United States v. Ashleigh Greybull

MEMORANDUM

Ashleigh Marie Greybull appeals from the district court’s judgment and challenges the 18-month sentence imposed following her guilty-plea conviction for theft from an Indian tribal organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 , 1163. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we vacate and remand.

Greybull contends that the district court erred by imposing a two-level increase for obstruction of justice under U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1. We review the district court’s characterization of a defendant’s conduct as obstruction de novo. See United States v. Manning, 704 F.3d 584, 585 (9th Cir. 2012) (per curiam). The district court imposed the enhancement on the ground that Greybull provided “a materially false statement to a law enforcement officer that significantly obstructed or impeded the official investigation or prosecution of [her] offense.” U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1 cmt. n.4(G). We conclude that the record is insufficient to support the enhancement on this basis. First, a false denial of guilt not made under oath cannot provide a basis for the enhancement. See U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1 cmt. n.2; United States v. Beardslee, 197 F.3d 378, 389-90 (9th Cir.1999). The record does not…