UNITED STATES v. AYALA SOLORIO (2020)

Rafael Ayala-Solorio appeals his sentence of 120 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, which the district court imposed following his guilty plea conviction for illegal reentry, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. He argues that the recidivism enhancement set forth in § 1326(b) is an element of the offense that must be alleged in the indictment and proven beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury. He therefore argues that his guilty plea is invalid because he was not advised of an element of the offense and that his sentence is illegal because the application of § 1326(b) increased the statutory maximum terms of imprisonment and supervised release. 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 further review. The Government moves for summary affirmance, asserting that Ayala-Solorio's argument is foreclosed. Alternatively, the Government seeks an extension of time to file a brief.

The parties are correct that Ayala-Solorio's claim 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, 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, and the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

FOOTNOTE.  

Per Curiam:* FN* Pursuant to 5th Circuit Rule 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Circuit Rule 47.5.4.