United States v. Cook, No. 15-2529 (7th Cir. 2017)
Annotate this CaseRobbing Community Financial Service Center in Milwaukee, Ferrell tackled the security guard, pointing his firearm at the guard’s face. Cook entered, wearing a mask, and approached the teller, who was in on the robbery and opened the safe. Cook took $337,100. Cook and Ferrell fled. Cook was charged with conspiracy to obstruct commerce by robbery; obstruction of commerce by robbery, 18 U.S.C. 1951(a) (Hobbs Act); and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, 18 U.S.C. 924(c)(1)(A)(ii). Cook pled guilty to counts two and three. The government dismissed count one. The government was to recommend a three‐level increase for a loss of over $250,000; a three‐level decrease for acceptance of responsibility; a two-level increase for causing a loss to a financial institution; and a two‐level increase for physically restraining a person. The agreement allowed Cook to oppose the enhancements. The PSR mirrored the plea agreement. Cook argued that the CFSC was not a financial institution and that imposing the physical‐restraint enhancement was impermissible double counting. The court rejected his arguments, applied the calculation included in the PSR, determined that the guidelines range for count two was 77-96 months and that count three carried a mandatory minimum of 84 months’ imprisonment, and imposed consecutive sentences of 60 months on count two and 84 months on count three. The Seventh Circuit affirmed, upholding the application of the enhancements.
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