United States v. Wilson — criminal sentencing — affirmance — Jordan

“If it were somehow in doubt before, we take the opportunity now to hold that bank robbery by intimidation is categorically a ‘crime of violence’ under the United States Sentencing Guidelines.” This, the opening sentence of today’s opinion, might be the most Judge-Jordan-ish opening sentence I’ve ever read, and I mean that as praise.

The opinion also held that the federal bank-robbery statute requires knowing conduct and that applying a sentencing enhancement was not plain error because it did not the affect the  sentence.

Joining Jordan were Hardiman and Scirica. Arguing counsel were Christy Martin of the EDPA federal defender for the defendant and Robert Zauzmer for the government.