United States v. Valencia

83 F. App'x 935

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

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Vicente Valencia appeals his 180-month sentence imposed following his guilty plea to conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Valencia contends there was insufficient evidence to support the district court’s imposition of a two-level sentencing enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 3Bl.l(c) for Valencia’s role of a manager or supervisor in the conspiracy. We review for clear error, United States v. Riley, 335 F.3d 919, 925 (9th Cir.2003), and affirm.

To sustain a finding that a defendant played an aggravated role under section 3B1.1, there must be evidence that the defendant exercised some control over others involved in commission of the offense. United States v. Harper, 33 F.3d 1143, 1151 (9th Cir.1994). A defendant need only exercise authority over one other participant in order to merit the adjustment. United States v. Maldonado, 215 F.3d 1046,1050 (9th Cir.2000).

Valencia argues that in concluding that he managed others, the district court improperly relied solely on information in the presentence report which recited his co-conspirators’ trial testimony regarding Valencia’s role in the offense. Valencia contends that because the sentencing judge was not the trial judge hearing that testimony, the information in the PSR is unreliable. We disagree. While the government bears the burden of proving the facts underlying the enhancement, if it submits the PSR as proof, and if the defendant submits no contrary evidence, the only evidence before the sentencing judge is the uncontroverted PSR. In such a case, a judge may rely on the PSR to establish the factual basis for the enhancement. See United States v. Romero-Rendon, 220 F.3d 1159, 01163 (9th Cir.2000).

AFFIRMED.

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.