United States v. Smith

173 F. App'x 359

Opinion

PER CURIAM: *

Ricky Bernard Smith appeals from his guilty-plea conviction for possession of stolen mail. Smith argues that his sentence should be vacated and remanded under United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), because the district court erred by sentencing him based on judicial fact-findings made in violation of his rights under the Sixth Amendment. Smith preserved this issue by objecting to the sentence enhancement on Sixth Amendment grounds. United States v. Akpan, 407 F.3d 360, 376 (5th Cir.2005).

We cannot affirm the erroneous sentence unless the Government shows that the error is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. See United States v. Pineiro, 410 F.3d 282, 285-86 (5th Cir.2005). We conclude that the Government has not met its burden. See United States v. Garza, 429 F.3d 165, 171 (5th Cir.2005). We therefore VACATE Smith’s sentence and REMAND for re-sentencing.

* Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.