21 U.S.C. § 860

Distribution or manufacturing in or near schools and colleges

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(a) Penalty

Any person who violates section 841(a)(1) of this title or section 856 of this title by distributing, possessing with intent to distribute, or manufacturing a controlled substance in or on, or within one thousand feet of, the real property comprising a public or private elementary, vocational, or secondary school or a public or private college, junior college, or university, or a playground, or housing facility owned by a public housing authority, or within 100 feet of a public or private youth center, public swimming pool, or video arcade facility, is (except as provided in subsection (b)) subject to (1) twice the maximum punishment authorized by section 841(b) of this title; and (2) at least twice any term of supervised release authorized by section 841(b) of this title for a first offense. A fine up to twice that authorized by section 841(b) of this title may be imposed in addition to any term of imprisonment authorized by this subsection. Except to the extent a greater minimum sentence is otherwise provided by section 841(b) of this title, a person shall be sentenced under this subsection to a term of imprisonment of not less than one year. The mandatory minimum sentencing provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to offenses involving 5 grams or less of marihuana.

(b) Second offenders

Any person who violates section 841(a)(1) of this title or section 856 of this title by distributing, possessing with intent to distribute, or manufacturing a controlled substance in or on, or within one thousand feet of, the real property comprising a public or private elementary, vocational, or secondary school or a public or private college, junior college, or university, or a playground, or housing facility owned by a public housing authority, or within 100 feet of a public or private youth center, public swimming pool, or video arcade facility, after a prior conviction under subsection (a) has become final is punishable (1) by the greater of (A) a term of imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than life imprisonment or (B) three times the maximum punishment authorized by section 841(b) of this title for a first offense, and (2) at least three times any term of supervised release authorized by section 841(b) of this title for a first offense. A fine up to three times that authorized by section 841(b) of this title may be imposed in addition to any term of imprisonment authorized by this subsection. Except to the extent a greater minimum sentence is otherwise provided by section 841(b) of this title, a person shall be sentenced under this subsection to a term of imprisonment of not less than three years. Penalties for third and subsequent convictions shall be governed by section 841(b)(1)(A) of this title.

(c) Employing children to distribute drugs near schools or playgroundsNotwithstanding any other law, any person at least 21 years of age who knowingly and intentionally—(1) employs, hires, uses, persuades, induces, entices, or coerces a person under 18 years of age to violate this section; or(2) employs, hires, uses, persuades, induces, entices, or coerces a person under 18 years of age to assist in avoiding detection or apprehension for any offense under this section by any Federal, State, or local law enforcement official,is punishable by a term of imprisonment, a fine, or both, up to triple those authorized by section 841 of this title.(d) Suspension of sentence; probation; parole

In the case of any mandatory minimum sentence imposed under this section, imposition or execution of such sentence shall not be suspended and probation shall not be granted. An individual convicted under this section shall not be eligible for parole until the individual has served the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment as provided by this section.

(e) DefinitionsFor the purposes of this section—(1) The term “playground” means any outdoor facility (including any parking lot appurtenant thereto) intended for recreation, open to the public, and with any portion thereof containing three or more separate apparatus intended for the recreation of children including, but not limited to, sliding boards, swingsets, and teeterboards.(2) The term “youth center” means any recreational facility and/or gymnasium (including any parking lot appurtenant thereto), intended primarily for use by persons under 18 years of age, which regularly provides athletic, civic, or cultural activities.(3) The term “video arcade facility” means any facility, legally accessible to persons under 18 years of age, intended primarily for the use of pinball and video machines for amusement containing a minimum of ten pinball and/or video machines.(4) The term “swimming pool” includes any parking lot appurtenant thereto.(Pub. L. 91–513, title II, § 419, formerly § 405A, as added Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 503(a), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2069; amended Pub. L. 99–570, title I, §§ 1004(a), 1104, 1105(c), 1841(b), 1866(b), (c), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–6, 3207–11, 3207–52, 3207–55; Pub. L. 99–646, § 28, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3598; Pub. L. 100–690, title VI, §§ 6452(b)(1), 6457, 6458, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4371, 4373; renumbered § 419 and amended Pub. L. 101–647, title X, §§ 1002(b), 1003(b), title XII, § 1214, title XV, § 1502, title XXXV, § 3599L, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4827, 4829, 4833, 4836, 4932; Pub. L. 103–322, title XIV, § 140006, title XXXII, § 320107, title XXXIII, § 330009(a), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2032, 2111, 2143.)Editorial NotesCodification

Section was classified to section 845a of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 101–647.

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322, § 320107, substituted “playground, or housing facility owned by a public housing authority, or within” for “playground, or within”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–322, §§ 320107, 330009(a), substituted “playground, or housing facility owned by a public housing authority, or within” for “playground, or within” and inserted a period at end of penultimate sentence.

Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 103–322, § 140006, added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsecs. (c) and (d) as (d) and (e), respectively.

1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–647, § 1502(1), inserted “or a playground,” after “university,” and struck out “playground,” after “within 100 feet of a”.

Pub. L. 101–647, § 1214(1)(C), substituted “a person shall be sentenced under this subsection to a term of imprisonment of not less than one year” for “a term of imprisonment under this subsection shall be not less than one year”.

Pub. L. 101–647, § 1214(1)(B), inserted “A fine up to twice that authorized by section 841(b) of this title may be imposed in addition to any term of imprisonment authorized by this subsection.”

Pub. L. 101–647, § 1214(1)(A), which directed the amendment of par. (1) by striking out “, or a fine, or both,” could not be executed because those words did not appear. See note below.

Pub. L. 101–647, § 1003(b)(1), which directed the substitution of “subject to (1) twice the maximum punishment authorized by section 841(b) of this title” for “punishable (1) by a term of imprisonment, or a fine, or both, up to twice that authorized by section 841(b) of this title”, was executed by making the substitution for “punishable (1) by a term of imprisonment, or fine, or both, up to twice that authorized by section 841(b) of this title” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–647, § 3599L, substituted “has become final” for “have become final”.

Pub. L. 101–647, § 1502(2), inserted “or a playground,” after “university,” and struck out “playground,” after “within 100 feet of a”.

Pub. L. 101–647, § 1214(2)(B), inserted after first sentence “A fine up to three times that authorized by section 841(b) of this title may be imposed in addition to any term of imprisonment authorized by this subsection. Except to the extent a greater minimum sentence is otherwise provided by section 841(b) of this title, a person shall be sentenced under this subsection to a term of imprisonment of not less than three years”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 101–647, § 1214(2)(A), which directed the amendment of subpar. (B) by striking “, or a fine up to three times that” through “or both”, could not be executed because the language did not appear after execution of the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 101–647, § 1003(b)(2). See below.

Pub. L. 101–647, § 1003(b)(2), substituted “three times the maximum punishment authorized by section 841(b) of this title for a first offense” for “a term of imprisonment of up to three times that authorized by section 841(b) of this title for a first offense, or a fine up to three times that authorized by section 841(b) of this title for a first offense, or both”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–647, § 1214(3), inserted “mandatory minimum” after “In the case of any”, struck out “subsection (b)” after “imposed under”, struck out “of” before “this section” in a reference to “of this section” which was editorially added before “, imposition or”, and substituted “An individual convicted under this section shall not be eligible for parole until the individual has served the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment as provided by this section” for “An individual convicted under subsection (b) of this section shall not be eligible for parole under chapter 311 of title 18 until the individual has served the minimum sentence required by such subsection”.

1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–690, §§ 6457, 6458(a), inserted “, possessing with intent to distribute,” after “distributing” and “, or within 100 feet of a playground, public or private youth center, public swimming pool, or video arcade facility,” after “university”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–690, §§ 6452(b)(1), 6457, 6458(a), inserted “, possessing with intent to distribute,” after “distributing”, and “, or within 100 feet of a playground, public or private youth center, public swimming pool, or video arcade facility,” after “university”, substituted “a prior conviction” for “a prior conviction or convictions”, and inserted at end “Penalties for third and subsequent convictions shall be governed by section 841(b)(1)(A) of this title.”

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–690, § 6458(b), added subsec. (d).

1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–570, §§ 1104(a), (b), 1105(c), 1841(b)(1), inserted “or section 856 of this title” and “or manufacturing”, substituted “a public or private elementary, vocational, or secondary school or a public or private college, junior college, or university” for “a public or private elementary or secondary school”, struck out “involving the same controlled substance and schedule” after “for a first offense”, and inserted “Except to the extent a greater minimum sentence is otherwise provided by section 841(b) of this title, a term of imprisonment under this subsection shall be not less than one year. The mandatory minimum sentencing provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to offenses involving 5 grams or less of marihuana.”

Pub. L. 99–570, § 1004(a), substituted “term of supervised release” for “special parole term”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–646 which directed that “parole” be inserted after “(2) at least three times any special” could not be executed in view of prior amendment by Pub. L. 99–570, § 1104(c) below.

Pub. L. 99–570, § 1866(b), which directed that “term of supervised release” be substituted for “special term” could not be executed in view of prior amendment by Pub. L. 99–570, § 1104(c) below.

Pub. L. 99–570, §§ 1104(a), 1841(b)(2), inserted reference to section 856 of this title, inserted “or manufacturing” after “distributing” and substituted “a public or private elementary, vocational, or secondary school or a public or private college, junior college, or university” for “a public or private elementary or secondary school”.

Pub. L. 99–570, § 1104(c), amended cls. (1) and (2) generally. Prior to amendment, cls. (1) and (2) read as follows: “(1) by a term of imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than life imprisonment and (2) at least three times any special term authorized by section 841(b) of this title for a second or subsequent offense involving the same controlled substance and schedule.”

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–570, § 1866(c), substituted reference to chapter 311 of title 18 for reference to section 4202 of that title.

Statutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesEffective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by section 1004(a) of Pub. L. 99–570 effective on date of taking effect of section 3583 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure (Nov. 1, 1987), see section 1004(b) of Pub. L. 99–570 set out as a note under section 841 of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 699 cases (42 in the last 5 years), 1991–2026 · leading case: United States v. Edmonds, Brad, 240 F.3d 55 (D.C. Cir. 2001).
United States v. Edmonds, Brad, 240 F.3d 55 (D.C. Cir. 2001). · cites it 11× “Ed-monds was convicted of possessing cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a school in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 860 (a). Edmonds appeals that conviction, arguing that the evidence introduced against him was obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment’s guarantee against…”
United States v. Gilberto Martinez (03-3833), Jerel Henderson (03-3835), Kevin S. Harris (03-3879), Brian Garrett (03-3917), 430 F.3d 317 (6th Cir. 2005). · cites it 7× “The government offered this evidence because, although no substantive offense was charged under 21 U.S.C. § 860 , the government intended to seek, an enhancement under the guidelines and anticipated that the question would have to be submitted to the jury in accordance with…”
United States v. Orville Milk, 281 F.3d 762 (8th Cir. 2002). · cites it 13× “§§ 846 and 841(a)(1), and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a public housing authority, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 860 and 841(a)(1). Milk appeals only the conviction for possession with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a public…”
United States v. Samuel O. White, Luis Noel Cruz, AKA Danny Cruz, 240 F.3d 127 (2d Cir. 2001). · cites it 7× “§ 841 (a) must be dismissed as lesser included offenses of his convictions for drug distribution within 1000 feet of a school under 21 U.S.C. § 860 ; (2) the district court misunderstood its authority to depart from a sentence of 240 years’ imprisonment; (3) the district court’s…”
United States v. Shelly Mashek, 406 F.3d 1012 (8th Cir. 2005). · cites it 5× “Koons was convicted under 21 U.S.C. § 860 (a), a statute with a five-year mandatory minimum sentence.”
United States v. Michael A. Harris, 313 F.3d 1228 (10th Cir. 2002). · cites it 7× “Harris, of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a school in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 860 (a). Having previously been convicted of two felony violations relating to possession of a controlled substance, Defendant received the mandatory minimum…”
United States v. Gamboa-Cardenas, 508 F.3d 491 (9th Cir. 2007). · cites it 10× “The issue presented in Kakatin was whether the safety valve applied to convictions under 21 U.S.C. § 860 , a statute which is not specifically listed in 18 U.”
United States v. Ayala-Vazquez, 751 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2014). · cites it 6× “7 Delineating the contours of his challenge, Ayala admits the evidence allowed a jury to find that he possessed illegal drugs with intent to distribute them in Puerto Rico.”
United States v. Afnan Jerome Parker, 30 F.3d 542 (4th Cir. 1994). · cites it 10× “§§ 3161-3174 ; and (2) the sufficiency of the evidence that the drug possession was within 1000 feet of a “playground,” as defined in 21 U.S.C. § 860 . We affirm on the first ground, but reverse and remand on the second.”
United States v. West, 671 F.3d 1195 (10th Cir. 2012). · cites it 10× “According to Defendant, "[e]ither a jungle gym or a swingset would certainly qualify as an `apparatus' under 21 U.S.C. § 860 (e)(1). However, the play area at Holcom Park does not meet the statutory definition of a playground, because there were not three or more separate…”
United States v. Timothy Donald Koons, 300 F.3d 985 (8th Cir. 2002). · cites it 6× “On his appeal Koons challenges the constitutionality of 21 U.S.C. § 860 (a) and argues that the district court 1 erred by denying his motion *988 to suppress and by not granting him a safety valve reduction or downward departure at sentencing.”
United States v. Anthony Jackson, 443 F.3d 293 (3rd Cir. 2006). · cites it 7× “*295 § 841(a)(1) (possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute) is a lesser-included offense of 21 U.S.C. § 860 (a) (possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school).”
— 21 U.S.C. § 860(a) — 4 cases
United States v. Perry, 389 F. Supp. 2d 278 (D.R.I. 2005).
United States v. Keith Waters, 313 F.3d 151 (3rd Cir. 2002).
United States v. Jackson (D.D.C. 2009).
United States v. Spinner (D.D.C. 2014).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.