Paul Wilkinson worked for a company that sold fuel to various military bases. He paid an employee of a competitor to provide him with information about bids for contracts for which both companies were bidding. The information enabled Wilkinson to rig the bids and win contracts. When the scam was uncovered, he was indicted for conspiracy to defraud the government, to commit wire fraud, and to steal trade secrets. He pleaded guilty to the charges under a plea arrangement. Given the nature of the offenses, the federal sentencing guidelines provide for a prison term of fifty-one to sixty-three months with no possibility of probation. Due to Wilkinson’s cooperation, the prosecution recommended fifty-one months. His attorney argued for a term of ten to sixteen months. The judge sentenced Wilkinson to three years’ probation and eight hundred hours of community service, but no prison term. The government appealed, arguing that the sentence was too light in violation of the sentencing guidelines. Can a trial judge give such a light sentence under the sentencing guidelines? Explain your answer. [United States v. Wilkinson, 590 F.3d 259 (4th Cir. 2010)]