United States v. Gonzales

197 F. App'x 360

Opinion

PER CURIAM: *

Christopher Steven Gonzales pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He appeals the district court’s ruling denying his motion to suppress statements made during a post-arrest interview. He argues that the waiver of his Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966), rights was involuntary because it was the result of promises made by the Government. Gonzales does not renew his suppression theory that the waiver of his Miranda rights was involuntary due to medication received at the hospital. He further does not challenge the district court’s denial of his motion to suppress evidence obtained from the raid upon his residence. Accordingly, these issues are abandoned on appeal. See Yohey v. Collins, 985 F.2d 222, 224-25 (5th Cir.1993).

Because the issue whether promises were made by the Government was reached during the suppression hearing, we review the district court’s suppression ruling for clear error in a light most favorable to the Government. See United States v. Maldonado, 42 F.3d 906, 910 (5th Cir.1995).

The record reflects that investigating agents informed Gonzales of the severity of his offense, of the ability to obtain assistance from case agents, and of the potential for transmittal of his cooperation to the United States Attorney. These actions alone did not cause an involuntary waiver of Gonzales’s Miranda rights, and he fails to provide any other evidence that his statements were the result of coercive promises. See United States v. Ballard, 586 F.2d 1060, 1063 (5th Cir.1978); United States v. Frazier, 434 F.2d 994, 995-96 (5th Cir.1970). Accordingly, the judgment of the district court is 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* Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.