United States V. B.G.

Federal Court, District of Minnesota (9/2012)
Charges: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime
Outcome: B.G. was indicted after he sold several kilograms of cocaine while being surveilled by federal agents. The evidence was overwhelming so B.G. elected to plead guilty and try for the “safety valve.” The Government opposed safety valve and argued that B.G. did not qualify because he possessed 9 firearms “in connection with” the offense. Ryan Pacyga fought for the safety valve and argued the that firearms were not “in connection with” the offense. The judge agreed and B.G. qualified for the safety valve, avoiding the 130-month guideline sentence, avoiding the 10-year mandatory minimum, and receiving a sentence significantly below the minimum. See here: