U.S. v. Williams

Dist. Ct. erred in denying defendant’s motion for reduced sentence under First Step Act on his sentence for crack cocaine offenses, where: (1) Ct. of Appeals vacated denial of defendant’s prior request for reduced sentence that had been handed down by prior Dist. Ct. Judge because no calculation of amended statutory sentences ranges had been done; (2) defendant had brought forth more arguments after original denial had been vacated; and (3) newly-assigned Dist. Ct. Judge denied defendant’s request (one day after defendant had filed renewed motion for reduced sentence) in order that was materially same as original order denying defendant’s request for sentence reduction. Ct. of Appeals found that under Chavez-Meza, 138 S.Ct. 1959, newly-assigned Dist. Ct. Judge was required to provide more complete explanation for second denial, for failing to address defendant’s new arguments, and for finding that defendant still posed threat to public.