Seventh Circuit affirms 30-year sentence for duck hunting

The title of this post is a misleading description of the Seventh Circuit’s sentencing work today US v. Vitrano, No. 06-1512 (7th Cir. July 19, 2007) (available here), but the reality is not that far off. 

As the court explained, “Thomas Vitrano pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon and one count of possessing a firearm while subject to a domestic abuse injunction [based on possession of] a Remington 870 shotgun that Vitrano had taken with him to go duck hunting.”   But, after Vitriano was ultimately classified as a career offender, the government presented evidence at sentencing that “he sent multiple functioning pipe bombs disguised as a birthday present to his former girlfriend’s house.” 

Based on that evidence, plus other evidence of uncharged violent behavior, the district judge imposed an above-guideline sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment.  Over various challenges, the Seventh Circuit today affirms that sentence.