United States v. Herrera-Villatoro
United States v. Herrera-Villatoro
Opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 01-21169 Summary Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
EDGAR ALEXANDER HERRERA-VILLATORO,
Defendant-Appellant.
-------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. H-00-CR-886-ALL -------------------- September 12, 2002
Before HIGGINBOTHAM, SMITH, and CLEMENT, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Edgar Alexander Herrera-Villatoro appeals from his guilty-
plea conviction for illegally reentering the United States after
being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He
contends that his offense level under the sentencing guidelines
should not have been increased by 16 levels for a prior
aggravated felony.
Herrera argues that his prior Texas felony conviction for
indecency with a child was not a “crime of violence” warranting
* 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 01-21169 -2-
the 16-level increase. The guidelines provide for a 16-level
increase when the defendant has a prior felony conviction for a
“crime of violence.” U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(ii) (Nov. 2001).
A crime of violence is defined to include “sexual abuse of a
minor.” Id. comment. (n. (1)(B)(ii)(II)). The Texas crime of
indecency with a child, see TEX. PENAL CODE § 21.11, constitutes
“sexual abuse of a minor.” United States v. Zavala-Sustaita,
214 F.3d 601, 607(5th Cir. 2000), cert. denied,
531 U.S. 982(2000);
see also United States v. Rayo-Valdez, ___ F.3d ___, No. 02-10010
(5th Cir. Aug. 12, 2002),
2002 WL 1832140, *3(“for purposes of
determining ‘crime of violence’ under § 2L1.2, there is no such
thing as non-violent sexual abuse of a minor”). Herrera’s 16-
level increase was warranted by his prior conviction for
indecency with a child.
Herrera also contends that his prior conviction for
transporting an illegal alien cannot support the 16-level
increase because, at the time of his conviction, the elements of
that offense did not include committing the act for profit as
required by the guidelines. See U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(vii).
He also argues that transporting an alien within the United
States is not an alien “smuggling” offense. We need not address
these arguments because the 16-level increase was justified by
Herrera’s prior felony conviction for indecency with a child.
The conviction and sentence are AFFIRMED.
Reference
- Status
- Unpublished