UNITED STATES v. RAMIREZ GARCIA (2021)

Hugo Ramirez-Garcia was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his guilty plea conviction of illegal reentry after removal, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. As his sole appellate issue, Ramirez-Garcia argues that the recidivism enhancement under § 1326(b) is unconstitutional in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), and subsequent decisions because the statute provides for a sentence above the otherwise applicable statutory maximum based on facts that are neither alleged in the indictment nor found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Ramirez-Garcia concedes that this argument is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 226-27, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998), but seeks to preserve the issue for further review.

The Government has filed an unopposed motion for summary affirmance or, in the alternative, an extension of time to file a brief. As the Government argues, and Ramirez-Garcia concedes, the sole issue raised on appeal is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres, 523 U.S. at 226-27, 118 S.Ct. 1219. 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). 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 AS MOOT, 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Per Curiam:* FN* Pursuant to 5th Circuit Rule 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Circuit Rule 47.5.4.