UNITED STATES v. FRANCO DE LA CRUZ (2018)

Gerardo Omar Franco-De La Cruz appeals the 58-month sentence imposed on his guilty plea conviction of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Because Franco-De La Cruz did not alert the district court to the specific issues he now raises on appeal, we review for plain error. See United States v. Neal, 578 F.3d 270, 272 (5th Cir. 2009).

First, Franco-De La Cruz argues that the district court improperly limited the extent of his downward departure by considering improper factors. See United States v. Desselle, 450 F.3d 179, 182 (5th Cir. 2006). If we assume without deciding that the district court’s comments at sentencing reflect a clear or obvious error, we nonetheless conclude that Franco-De La Cruz has not shown that the error affected his substantial rights. See United States v. Escalante-Reyes, 689 F.3d 415, 424 (5th Cir. 2012) (en banc); United States v. Malone, 828 F.3d 331, 341 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, ––– U.S. ––––, 137 S.Ct. 526, 196 L.Ed.2d 408 (2016) (finding harmless error where the district court merely “muddled the steps” in formulating the sentence).

Second, Franco-De La Cruz disagrees with how the district court balanced the pertinent § 3553(a) sentencing factors. We perceive no reversible error. See Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51, 128 S.Ct. 586, 169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007); Malone, 828 F.3d at 342 & n.41.

AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

FOOTNOTE.  

PER CURIAM: * FN* Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.