UNITED STATES v. AVILA (2021)

Christopher Anthony Avila appeals his within-guidelines sentence of 436 months in prison imposed following his guilty plea conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. See 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1), 846. According to Avila, the district court procedurally erred by treating the Sentencing Guidelines as mandatory in setting his sentence. See Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 49-51, 128 S.Ct. 586, 169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007). We review for abuse of discretion. See United States v. Gozes-Wagner, 977 F.3d 323, 338-39 (5th Cir. 2020).

The district court considered and rejected Avila's argument for a downward variance based on a policy disagreement with the treatment of different types of methamphetamine in the Sentencing Guidelines. Based on the sentencing record, including an acknowledgment that other judges vary on that basis, we are unpersuaded that the district court was unaware of its discretion to do so. See United States v. Malone, 828 F.3d 331, 338-39 (5th Cir. 2016); United States v. Burns, 526 F.3d 852, 861-62 (5th Cir. 2008). That the district court chose not to exercise that discretionary authority at this time does not demonstrate procedural error in imposing Avila's sentence.

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Per Curiam:* FN* Pursuant to 5th Circuit Rule 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Circuit Rule 47.5.4.