United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Kenneth Keith Falvey, Defendant-appellant, 83 F.3d 429 (9th Cir. 1996)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Kenneth Keith Falvey appeals his six-month sentence imposed following the entry of a guilty plea to possession of a counterfeit postal key, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1704. Falvey contends that the district court erred by failing to grant a two-level reduction for acceptance of responsibility pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and affirm.

Whether a defendant has accepted responsibility for his crime is a factual determination reviewed for clear error. United States v. Acuna, 9 F.3d 1442, 1446 (9th Cir. 1993). Significant evidence of acceptance of responsibility "may be outweighed by conduct of the defendant that is inconsistent with such acceptance of responsibility." U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1, comment. (n. 3). In determining whether a defendant qualifies for an acceptance of responsibility adjustment, the court may consider post-offense rehabilitative efforts such as counseling or drug treatment. See U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1, comment. (n. 1(g)). The sentencing judge's evaluation is entitled to great deference on review. Acuna, 9 F.3d at 1446.

Here, the district court found that Falvey flaunted a direct order of the Pretrial Services Officer by leaving the drug rehabilitation facility where Falvey resided. The court concluded that Falvey's behavior was "contraindicative of rehabilitation" and denied the acceptance of responsibility reduction. The district court's decision was not clearly erroneous. See U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1, comment (n. 1(g)); Acuna, 9 F.3d at 1446; see also United States v. Thompson, No. 95-30210, slip op. 4049, 4054 (9th Cir. Apr. 3, 1996) (defendant not entitled to § 3E1.1 reduction where she absconded before sentencing despite strong evidence of acceptance of responsibility).

AFFIRMED.