UNITED STATES v. CHAIREZ MEDINA (2020)

Mario Rodolfo Chairez-Medina appeals from a judgment revoking his previously-imposed supervised release and a judgment of conviction on his guilty plea to illegal reentry, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. He argues that the enhancement of his sentence based on his prior conviction pursuant to § 1326(b)(2), which increased the statutory maximum term of imprisonment to 20 years for his illegal reentry offense, is unconstitutional because his prior conviction is treated as a sentencing factor rather than an element of the offense that must be alleged in the indictment and found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. He concedes that the issue is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998), but he seeks to preserve the issue for possible Supreme Court review because, he argues, subsequent decisions indicate that the Supreme Court may reconsider its holding in Almendarez-Torres. The Government moves for summary affirmance, urging that Chairez’s argument is foreclosed.

The parties are correct that Chairez’s argument is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres. See United States v. Wallace, 759 F.3d 486, 497 (5th Cir. 2014); United States v. Rojas-Luna, 522 F.3d 502, 505-06 (5th Cir. 2008). Accordingly, the Government’s motion for summary affirmance is GRANTED, see Groendyke Transp., Inc. v. Davis, 406 F.2d 1158, 1162 (5th Cir. 1969), the Government’s alternative motion for an extension of time to file a brief is DENIED AS MOOT, and the judgments of the district court are AFFIRMED.

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PER CURIAM:* FN* Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.