United States v. Alvarado-Molina

250 F. App'x 905

Opinion

ORDER AND JUDGMENT

*

DAVID M. EBEL, Circuit Judge.

Defendant-Appellant Jorge Alvarado-Molina (“Alvarado”) pled guilty to reentering the United States illegally after a previous deportation. See 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a)(1)-(2), (b)(2). The district court sentenced Alvarado to a 46-month term of imprisonment. Alvarado appeals, arguing that the sentence is substantively unreasonable. Specifically, Alvarado contends that the sentencing judge disregarded Alvarado’s rationale for re-entering the United States after remaining in Mexico for approximately five and a half years. Because we cannot say that the sentence imposed is unreasonable, we affirm.

I. Background

Alvarado, a Mexican citizen, originally entered the United States in 1990. After a few prior brushes with the law, he was arrested in March 1998 with 150 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of the car he was driving. Alvarado plead guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana. Alvarado received a sentence of 27 months’ imprisonment, served his sentence, and was deported to Mexico in September 2000. In April 2006, U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended Alvarado near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Immigration records revealed that Alvarado had previously been deported and that he had not been granted permission to reenter the United States. As such, he was indicted for illegally re-entering the United States and pled guilty to the charge.

Alvarado’s presentencing report (“PSR”), prepared by the U.S. Probation Office, factored in Alvarado’s previous drug trafficking offense. See U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(a) (base offense level); U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(i) (enhancement). The PSR also credited Alvarado for accepting responsibility for his action, see U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1, because he had submitted a statement noting that he had reentered only because he had learned that his father was to undergo surgery in Phoenix. When combined with his criminal history category of III, Alvarado’s offense level provided for an advisory guideline sentencing range of 46 to 57 months in prison.

At his sentencing hearing, Alvarado assented to the PSR’s statement of facts.¹ The judge decided on a 46-month sentence, stating “I don’t see a basis under [18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) ] to vary from the guideline sentencing range.” In response, Alvarado’s counsel asked the judge to consider the fact that Alvarado had not reentered the United States earlier, after having been deported over five years beforehand. Alvarado also requested leniency, advancing his argument regarding his father’s surgery.

II. Discussion

We review a challenge to the sentence imposed by the district court for its “rea-

sonableness.” United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 261-62, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005); United States v. Kristl, 437 F.3d 1050, 1053 (10th Cir.2006). The reasonableness inquiry encompasses “both procedural and substantive components.” United States v. Cage, 451 F.3d 585, 591 (10th Cir.2006).²

“A substantively reasonable sentence ultimately reflects the gravity of the crime and the § 3553(a) factors as applied to the case.” United States v. Atencio, 476 F.3d 1099, 1102 (10th Cir.2007). Accordingly, we must simply ask “whether the sentence is reasonable in light of the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).” United States v. Sanchez-Juarez, 446 F.3d 1109, 1114 (10th Cir.2006). We presume the sentence is reasonable if it falls within the sentencing guidelines range. Kristl, 437 F.3d at 1054.³

Alvarado argues that his sentence is substantively unreasonable because the district court failed to consider his reason for reentering the United States. See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(1) (instructing sentencing judge to consider offense and offender characteristics). However, the sentencing transcript shows that the judge listened to Alvarado’s two intertwined arguments at the hearing. More importantly, the judge had reviewed the PSR, which also highlights Alvarado’s story regarding his father’s surgery.⁴ The PSR’s statement of the facts, to which Alvarado did not object, provides ample evidence that the sentence imposed was reasonable.

First, the PSR states that Alvarado had not had any contact with his father since he was an adolescent. Throughout the course of this case, Alvarado offered no evidence that would confirm his story about his father’s surgery.⁵ Although the sentencing judge did not directly address the story, he likely discounted it-and reasonably so in our view. A defendant’s mere “say-so” regarding an illness in the family should not suffice to tilt the sentencing scales.

Alvarado also argues that the five-and-a-half-year hiatus that followed his prior deportation demonstrates that deterrence is not a grave concern in his case. See 18 U.S.C. § 3558(a)(2) (instructing sentencing judge to consider basic aims of sentencing). However, Alvarado has been deported twice before. Given Alvarado’s apparent willingness to reenter and his criminal history, the sentencing judge’s decision to abide by the guidelines was reasonable.

III. Conclusion

Nothing Alvarado adduced persuades us that his case is outside the heartland of cases of similarly situated defendants. Because his sentence is not unreasonable, we AFFIRM.

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously to grant the parties’ request for a decision on the briefs without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(f) and 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument. This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. It may be cited, however, for its persuasive value consistent with Fed. R.App. P. 32.1 and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.

1 . At sentencing, Alvarado did dispute the classification of his prior conviction, contending that it was for simple possession of marijuana and, thus, should not be considered a "drug trafficking offense” for purposes of U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(i). Advised of this challenge at the sentencing hearing, the district court noted that "no one simply possesses 150 pounds of marijuana without the intent to distribute it.” The district court also admitted as evidence Alvarado’s guilty plea for this prior felony, which confirms that the offense was an aggravated felony.

2 . Because Alvarado has not challenged the procedural reasonableness of the sentence, we do not address that component of the inquiry.

3 . We may do so because the sentence rests on the reasoned judgment of both the Commission-as incorporated into the sentencing guidelines-and the sentencing judge. See Rita v. United States,-U.S.-, 127 S.Ct. 2456, 2463, 168 L.Ed.2d 203 (2007).

4 . Alvarado detailed the circumstances of his decision to reenter the United States as part of a submission that the Commission credited as an acceptance of responsibility. This acceptance of responsibility resulted in a three-point reduction in his offense level.

5 . Alvarado’s counsel conspicuously avoided advancing this argument as well.