United States v. Cantu

225 F. App'x 301

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• Decided: April 24, 2007
• Docket: 06-40123
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

PER CURIAM: *

Conrado Cantu appeals his guilty-plea conviction and sentence for racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c). Cantu argues that the district court erred in enhancing his offense level pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1 for his obstructive behavior. He contends further that his waiver of his right to appeal his sentence is not enforceable in light of the Government’s breach of an oral plea agreement.

We first address Cantu’s breach argument, which we review de novo. See United States v. Price, 95 F.3d 364, 367 (5th Cir.1996). Cantu has not carried his burden of establishing by a preponderance of the evidence that the Government breached the plea agreement. United States v. Laday, 56 F.3d 24, 26 (5th Cir.1995). The terms of Cantu’s plea agreement were explicit and clear. The plea agreement did not obligate the Government to file a § 5K1.1 motion or to recommend any particular sentence. Despite Cantu’s self-serving allegations, there is nothing in the record to support his assertion that the Government made oral promises outside of the plea agreement and later breached those promises. See United States v. Bal-lis, 28 F.3d 1399, 1410 (5th Cir.1994) (although circumstances surrounding the agreement’s negotiations might indicate the parties’ intent, “parol evidence is inadmissible to prove the meaning of an unambiguous plea agreement.”)

Cantu’s plea agreement contained an appeal waiver, which the Government seeks to enforce and which the record establishes was entered into knowingly and vol untarily. See United States v. Robinson, 187 F.3d 516, 517 (5th Cir.1999). Therefore, Cantu’s appeal of the § 3C1.1 enhancement is barred by his waiver and is dismissed. See United States v. Melan-con, 972 F.2d 566, 568 (5th Cir.1992).

APPEAL DISMISSED.

* Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.