UNITED STATES v. SANCHEZ (2018)

ORDER AND JUDGMENT *

The defendant, Mr. Marcos Sanchez, was convicted in 2006 of possessing a firearm after a prior felony conviction and sentenced to fifteen years’ imprisonment. See 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). The sentence was enhanced under the Armed Career Criminal Act, 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(1), which created a fifteen-year mandatory minimum. In district court, Mr. Sanchez unsuccessfully challenged the sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. We affirm.

* * *

The Armed Career Criminal Act would have been triggered by three or more past convictions for violent felonies or serious drug crimes. Applying the Armed Career Criminal Act, the district court characterized the crimes underlying Mr. Sanchez's past convictions as “violent felonies.” All of these convictions were for residential burglary under New Mexico law.

Under the Armed Career Criminal Act, a felony conviction could be considered a “violent felony” in one of three ways.

First, under the “elements clause,” a conviction would constitute a “violent felony” if an element consisted of the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against another person. 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(B)(i).

Second, under the “enumerated-offense clause,” a conviction would count as a “violent felony” if it was for burglary, arson, extortion, or another crime involving the use of explosives. 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(B)(ii).

Third, under the “residual clause,” a conviction would constitute a “violent felony” if it otherwise involved conduct creating a serious potential risk of physical injury to another person. Id.

Since the sentencing took place, the Supreme Court has held that the residual clause is unconstitutionally vague. Johnson v. United States, ––– U.S. ––––, 135 S.Ct. 2551, 2556-63, 192 L.Ed.2d 569 (2015). Mr. Sanchez relies on the constitutional infirmity of the residual clause, arguing that the sentence enhancement would no longer be permissible.

To decide this appeal, we must determine whether residential burglary under New Mexico law would constitute a “violent felony” under the Armed Career Criminal Act. We can no longer rely on the residual clause because it is unconstitutionally vague, and the government does not invoke the elements clause. As a result, the sentence could be enhanced only if the New Mexico crime of residential burglary would satisfy the enumerated-offense clause.

We recently addressed this issue in United States v. Turrieta, holding that a conviction for residential burglary in New Mexico satisfies the enumerated-offense clause. 875 F.3d 1340 (10th Cir. 2017). Mr. Sanchez acknowledges that Turrieta forecloses relief but argues that Turrieta was wrongly decided. Appellant's Supp. Br., passim (Dec. 12, 2017). We recently denied a petition for rehearing in Turrieta and are obligated to follow that opinion. United States v. Tafoya, 557 F.3d 1121, 1129 (10th Cir. 2009). As a result, we affirm the denial of Mr. Sanchez's § 2255 motion.

Robert E. Bacharach, Circuit Judge