United States v. Lambert, No. 15-1131 (7th Cir. 2016)
Annotate this CaseFor several months Melendez traveled with Craig to Chicago every two to three days to jointly purchase heroin from a supplier that Melendez introduced to Craig. The two pooled their money to obtain a discounted bulk rate, then would return to Rockford to weigh and divide the heroin for separate distribution. Lambert took care of Craig’s children and rented an apartment and vehicles that Craig used to store and transport heroin and trafficking proceeds. Lambert delivered heroin mixtures and money between Craig and his co-conspirators. Lambert also transmitted messages regarding drug sales activity between Craig and an individual who was an FBI informant. Melendez, Lambert, and Craig were charged with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, 21 U.S.C. 846. Craig was charged with distributing heroin, 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1). Melendez and Lambert each pled guilty to one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute heroin. The Seventh Circuit affirmed Melendez’s within-guidelines range sentence of 135 months’ imprisonment, upholding the district court’s finding that he was liable for between three and 10 kilograms of jointly purchased heroin. The court also affirmed Lambert’s within-guidelines range sentence of 80 months’ imprisonment as substantively reasonable.
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