UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ISRAEL GARZA (2016)

Israel Garza contests his 240-month prison term for possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. He contends that the district court could sentence him to only a ten-year maximum because the information filed under 21 U.S.C. § 851 indicated that the enhancement was being sought under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(b). The government moves to dismiss the appeal on the basis that Garza failed to file a timely notice of appeal.

The record supports the government's contention. Garza filed his notice of appeal almost eighteen months after entry of judgment, well beyond the fourteen days that is permitted and also well beyond the time during which the district court could have granted an extension on a showing of either excusable neglect or good cause. See FED. R. APP. P. 4(b)(1)(A)(i), (b)(4); United States v. Alvarez, 210 F.3d 309, 310 (5th Cir. 2000). Although the untimely filing of an appeal in a criminal case is not jurisdictional, see United States v. Martinez, 496 F.3d 387, 388–89 (5th Cir. 2007), this court will not disregard untimeliness where the government raises the issue, see Eberhart v. United States, 546 U.S. 12, 18 (2005).

The motion to dismiss is GRANTED, and the appeal is DISMISSED as untimely.

PER CURIAM:*