A more thorough explanation:

Definition: A minor participant is a defendant in a criminal case who is less responsible for the crime than the other members of the group, but more responsible than a minimal participant.

For example, if a group of people rob a bank, the person who drove the getaway car may be considered a minor participant because they were not directly involved in the robbery, but still played a role in the crime.

Under the federal sentencing guidelines, a minor participant can have their offense level decreased by two levels, which can result in a lighter sentence.

Example: In a drug trafficking case, a defendant who helped package the drugs for distribution, but did not participate in the actual sale of the drugs, may be considered a minor participant.

This example illustrates how a person can be involved in a crime, but not be as responsible as others in the group. The minor participant may still face consequences for their involvement, but their sentence may be less severe than those who played a larger role in the crime.