United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT February 18, 2004

Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 03-41025 Conference Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

versus

JAIME DE LA CRUZ,

Defendant-Appellant.

-------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. C-03-CR-74-1 --------------------

Before HIGGINBOTHAM, EMILIO M. GARZA, and PRADO, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

Jaime De La Cruz appeals his guilty plea conviction for

possession with the intent to distribute more than 1000 kilograms

of marijuana in violation of

. He argues that

is unconstitutional in light of Apprendi v. New

Jersey,

(2000). De La Cruz concedes that this court

rejected his argument in United States v. Slaughter,

, 582 (5th Cir. 2000), but asserts that he is raising it to

preserve it for Supreme Court review. As the argument is

* 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 03-41025 -2-

foreclosed by circuit precedent, the judgment of the district

court is AFFIRMED.