AMENDMENT 690

Amendment: Section 2J1.2 and Appendix A (Statutory Index), effective October 24, 2005 (see USSC Guidelines Manual, Supplement to Appendix C, Amendment 676), are repromulgated without change.

Reason for Amendment: This amendment repromulgates as a permanent amendment the temporary, emergency amendment to §2J1.2 and Appendix A (Statutory Index), which became effective on October 24, 2005 (see Supplement to Appendix C, Amendment 676). The amendment implements section 6703 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (the "Act"), Pub. L. 108–458, which provides an enhanced penalty of not more than 8 years of imprisonment for offenses under sections 1001(a) and 1505 of title 18, United States Code, "if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331)." Section 6703(b) requires the Sentencing Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to provide for "an increased offense level for an offense under sections 1001(a) and 1505 of title 18, United States Code, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism, as defined in section 2331 of such title." Section 3 of the United States Parole Commission Extension and Sentencing Commission Authority Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109–76, directed the Commission, under emergency authority, to promulgate an amendment implementing section 6703(b).

First, the amendment references convictions under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 to §2J1.2 (Obstruction of Justice) "when the statutory maximum term of imprisonment relating to international or domestic terrorism is applicable." It also adds a new specific offense characteristic at §2J1.2(b)(1)(B) providing for a 12 level increase for a defendant convicted under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1001 and 1505 "when the statutory maximum term of imprisonment relating to international or domestic terrorism is applicable." This 12 level increase is applied in lieu of the current 8 level increase for injury or threats to persons or property. The increase of 12 levels is intended to provide parity with the treatment of federal crimes of terrorism within the limits of the 8 year statutory maximum penalty. It is also provided to ensure a 5 year sentence of imprisonment for offenses that involve international or domestic terrorism.

Second, the amendment adds to Application Note 1 definitions for "domestic terrorism" and "international terrorism," using the meanings given the terms at 18 U.S.C. § 2331(5) and (1), respectively.

Third, the amendment adds to Application Note 2 an instruction that if §3A1.4 (Terrorism) applies, do not apply §2J1.2(b)(1)(B).

Effective Date: The effective date of this amendment is November 1, 2006.