United States v. Thomas, 239 F.3d 163 (2001) supported challenge to constitutionally of the federal sentencing guidelines in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey. (This argument claimed that the Guidelines should not be applied mandatorily and presaged United States v. Booker, _______ U.S. _____(2005) by four years.) Brief by Conrad Ost Seifert and Roy Ward.