United States v. Tankson, No. 14-3787 (7th Cir. 2016)
Annotate this CaseFollowing an extensive sting operation by federal law enforcement of a Chicago drug distribution ring, Tankson was indicted on three counts of distributing 100 grams of heroin and one count of distributing a detectable amount of heroin, 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1). After waiving his Miranda rights, Tankson acknowledged membership in the Black Disciples gang, admitted to participating in the four transactions ultimately charged in the indictment and indicated that three of them involved 100 grams of heroin and that the fourth involved 150 grams. He gave extensive information about his other involvement in drug trafficking. He entered a written plea declaration without an agreement. At sentencing, the government introduced Tankson’s post-arrest statement to authorities in order to establish significant additional drug quantities as relevant conduct. The district court credited the statement and, on that basis, increased his offense level under the quantity table and determined that he was subject to the career offender guideline. The court calculated a guidelines range of 360 months to life, then sentenced him to 228 months’ imprisonment. The Seventh Circuit affirmed, holding that the district court was entitled to credit his statement and to consider his 1995 drug-related conviction, for which he was paroled in 1997.
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