United States v. Williams

235 F. App'x 122

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

Corey Williams pled guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with possession of contraband (marijuana) in prison in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1791(a)(2) (2000). He was sentenced to twelve months of imprisonment based on a properly-calculated Sentencing Guidelines range of six to twelve months. In his original brief, Williams objects to the fact that his prior convictions, which were not admitted by him, were used to increase his criminal history under the Guidelines, which ultimately increased his sentence. Williams alleges that this usage violates . the. Sixth Amendment and the Supreme Court’s opinions in Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998), and Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 124 S.Ct. 2531, 159 L.Ed.2d 403 (2004). We have rejected this claim. United States v. Cheek, 415 F.3d 349, 352-53 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, 546 U.S. 1010, 126 S.Ct. 640, 163 L.Ed.2d 518 (2005).

After Williams filed his initial brief, the Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005). We ordered additional briefing in light of Booker. In his supplemental brief, Williams concedes that he cannot show that the district court plainly erred by sentencing him under the then-mandatory Sentencing Guidelines, because he cannot show he was prejudiced thereby, e.g. he cannot show that being sentenced under the pre-Booker mandatory Guidelines affected the outcome of his sentence. Thus, he has failed to demonstrate reversible error. See United States v. White, 405 F.3d 208, 215 (4th Cir.2005) (discussing Booker plain error review).

Accordingly, we affirm Williams’ sentence. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED.