SentenceCalc

Sabotage of National Defense Material Sentence Calculator

This page covers cases where a person sabotaged national defense supplies, sites or utilities. Federal sentences for sabotage of national defense material are calculated under §2M2.3 of the Sentencing Guidelines, which starts at offense level 26 and adds levels for the facts of the case. At the starting level alone, someone with no criminal history points who pleads guilty scores 37–46 months under the guidelines.

Verified Checked against the manual text in at least five AI-assisted review rounds. Not yet reviewed by an attorney. Guidelines Manual effective November 1, 2025Updated October 4, 2026

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Starting level and typical ranges

These ranges use the starting level alone, before any adjustments, for someone with no criminal record unless the column says otherwise. Most real cases add levels.

Starting pointLevelTrialGuilty pleaPlea + zero-pointCategory IV, plea
Sabotage of national defense material, the starting point2663–78 months46–57 months37–46 months70–87 months

Important details

  • Nuclear facility cases (42 U.S.C. §2284) go under §2M2.1 instead when the person was convicted of acting with intent to injure the United States or aid a foreign nation (§2M2.1, note 1; §2M2.3, note 1).
  • For a pipeline offense under 49 U.S.C. §60123(b) that involved, or was meant to promote, a federal crime of terrorism, the 3-level reduction for an attempt or conspiracy does not apply (§2X1.1(d)(1)(A)).
  • The calculator does not apply mandatory minimum sentences set by statute for this offense. If the statute of conviction requires one and it is higher than the range shown, the minimum controls; check the statute or ask a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the base offense level for sabotage of national defense material?

The guideline for sabotage of national defense material is §2M2.3 of the federal Sentencing Guidelines. Its starting level is 26, before any adjustments.

What is the guideline range for sabotage of national defense material with no criminal history points and a guilty plea?

Using the starting level alone, a person with no criminal history points who pleads guilty scores 37–46 months (3 years, 1 month to 3 years, 10 months), including the 2-level zero-point reduction. Adjustments such as role in the offense or obstruction can change the level, and the judge can sentence outside the range.

Is probation possible for sabotage of national defense material?

Not under the guidelines. Even at the starting level with a guilty plea and the zero-point reduction the range is in Zone D, where the minimum must be served in prison, though a judge may vary below it.

Is the calculator accurate for sabotage of national defense material?

It follows §2M2.3 of the Guidelines Manual effective November 1, 2025. It passed 6 review rounds, each comparing every number, rule and label with the manual text, and its last round found nothing to correct. Those reviews were done with AI tools, not by lawyers, and it has not yet been reviewed by an attorney, so mistakes are possible. The guidelines are advisory, and a lawyer who knows the case can tell you what actually applies.