United States v. Damon Sykes

MEMORANDUM

Damon Sykes appeals from the 252-month sentence imposed following his guilty-plea conviction for three counts of armed bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113 (a) and (d), and one count of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371 . We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

Sykes contends that the district court failed to adequately explain why a 252-month sentence was the minimum necessary to achieve the sentencing objectives set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553 (a), and failed to offer reasons to justify the degree of the variance. We review for plain error, see United States v. Valencia-Barragan, 608 F.3d 1103, 1108 (9th Cir.2010), and we find none. The district court sufficiently explained the sentence imposed. See United States v. Carty, 520 F.3d 984, 991-92 (9th Cir.2008) (en banc).

Sykes also contends that his above-Guidelines sentence is substantively unreasonable because it is greater than necessary to achieve the section 3553(a) sentencing objectives. He argues that the district court overstated the seriousness of his criminal history and the nature of the armed bank robberies, failed to give sufficient…