Judge Kea Whetzal Riggs — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Kea Whetzal Riggs sits in the District of New Mexico (DNM) and granted a downward variance in 91 of 204 federal sentencings (44.6%) from FY2019–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Kea Whetzal Riggs, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Kea Whetzal Riggs grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (91 below-guideline cases out of 204 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Pursuant to a NONbinding (or unknown type) plea agreement43-46.8%
  2. 2.(5K3.1) Early Disposition. Fast Track program19-25.2%
  3. 3.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities8-64.3%
  4. 4.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)8-43.2%
  5. 5.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)6-53.6%
  6. 6.(5H1.5) Previous employment record6-52.9%
  7. 7.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse6-36.4%
  8. 8.Acceptance of responsibility6-34.1%
  9. 9.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)6-31.1%
  10. 10.Conduct on Release/Bond/Supervision5-60.1%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Kea Whetzal Riggs

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Kea Whetzal Riggs's 173 Zone D sentencings, 80 (46.2%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended173 cases
  • Within range
    80(46.2%)
  • Below range
    80(46.2%)
    avg −37.2% below min
  • Above range
    13(7.5%)
    avg +83.1% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Kea Whetzal Riggs?

Want to see what those 91 below-guideline cases actually looked like? Just Metrics shows you the actual matched cases — same judge, same guideline chapter, same guideline range — and tells you what they did.

Just Metrics also surfaces Judge Kea Whetzal Riggs's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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