UNITED STATES v. NINO GUERRERO (2020)

Omero Nino-Guerrero appeals the 21-month term of imprisonment and three-year term of supervised release imposed following his guilty plea conviction for illegal reentry after deportation. See 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a), (b)(1). According to Nino-Guerrero, § 1326(b)’s enhanced penalty provisions for prior convictions are unconstitutional to the extent prior convictions are treated as sentencing factors rather than as elements of the offense that must be alleged in the indictment and proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Nino-Guerrero correctly concedes that his argument is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998), but he raises the issue to preserve it for further possible review. See United States v. Wallace, 759 F.3d 486, 497 (5th Cir. 2014); United States v. Pineda-Arrellano, 492 F.3d 624, 625-26 (5th Cir. 2007).

The Government has filed an unopposed motion for summary affirmance and, alternatively, seeks an extension of time to file its brief. Because the issue is foreclosed, summary affirmance is appropriate. See Groendyke Transp., Inc. v. Davis, 406 F.2d 1158, 1162 (5th Cir. 1969). Accordingly, the Government’s motion for summary affirmance is GRANTED, the Government’s alternative motion for an extension of time to file a brief is DENIED, and the judgment of the district court is 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PER CURIAM:* FN* Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.