United States v. Tapia-Rodriguez
United States v. Tapia-Rodriguez
Opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 01-50100 Conference Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
EDUARDO TAPIA-RODRIGUEZ,
Defendant-Appellant.
-------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. DR-00-CR-464-1-WWJ -------------------- February 21, 2002
Before JOLLY, JONES, and BENAVIDES, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Eduardo Tapia-Rodriguez (“Tapia”) appeals the sentencing
following his guilty plea for illegal reentry into the United
States following deportation in violation of
8 U.S.C. § 1326(a)
and (b)(2). Tapia argues that he is entitled to resentencing
because the district court failed to verify whether his attorney
reviewed and discussed the presentence report (PSR) with him
prior to sentencing in violation of Federal Rule of Criminal
Procedure 32(c)(3)(A).
* 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 01-50100 -2-
We agree that the district court failed to comply with Rule
32(c)(3)(A). However, because Tapia did not raise the issue of
noncompliance in the district court, we will correct the error
only if it was plain and affected Tapia’s substantial rights.
See United States v. Esparza-Gonzalez,
268 F.3d 272, 273-74(5th
Cir. 2001); see also United States v. Olano,
507 U.S. 725, 732-34(1993).
Tapia failed to object to the Rule 32(c)(3)(A) violation in
the district court. He does not argue that he did not review or
discuss his PSR with his attorney; instead, he relies on the
absence of any record evidence to indicate that he reviewed and
discussed the PSR with counsel. Thus, Tapia has not demonstrated
that he was prejudiced by the court’s failure to comply with Rule
32(c)(3)(A). Because Tapia has failed to carry his burden of
demonstrating prejudice, he has not established plain error. See
Esparza-Gonzalez,
268 F.3d at 274. Tapia’s conviction and
sentence are AFFIRMED.
Reference
- Status
- Unpublished