) or § 929(a) conviction, if the defendant also was convicted of the underlying offense, the sentences for the two prior convictions will be treated as a single sentence under §4A1.2 (Definitions and Instructions for Computing Criminal History).)
2. Offense of Conviction as Focus of Inquiry.—Section 4B1.1 (Career Offender) expressly provides that the instant and prior offenses must be crimes of violence or controlled substance offenses of which the defendant was convicted. Therefore, in determining whether an offense is a crime of violence or controlled substance for the purposes of §4B1.1 (Career Offender), the offense of conviction (i.e., the conduct of which the defendant was convicted) is the focus of inquiry.Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective January 15, 1988 (amendment 49); November 1, 1989 (amendment 268); November 1, 1991 (amendment 433); November 1, 1992 (amendment 461); November 1, 1995 (amendment 528); November 1, 1997 (amendments 546 and 568); November 1, 2000 (amendment 600); November 1, 2002 (amendments 642 and 646); November 1, 2004 (amendment 674); November 1, 2007 (amendment 709); November 1, 2009 (amendment 736); November 1, 2015 (amendment 795); August 1, 2016 (amendment 798); November 1, 2023 (amendment 822); November 1, 2025 (amendment 836).
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4,691
cases (743 in the last 5 years), 1989–2026 · leading case: United States v. Trey Campbell
United States v. Trey Campbell (2022)
“2(b), with U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 appl. n.1. 2 Campbell also argues that his other predicate offense, a federal conviction for aiding and abetting distribution of cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a school, is not a “controlled substance offense.”
United States v. Le' Ardrus Burris (2019)
“See USSG § 4B1.2 Application Note 1, (a)(2) (2015).”
United States v. Steven L. Parson (1992)
“But based on Application Note 2 to U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2, we must conclude that the Commission did not intend to carry over any congressional distinction between crimes directed against persons and crimes directed in the first instance against property.”
United States v. Ryan William McMillan (2017)
“" U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(a) (2015).1 Subsection one contains the force clause and subsection two contains the enumerated and residual clauses.”
United States v. Marlon Eason (2020)
“” U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 cmt. n.1. The Guidelines nowhere define robbery.”
United States v. Austin (2005)
“1(a)(2) and defined under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 and its commentary. The probation officer who prepared the presentence report nonetheless recommended a base offense level increase of four levels, from 20 to 24, based on the prior Colorado conviction, which he characterized as a…”
United States v. Fernando Martinez (2016)
“Prior to sentencing, a probation officer prepared a presentence investigation report (PSIR), which recommended the district court find Martinez to be a career offender under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 – a finding that would increase his guideline sentencing range by nine years – because…”
United States v. Travis Lamont Smith (2014)
“United States establishes that state crimes are “controlled substance offense[s],” U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(2) (Nov.1988), only if they are “substantially similar” to federal drug trafficking crimes.”
United States v. Peterson (2011)
“2(a) cmt. 1, or it might be an offense that “otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another” under § 4B1.”
United States v. Thilo Brown (2017)
“90, 91; U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(a) (2002). Because the district court sentenced Petitioner on July 14, 2003, before United States v.”
De'Angelo Cross v. United States (2018)
“U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 (1992) (emphasis added); see also U.”
United States v. Moore (2019)
“He argues that neither federal bank robbery nor New York robbery in the third degree are crimes of violence under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2. Rejecting Moore's arguments, we AFFIRM.”
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(1) — 162 cases
United States v. Steven L. Parson (1992)
“But based on Application Note 2 to U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2, we must conclude that the Commission did not intend to carry over any congressional distinction between crimes directed against persons and crimes directed in the first instance against property.”
In Re: Creadell Hubbard v. (2016)
United States v. Vidal (2007)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(1)(2) — 2 cases
United States v. Delaney (2005)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(1)(i) — 26 cases
United States v. Steven L. Parson (1992)
“But based on Application Note 2 to U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2, we must conclude that the Commission did not intend to carry over any congressional distinction between crimes directed against persons and crimes directed in the first instance against property.”
De'Angelo Cross v. United States (2018)
“U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 (1992) (emphasis added); see also U.”
United States v. Deiter (2018)
PUENTE (2002)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(1)(ii) — 38 cases
United States v. Steven L. Parson (1992)
“But based on Application Note 2 to U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2, we must conclude that the Commission did not intend to carry over any congressional distinction between crimes directed against persons and crimes directed in the first instance against property.”
United States v. Holloway (2011)
PUENTE (2002)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(1)(ii)(1995) — 1 case
United States v. Gilbert (1998)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(2) — 62 cases
United States v. Travis Lamont Smith (2014)
“United States establishes that state crimes are “controlled substance offense[s],” U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(2) (Nov.1988), only if they are “substantially similar” to federal drug trafficking crimes.”
United States v. Patterson (2009)
United States v. Maldonado (2016)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(3) — 23 cases
United States v. McGlory (1992)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(3)(A) — 4 cases
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(3)(B) — 5 cases
United States v. Nichols (1990)
United States v. Apker (2002)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(A) — 1 case
United States v. Daugherty (2006)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(B) — 1 case
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a) — 1504 cases
United States v. Clay (2010)
United States v. Peterson (2011)
“2(a) cmt. 1, or it might be an offense that “otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another” under § 4B1.”
United States v. Ryan William McMillan (2017)
“" U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(a) (2015).1 Subsection one contains the force clause and subsection two contains the enumerated and residual clauses.”
United States v. Rooks (2009)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(1) — 538 cases
United States v. Le' Ardrus Burris (2019)
“See USSG § 4B1.2 Application Note 1, (a)(2) (2015).”
United States v. Marlon Eason (2020)
“” U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 cmt. n.1. The Guidelines nowhere define robbery.”
United States v. Bettcher (2018)
United States v. Moore (2019)
“He argues that neither federal bank robbery nor New York robbery in the third degree are crimes of violence under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2. Rejecting Moore's arguments, we AFFIRM.”
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(2) — 970 cases
United States v. Le' Ardrus Burris (2019)
“See USSG § 4B1.2 Application Note 1, (a)(2) (2015).”
United States v. Fernando Martinez (2016)
“Prior to sentencing, a probation officer prepared a presentence investigation report (PSIR), which recommended the district court find Martinez to be a career offender under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 – a finding that would increase his guideline sentencing range by nine years – because…”
United States v. Woods (2009)
United States v. Thilo Brown (2017)
“90, 91; U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(a) (2002). Because the district court sentenced Petitioner on July 14, 2003, before United States v.”
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(2)(2006) — 1 case
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(2)(2012) — 1 case
Lesane v. United States (2020)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(2006) — 1 case
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(2015) — 1 case
United States v. Le' Ardrus Burris (2019)
“See USSG § 4B1.2 Application Note 1, (a)(2) (2015).”
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(B) — 1 case
United States v. Ervin (2016)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(a) — 1 case
JOHNSON v. United States (2019)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(i) — 6 cases
De'Angelo Cross v. United States (2018)
“U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 (1992) (emphasis added); see also U.”
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(ii) — 3 cases
United States v. Hopkins (2009)
United States v. Denny Gay (2001)
United States v. Denny Gay (2001)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(l) — 254 cases
United States v. King (2012)
United States v. O'Connor (2017)
United States v. Curtis (2011)
United States v. Reyes (2012)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(l)(2) — 1 case
United States v. Johnson (2012)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(a)(l)(ii) — 1 case
Teixeira Fortes v. Mukasey (2007)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(b) — 800 cases
United States v. Trey Campbell (2022)
“2(b), with U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 appl. n.1. 2 Campbell also argues that his other predicate offense, a federal conviction for aiding and abetting distribution of cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a school, is not a “controlled substance offense.”
United States v. Travis Lamont Smith (2014)
“United States establishes that state crimes are “controlled substance offense[s],” U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(2) (Nov.1988), only if they are “substantially similar” to federal drug trafficking crimes.”
United States v. McKibbon (2017)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(b)(1) — 16 cases
Stegemann v. United States (2025)
United States v. Al Dorsey (2024)
United States v. Roy Cox (2026)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(b)(2) — 1 case
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(b)(3)(A) — 1 case
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(c) — 129 cases
United States v. Henry Bams (2017)
United States v. Reyes (2012)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(c)(2) — 22 cases
United States v. Robert Maro (2001)
United States v. Dean (2010)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(c)(3) — 1 case
Smith v. USA - 2255 (2024)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(c)(l) — 1 case
Carpio v. United States (2016)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(d) — 24 cases
United States v. Cooper (2025)
United States v. Al Dorsey (2024)
United States v. Joseph Ott (2026)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(e) — 7 cases
United States v. Godin (2008)
United States v. Cook (2006)
United States v. Kevin Brown (2016)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(e)(1) — 1 case
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(e)(2) — 7 cases
United States v. Mark Jordan (2007)
United States v. Ellis (2008)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(e)(3) — 10 cases
United States v. Garcia (2025)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(e)(4) — 1 case
Wilson v. United States (2024)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(e)(l) — 2 cases
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(l) — 1 case
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(l)(a) — 1 case
United States v. Davis (2006)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(l)(i) — 32 cases
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(l)(ii) — 62 cases
United States v. Winter (1994)
— U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(l)(ii)(1995) — 1 case
United States v. Gilbert (1998)
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