United States v. Monarrez-Lozano
United States v. Monarrez-Lozano
Opinion
Miguel Fernando Monarrez-Lozano (Monarrez) appeals his most recent sentence following his jury-trial convictions for conspiracy to import cocaine, importation of cocaine, conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. He argues that, under United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), his Sixth Amendment rights were violated when the district court sentenced him based on 3.9 kilograms of cocaine. He avers that the amount of drugs should have been limited to the amount found by the jury, i.e., 500 grams or more of cocaine. Following Booker, this court still reviews the district court’s application of the Sentencing Guidelines de novo and reviews factual findings for clear error. See United States v. Villegas, 404 F.3d 355, 359 (5th Cir. 2005); United States v. Villanueva, 408 F.3d 193, 203 & n. 9 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 126 S.Ct. 268, 163 L.Ed.2d 241 (2005).
Monarrez’s argument is untenable. Post-Booker “[t]he sentencing judge is entitled to find by a preponderance of the evidence all the facts relevant to the determination of a Guideline sentencing range and all facts relevant to the determination of a non-Guidelines sentence.” United States v. Mares, 402 F.3d 511, 519 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 126 S.Ct. 43,163 L.Ed.2d 76 (2005).
Moreover, the parties stipulated that the amount of drugs involved was 3.9 kilograms of cocaine. That stipulated amount was recited in the presentence report. Monarrez does not dispute that he entered into the stipulation. Given that the amount was stipulated to and because Monarrez offered no evidence to rebut the presentence report’s reliance on that amount in calculating his offense level, the district court did not clearly err in its finding of the drug quantity. See United States v. Caldwell, 448 F.3d 287, 291 n. 1 (5th Cir. 2006); see also United States v. Holmes, 406 F.3d 337, 364 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 126 S.Ct. 375, 163 L.Ed.2d 163 (2005). 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Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.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.