GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has affirmed the 300-month prison sentence of Corwin Monte Jett Jr., who was convicted in the Western District of Michigan for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court records (Case No. 24-1667), Jett pleaded guilty to federal drug-trafficking charges stemming from a 2020 investigation in Kalamazoo. Law enforcement officials discovered nearly seven pounds of methamphetamine mailed from Las Vegas to Michigan, as well as firearms and cash during searches of multiple properties. Jett admitted to drug trafficking and firearm possession.
After his release on probation and subsequent move to Atlanta, Jett was indicted in February 2023 and arrested that August upon returning to Michigan. While in custody, he attempted to smuggle synthetic cannabinoids (K2) into jail and was later found with drugs in his cell. The district court ruled that this behavior and his repeated denial of responsibility disqualified him from receiving a sentencing reduction for acceptance of responsibility.
Jett sought a downward variance, citing steady employment and a crime-free period while living in Atlanta. The district court partially granted a downward variance based on lack of “youthful guidance,” reducing his sentence to 300 months—60 months below the guideline range—but rejected his other requests.
On appeal, the Sixth Circuit held that the district court did not err in denying Jett the acceptance-of-responsibility reduction, noting that continued criminal activity while incarcerated was inconsistent with genuine remorse. The appellate panel, composed of Judges White, Larsen, and Murphy, also ruled that Jett waived further challenges to the sentencing process when he confirmed at the hearing that the district court had addressed all non-frivolous arguments.
Judge White filed a concurring opinion agreeing that the case was controlled by precedent regarding invited error.
