U.S.S.G. §2E2.1

(a) Base Offense Level: 20

(b) Specific Offense Characteristics

(1) (A) If a firearm was discharged increase by 5 levels; or

(B) if a dangerous weapon (including a firearm) was used to convey

a specific (not general) threat of harm (e.g., pointing the weapon

at a specific victim or victims; directing the movement of a specific victim or victims with the weapon) or to make physical contact with a victim (e.g., pistol whip; weapon placed against victim’s body), increase by 4 levels; or

(C) if a dangerous weapon (including a firearm) was brandished or

possessed, increase by 3 levels.

(2) If any victim sustained bodily injury, increase the offense level according to the seriousness of the injury:

DEGREE OF BODILY INJURY INCREASE IN LEVEL

(A) Bodily Injury add 2

(B) Serious Bodily Injury add 4

(C) Permanent or Life-Threatening Bodily Injury add 6

(D) If the degree of injury is between that

specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B), add 3 levels; or

(E) If the degree of injury is between that

specified in subparagraphs (B) and (C), add 5 levels.

Provided, however, that the combined increase from application of

paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not exceed 9 levels.

(3) (A) If any person was abducted to facilitate commission of the offense

or to facilitate escape, increase by 4 levels; or

(B) if any person’s freedom of movement was restricted through

physical contact or confinement, such as by being tied, bound, or

locked up, to facilitate commission of the offense or to facilitate

escape, increase by 2 levels.

(c) Cross Reference

(1) If a victim was killed under circumstances that would constitute murder under 18 U.S.C. § 1111 had such killing taken place within the

territorial or maritime jurisdiction of the United States, apply §2A1.1

(First Degree Murder).

Commentary

Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. §§ 892–894.

Application Notes:

1. Definitions.—Definitions of “firearm,” “dangerous weapon,” “brandished,” “bodily injury,”

“serious bodily injury,” “permanent or life-threatening bodily injury,” and “abducted” are

found in the Commentary to §1B1.1 (Application Instructions).

2. Interpretation of Specific Offense Characteristics.—See also Commentary to §2B3.2 (Extortion by Force or Threat of Injury or Serious Damage) regarding the interpretation of the specific offense characteristics.

Background: This section refers to offenses involving the making or financing of extortionate extensions of credit, or the collection of loans by extortionate means. These “loan-sharking” offenses typically

involve threats of violence and provide economic support for organized crime. The base offense level

for these offenses is higher than the offense level for extortion because loan sharking is in most cases

a continuing activity. In addition, the guideline does not include the amount of money involved because

the amount of money in such cases is often difficult to determine. Other enhancements parallel those

in §2B3.2 (Extortion by Force or Threat of Injury or Serious Damage).