United States v. Escamilla-Davila

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

United States v. Escamilla-Davila

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 98-41492 Conference Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

versus

DAVID ESCAMILLA-DAVILA,

Defendant-Appellant.

-------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. B-98-CR-477-1 --------------------

August 26, 1999

Before KING, Chief Judge, and JOLLY and DAVIS, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

David Escamilla-Davila (“Escamilla”) challenges his guilty-

plea conviction for illegal reentry of a deported alien, in

violation of

8 U.S.C. § 1326

. Escamilla contends that the

district court erred by failing to comply with Fed. R. Crim. P.

11(c)(1) during rearraignment and that his conviction must

therefore be reversed.

In reviewing whether the district court complied with the

dictates of Rule 11, this court “conduct[s] a straightforward,

* 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. No. 98-41492 -2-

two-question `harmless error’ analysis: (1) Did the sentencing

court in fact vary from the procedures required by Rule 11, and

(2) if so, did such variance affect substantial rights of the

defendant?” United States v. Johnson,

1 F.3d 296, 298

(5th Cir.

1993) (en banc); see Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(h). Although Escamilla

acknowledges that Rule 11 violations are subject to harmless-

error review, he makes no argument that his substantial rights

were affected by the district court’s alleged violation of Rule

11(c)(1). Accordingly, there is no reversible error, see

Johnson,

1 F.3d at 298

, and Escamilla’s appeal is frivolous.

Furthermore, while Escamilla’s argument that the district

court failed to explain the charge to him is not frivolous, it is

meritless. As the charge in this case was simple, a reading of

the indictment, followed by an opportunity given to the defendant

to ask questions about it, was sufficient. United States v.

Dayton,

604 F.2d 931, 937

(5th Cir. 1979) (en banc).

Because Escamilla’s appeal is without merit and is

frivolous, it is DISMISSED. 5th Cir. R. 42.2. The Government's

motion to consolidate this case is DENIED.

APPEAL DISMISSED; MOTION DENIED.

Reference

Status
Unpublished