United States v. Jesus Ruiz-Sanchez

574 F. App'x 424

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• Decided: June 30, 2014
• Docket: 12-40199
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

ON REMAND FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

PER CURIAM: *

Jesus Ruiz-Sanchez pleaded guilty to illegal presence in the United States after removal and was sentenced to 41 months of imprisonment. We previously affirmed; however, the Supreme Court granted cer-tiorari, vacated our opinion, and remanded for further consideration in light of Descamps v. United States, — U.S.-, 133 S.Ct. 2276, 186 L.Ed.2d 438 (2013). See United States v. Ruiz-Sanchez, 505 Fed.Appx. 370 (5th Cir.), vacated and remanded, — U.S. -, 134 S.Ct. 60, 187 L.Ed.2d 2 (2013).

As an initial matter, the Government argues that Ruiz-Sanchez invited or waived the alleged error. We conclude that defense counsel did not invite or waive the alleged error; however, because counsel failed to object on this basis in the district court, our review is for plain error. See United States v. Arviso-Mata, 442 F.3d 382, 384 (5th Cir.2006). To show plain error, the appellant must show a forfeited error that is clear or obvious and that affects his substantial rights. Puckett v. United States, 556 U.S. 129, 135, 129 S.Ct. 1428, 173 L.Ed.2d 266 (2009). If the appellant makes such a showing, this court has the discretion to correct the error but only if it seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. Id.

Ruiz-Sanchez appeals the district court’s determination that a prior Illinois conviction qualified as a drug trafficking offense and the resulting imposition of a 16-level enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(l)(A)(i) (2011). He argues that the Illinois statute at issue, 720 ILL. COMP. STAT. 570/401(a)(2)(D), criminalizes some kinds conduct, such as administering a controlled substance, that do not qualify as a drug trafficking offense under § 2L1.2(b)(l)(A)(i). However, Ruiz-Sanchez has not pointed to any Illinois case applying this statute in an “administering” situation. A “theoretical possibility” that a statute encompasses other types of conduct that would not qualify is insufficient to avoid application of the enhancement. See United States v. Carrasco-Tercero, 745 F.3d 192, 197-98 (5th Cir.2014). We agree with a recent unpublished decision of this court finding that any error in applying the enhancement on this basis was not clear or obvious error. See United States v. Villeda-Mejia, No. 13-40089, 559 Fed.Appx 387, 2014 WL 1229953 (5th Cir. Mar. 26, 2014). Ruiz-Sanchez has not shown that the district court plainly erred in applying the enhancement. See Puckett, 556 U.S. at 135, 129 S.Ct. 1423.

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.