USA v. MALDONADO et al

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
UNITED STATES
v. Criminal Action No. 23-302-4 (JDB)
ERIK RIVERA GARCIA
MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER
The Court sentenced Rivera Garcia on July 10, 2024, to 62 months in prison followed by
48 months of supervised release for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine in
violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(B)(ii). See Judgment, Dkt. 140. He now
moves pro se under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) for a reduction in his sentence. See Mot., Dkt. 178.
In support, he relies on U.S.S.G. § 4C1.1, which provides for a two-level reduction in offense level
for offenders with zero criminal history points and no enumerated aggravating factors.
Rivera Garcia’s motion is without merit. 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) provides for possible
sentence reductions where a guideline range was lowered after sentencing. But the zero-point
offender adjustment has been in place since November 2023. See U.S.S.G. § 4C1.1 historical note.
Thus, the Court considered it at sentencing and determined that Rivera Garcia was not eligible for
a 4C1.1 adjustment. In doing so, the Court relied on the parties’ agreement that Rivera Garcia
possessed a firearm in connection with the offense, thereby rendering him ineligible for the
adjustment. See Plea Agreement 4, Dkt. 105 (citing U.S.S.G. § 4C1.1(a)(7)); Statement of Offense
5, Dkt. 106 (stating that a loaded Smith & Wesson revolver was recovered between Rivera Garcia’s
seat and the car’s center console).
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The Court therefore finds that Rivera Garcia is ineligible for a sentence reduction under 18
U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2). Accordingly, the Court DENIES [178] defendant’s motion.
/s/
JOHN D. BATES
United States District Judge
Date: December 17, 2025
Case 1:23-cr-00302-JDB Document 180 Filed 12/17/25 Page 2 of 2