2009 FEDERAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES MANUAL

CHAPTER 2 - PART X - OTHER OFFENSES

7.      OFFENSES INVOLVING BORDER TUNNELS AND SUBMERSIBLE AND SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSELS

§2X7.2.      Submersible and Semi-Submersible Vessels

                   (a)       Base Offense Level: 26

                   (b)       Specific Offense Characteristic

                               (1)       (Apply the greatest) If the offense involved—

                                           (A)       a failure to heave to when directed by law enforcement officers, increase by 2 levels;

                                           (B)        an attempt to sink the vessel, increase by 4 levels; or

                                           (C)        the sinking of the vessel, increase by 8 levels.

Commentary

Statutory Provision: 18 U.S.C. § 2285.

Application Note:

1.      Upward Departure Provisions.—An upward departure may be warranted in any of the following cases:

         (A)     The defendant engaged in a pattern of activity involving use of a submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel described in 18 U.S.C. § 2285 to facilitate other felonies.

         (B)     The offense involved use of the vessel as part of an ongoing criminal organization or enterprise.

Background: This guideline implements the directive to the Commission in section 103 of Public Law 110–407.

Historical Note: Effective November 1, 2009 (see Appendix C, amendment 728).