MEMORANDUM**

Jose Cisneros-Calderon appeals from his sentence, imposed following conviction after jury trial, for conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 846, and 18 U.S.C. § 2. Cisneros-Calderon contends that the district court erred in its calculation of his sentencing range under the United States Sentencing Guidelines by (1) finding him to be a leader or organizer in the criminal activity rather than a minimal participant, and (2) denying him an offense level reduction for acceptance of responsibility. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and we affirm.

We review for clear error the district court's determination of a defendant's role in the offense. United States v. Smith, 924 F.2d 889, 895 (9th Cir.1991). Similarly, the district court's decision that a defendant has not accepted responsibility for his actions is a factual finding reviewed for clear error. United States v. Ramos, 923 F.2d 1346, 1360 (9th Cir.1991). Explicit acceptance of the probation officer's recommendations is a sufficiently specific finding of fact. United States v. Rosales, 917 F.2d 1220, 1222 (9th Cir.1990).

The district court can rely on a defendant's significant degree of control over contraband to adjust upward his base offense level for a leadership role. See, e.g., United States v. Carvajal, 905 F.2d 1292, 1296 (9th Cir.1990). The defendant must prove his minor role by a preponderance of evidence to warrant a downward adjustment, see United States v. Sanchez, 908 F.2d 1443, 1449 (9th Cir.1990), and the district court is entitled to discount the defendant's own self-serving statements, see, e.g., United States v. Smith, 905 F.2d 1296, 1301-02 (9th Cir.1990). To receive a two-level downward adjustment for acceptance of responsibility, the defendant must show contrition for the criminal act. Ramos, 923 F.2d at 1360 (defendant's minimalist description of his involvement in the offense not sufficient for downward adjustment); see also U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1.

Here, Cisneros-Calderon was indicted for participation in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. Although he pleaded not guilty and claimed ignorance of the conspiracy, the jury heard testimony from an undercover Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent that Cisneros-Calderon appeared to be the conspiracy member responsible for actually obtaining the cocaine and appeared to "take charge" of the transaction. Following his conviction, Cisneros-Calderon continued to deny any participation in the offense.

The presentence report (PSR) recommended a two-level upward adjustment for a leadership role pursuant to U.S.S.G. 3B1.1(c) because Cisneros-Calderon appeared to be responsible for the cocaine and the actual sale, while other participants merely introduced the undercover agent to him. The PSR also denied a downward adjustment for acceptance of responsibility because Cisneros-Calderon never admitted his criminal conduct. At sentencing, Cisneros-Calderon argued for a finding that he in fact had played a minimal role in the offense, contending that the undercover DEA agent had confused him with one of his codefendants. He accepted responsibility for his presence at the house during the drug sale, but continued to deny any knowledge of the transaction.

The district court explicitly accepted the PSR's recommendation as to the calculation of the Guidelines range, but gave Cisneros-Calderon's arguments enough weight to warrant a sentence at the bottom of the range. Based on these facts, the district court did not clearly err by finding that Cisneros-Calderon played a leadership rather than a minimal role in the offense,1 see Carvajal, 905 F.2d at 1296, and failed to accept responsibility for his actions, see Ramos, 923 F.2d at 1360.2

AFFIRMED.