United States v. Clay, No. 21-3002 (7th Cir. 2022)

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the order of the district court denying Defendants' requests for reduced sentences following their convictions stemming from their participation in a drug conspiracy involving the distribution of crack cocaine and heroin, holding that the district court properly denied Defendants' requests for reduced sentences.

In 2009 and 2010, Defendants pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances. In 2020, Defendants each filed motions under 404(b) of the First Step Act seeking reductions in their sentences based on changes congress made to penalties resulting from certain drug crimes. The district court judge denied the motions. The Seventh Circuit affirmed, holding that the district court did not abuse its discretion in ruling that Defendants were not entitled to relief under the First Step Act.