UNITED STATES v. SEGOVIA LOPEZ (2019)

Javier Segovia-Lopez pleaded guilty to illegal reentry in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. The district court sentenced him under § 1326(b)(2) based upon the characterization of his prior Texas conviction for aggravated assault as an aggravated felony. For the first time on appeal, Segovia-Lopez challenges the characterization of his prior conviction as an aggravated felony.

We review for plain error. See Puckett v. United States, 556 U.S. 129, 135, 129 S.Ct. 1423, 173 L.Ed.2d 266 (2009). To prevail on plain error review, Segovia-Lopez must show (1) an error (2) that is clear or obvious and (3) that affects his substantial rights. Id. If he does so, we have the discretion to correct the error if it “seriously affect[s] the fairness, integrity or public reputation of judicial proceedings.” Id. (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). On plain error review, we consider whether an error is clear or obvious in light of the state of the law at the time of appeal. See United States v. Sanchez-Arvizu, 893 F.3d 312, 315 (5th Cir. 2018).

Segovia-Lopez fails to demonstrate that the district court erred in classifying his Texas aggravated assault conviction as a crime of violence under 18 U.S.C. § 16(a) and, therefore, an aggravated felony under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(F). See United States v. Gomez Gomez, 917 F.3d 332, 333-34 (5th Cir. 2019); United States v. Reyes-Contreras, 910 F.3d 169, 187 (5th Cir. 2018) (en banc). His argument that retroactively applying Reyes-Contreras violates due process is also unavailing. See Gomez Gomez, 917 F.3d at 334.

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PER CURIAM:* FN* Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.