United States v. Michael Hollis

MEMORANDUM

Michael Eugene Hollis appeals from the 210-month sentence imposed following his guilty-plea conviction for receipt or distribution of material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252 (a)(2). We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we vacate Hollis’ sentence and remand for re-sentencing.

Hollis contends that the district court clearly erred when it applied a five-level enhancement, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2G2.2(b)(S)(B), for distributing pornographic images “for the receipt, or expectation of receipt, of a thing of value,” because there was no evidence in the record to support its finding that he shared files in order to obtain any benefit. We agree that the record fails to establish that Hollis distributed pornographic material in order to obtain faster access to other pornographic images or any other benefit. See U.S.S.G. § 2G2.2(b)(S)(B) & cmt. n. 1; see also United States v. Carty, 520 F.3d 984, 993 (9th Cir.2008) (en banc) (explaining that it would be procedural error for a district court to choose a sentence based on clearly erroneous facts). Accordingly, we vacate Hollis’ sentence and remand for further…