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UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Ricardo Roosbel MORALES-GALLEGOS, Defendant-Appellant
Ricardo Roosbel Morales-Gallegos was convicted of one charge of importing 18.69 kilograms of methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 168 months in prison. Now, he argues that the factual basis is insufficient to support his conviction because it does not establish that he knew the type and quantity of drugs involved with his offense. He concedes that this argument is foreclosed by United States v. Betancourt, 586 F.3d 303, 308-09 (5th Cir. 2009), and he has filed an unopposed motion for summary disposition based on Betancourt.
As Morales-Gallegos acknowledges, Betancourt reiterated that a defendant’s knowledge of the type and quantity of drugs is not an element of a federal drug offense. 586 F.3d at 308-09. This case thus forecloses his argument concerning the necessity of the factual basis establishing his knowledge of the type and quantity of drugs involved with his offense. See id. His motion for summary disposition is GRANTED, and the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.
FOOTNOTES
PER CURIAM:* FN* Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.
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Docket No: No. 19-40054
Decided: July 26, 2019
Court: United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
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Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
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