United States v. Garcia-Gallegos
Opinion
Jose Garcia-Herrera appeals his sentence for illegal reentry into the United States after deportation following a conviction for an aggravated felony, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and (b). Although the Government seeks to dismiss GareiaHerrera’s appeal as barred by the appellate waiver provision in his plea agreement, we need not decide whether the waiver precludes consideration of the instant appeal as Garcia-Herrera’s constitutional challenge is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 235, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998). Although Garcia-Herrera contends that Almendarez-Torres was incorrectly decided and that a majority of the Supreme Court would overrule Almendarez-Torres in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), we have repeatedly rejected such arguments on the basis that Almendarez-Torres remains binding. See United States v. Garza-Lopez, 410 F.3d 268, 276 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 126 S.Ct. 298, 163 L.Ed.2d 260 (2005). Garcia-Herrera properly concedes that his argument is foreclosed in light of Almendarez-Torres and circuit precedent, but he raises it here to preserve it for further review. His sentence is affirmed.
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Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Jose GARCIA-HERRERA, Defendant-Appellant
- Status
- Unpublished