Oxycodone Trafficking

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Of the 61,678 cases reported to the Commission in fiscal year 2024, 18,150 involved drugs.1 Of those, 18,029 cases involved drug trafficking;2 1.1% of such cases involved oxycodone (down 30.3% since fiscal year 2020).3

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Individual and Offense Characteristics

 

 

  • 73.1% of individuals sentenced for oxycodone trafficking were men.
     
  • 48.3% were Black, 34.3% were White, 14.4% were Hispanic, and 3.0% were Other races.
     
  • Their average age was 44 years. 
     
  • 94.0% were United States citizens.
     
  • 60.7% had little or no prior criminal history (Criminal History Category I); 4.5% were individuals sentenced under the career offender guideline (§4B1.1). 
     
  • The median base offense level in these cases was 30, corresponding to between 4,975 and 14,925 30-milligram instant release pills of oxycodone.
     
  • Sentences were increased for:
    • possessing a weapon (16.1%);
    • a leadership or supervisory role in the offense (12.4%).
       
  • Sentences were decreased for:
    • minor or minimal participation in the offense (10.0%);
    • meeting the safety valve criteria in the sentencing guidelines (38.8%).
       
  • The top six districts for oxycodone trafficking offenses were:
    • Eastern District of Michigan (24);
    • District of North Dakota (22);
    • Eastern District of Kentucky (14);
    • Southern District of Texas (11);
    • District of Maryland (10);
    • Northern District of Georgia (10). 

 

 

Punishment

 

  • The average sentence for individuals trafficking oxycodone was 50 months. 
     
  • 88.1% were sentenced to prison.
     
  • Oxycodone trafficking does not carry a mandatory minimum penalty. 

 

Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range

  • 59.0% of sentences for oxycodone trafficking were under the Guidelines Manual.
    • 16.5% were within the guideline range.
       
    • 38.5% were substantial assistance departures.
      • The average sentence reduction was 65.1%.
         
    • 0.0% were Early Disposition Program (EDP) departures.4
       
    • 3.5% were some other downward departure.
      • The average sentence reduction was 54.4%.
    • 0.5% were upward departures.5
       
  • 41.0% of sentences for oxycodone trafficking were variances.
    • 40.5% were downward variances.
      • The average sentence reduction was 48.9%.
         
    • 0.5% were upward variances.5

 

 

 

 

  • The average guideline minimum has increased while the average sentence imposed has fluctuated over the past five years.
    • The average guideline minimum increased from 69 months in fiscal year 2020 to 92 months in fiscal year 2024.
       
    • The average sentence imposed was 39 months in fiscal year 2020 and 50 months in fiscal year 2024.

 

 

 

1 Drug offenses include cases where individuals were sentenced under USSG Chapter Two, Part D (Drugs). There were 227 individuals sentenced for oxycodone offenses under USSG Chapter Two, Part D (Drugs) in FY 2024.

2 Individuals sentenced for drug trafficking were sentenced under USSG §§2D1.1 (Drug Trafficking), 2D1.2 (Protected Locations), 2D1.5 (Continuing Criminal Enterprise), 2D1.6 (Use of a Communication Facility), 2D1.8 (Rent/Manage Drug Establishment), 2D1.10 (Endangering Human Life), or 2D1.14 (Narco-Terrorism).

3 Cases with incomplete sentencing information were excluded from the analysis.

4 “Early Disposition Program" (or EDP) departures are departures where the government sought a sentence below the guideline range because the defendant participated in the government’s Early Disposition Program, through which cases are resolved in an expedited manner. See USSG §5K3.1.

5 The Commission does not report the average for categories with fewer than three cases.

SOURCE: United States Sentencing Commission, FY 2020 through FY 2024 Datafiles, USSCFY20-USSCFY24.

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