United States v. Chavez-Herrera

140 F. App'x 581

Opinion

PER CURIAM: *

Jesus Chavez-Herrera (“Chavez”) appeals his conviction and the 30-month sentence imposed following entry of his guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute 77.35 kilograms of marijuana. Chavez contends for the first time that his sentence must be vacated in light of United States v. Booker, — U.S. -, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005).

Chavez asserts that the district court’s finding, made at sentencing pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3B1.4 that he used or attempted to use minor children to avoid detection during the drug offense, constituted reversible, plain error. Chavez contends that this finding was made in violation of his Sixth Amendment rights and Booker because the finding enhanced his sentence based on facts that were neither alleged in the indictment nor admitted. Chavez argues that the finding resulted in the application of a substantially greater Guideline range and affected his substantial rights. Chavez also contends for the first time that his sentence is unconstitutional because it was imposed pursuant to a mandatory Sentencing Guidelines system.

Our review of Chavez’s contentions is for plain error only. United States v. Martinez-Lugo, 411 F.3d 597, 600 (5th Cir.2005); United States v. Mares, 402 F.3d 511, 520 (5th Cir.2005), petition for cert. filed (Mar. 31, 2005) (No. 04-9517). Chavez must demonstrate error that is obvious and that affects his substantial rights. See Mares, 402 F.3d at 520.

Chavez has demonstrated obvious error. See Booker, 125 S.Ct. at 749-50; Martinez-Lugo, 411 F.3d at 600; Mares, 402 F.3d at 520-21. Nevertheless, he still must show that the error affected his substantial rights; he must demonstrate that “the error must have affected the outcome of the district court proceedings.” Martinez-Lugo, 411 F.3d at 600 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).

Chavez has not shown that any error affected his substantial rights. See Mares, 402 F.3d at 521-22. He has not demonstrated that “the sentencing judge — -sentencing under an advisory scheme rather than a mandatory one — -would have reached a significantly different result.” Id. Based on the record before us, we do not know what sentence the district court would have imposed had the Guidelines been advisory. See id. at 522. Accordingly, Chavez has not established plain error. See Martinez-Lugo, 411 F.3d at 601; United States v. Bringier, 405 F.3d 310, 317-18 (5th Cir.2005), petition for cert. filed (July 26, 2005) (No. 05-5535); Mares, 402 F.3d at 521-22.

Chavez contends for the first time on appeal that 21 U.S.C. § 841(a) and (b) are unconstitutional in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 490, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000). He asserts that the penalties based on drug type and quantity set forth in 21 U.S.C. § 841(b), which have been held to constitute sentencing factors rather than elements of the offense, conflict with Apprendi and cannot be severed from the substantive portions of the statutes. Chavez admits that he raises the issue to preserve it for further review.

As Chavez concedes, his arguments are foreclosed. United States v. Slaughter, 238 F.3d 580, 582 (5th Cir.2000); see United States v. Valenzuela-Quevedo, 407 F.3d 728, 731 (5th Cir.2005), petition for cert. filed (July 25, 2005) (No. 05-5556). We are bound by our prior precedent. See United States v. Lee, 310 F.3d 787, 789 (5th Cir.2002).

Chavez’s conviction and sentence are AFFIRMED.

* 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.