United States v. Armijo-Arevalo
United States v. Armijo-Arevalo
Opinion
Martin Armijo-Arevalo pleaded guilty to being found in the United States following deportation in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a), (b)(1) and (b)(2). Because Armijo-Arevalo had been deported subsequent to an aggravated felony conviction, his offense level was enhanced by eight points under the Sentencing Guidelines.
Armijo-Arevalo’s argument that the treatment of prior convictions as sentencing factors rather than offense elements under 18 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(1), (b)(2) is unconstitutional is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998).
Armijo-Arevalo also argues that his sentence should be vacated pursuant to United States v. Booker, — U.S. -, 125 *817 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), because it was imposed under a mandatory Sentencing Guidelines regime. Armijo-Arevalo was sentenced on February 4, 2005, and Booker was decided on January 12, 2005. The district court specifically noted that the guidelines were advisory. The record shows that the district court did not err by treating the guidelines as mandatory. Armijo-Arevalo asserts no other error in his sentence, other than the foreclosed issue discussed above.
Armijo-Arevalo also makes ex-post-facto arguments concerning his resentencing on remand. As remand and resentencing are unnecessary, these arguments are moot.
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.
Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.