Peonage, Involuntary Servitude, and Slave Trade - Offenses Involving Individual Rights

Definitions of "firearm," "dangerous weapon," "otherwise used," "serious bodily injury," and "permanent or life-threatening bodily injury" are found in the Commentary to §1B1.1 (Application Instructions).

2. Under subsection (b)(4), "any other felony offense" means any conduct that constitutes a felony offense under federal, state, or local law (other than an offense that is itself covered by this subpart). When there is more than one such other offense, the most serious such offense (or group of closely related offenses in the case of offenses that would be grouped together under §3D1.2(d)) is to be used. See Application Note 3 of §1B1.5 (Interpretation of References to other Offense Guidelines).

3. If the offense involved the holding of more than ten victims in a condition of peonage or involuntary servitude, an upward departure may be warranted.

Historical Note:: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C, amendment 521); May 1, 1997 (see Appendix C, amendment 542); November 1, 1997 (see Appendix C, amendment 559); May 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 612); November 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 627).

§2H4.2. Willful Violations of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act

(a) Base Offense Level: 6

(b) Specific Offense Characteristics

(1) If the offense involved (i) serious bodily injury, increase by 4 levels; or (ii) bodily injury, increase by 2 levels.

(2) If the defendant committed any part of the instant offense subsequent to sustaining a civil or administrative adjudication for similar misconduct, increase by 2 levels.

Commentary

Statutory Provision: 29 U.S.C. § 1851.

Application Notes:

1. Definitions.—For purposes of subsection (b)(1), "bodily injury" and "serious bodily injury" have the meaning given those terms in Application Note 1 of the Commentary to §1B1.1 (Application Instructions).

2. Application of Subsection (b)(2).—Section 1851 of title 29, United States Code, covers a wide range of conduct. Accordingly, the enhancement in subsection (b)(2) applies only if the instant offense is similar to previous misconduct that resulted in a civil or administrative adjudication under the provisions of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. § 1801 et. seq.).

Historical Note:: Effective May 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 612). Amended effective November 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 627).

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Last reviewed October 2023