U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2007

United States v. Rodriguez

United States v. Rodriguez
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · Decided April 12, 2007 · Davis, Barksdale, Benavides
224 F. App'x 418

United States v. Rodriguez

Opinion

PER CURIAM: *

Roberto Guzman Rodriguez was sentenced to an 18-month term of imprisonment following the revocation of a term of supervised release imposed as part of a 2001 sentence for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Rodriguez argues on appeal that his sentence constitutes plain error because it was based on an incorrect calculation of the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and further argues that the district court plainly erred by not specifically addressing the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors during the sentencing hearing.

To establish reversible plain error, Rodriguez must identify a clear or obvious error that affected his substantial rights. United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 731-37, 113 S.Ct. 1770, 123 L.Ed.2d 508 (1993). Even if Rodriguez establishes these factors, we retain the discretion whether to correct the error and will generally do so only if the error “affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings.” United States v. Castillo, 386 F.3d 632, 636 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 543 U.S. 1029, 125 S.Ct. 675, 160 L.Ed.2d 510 (2004).

Although it is undisputed that Rodriguez’s sentence is the result of a misapplication of the Sentencing Guidelines, he has failed to show that the error affected his substantial rights. Rodriguez’s revocation sentence was within the three-year statutory maximum sentence authorized upon revocation. See 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e)(3); 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(l)(B)(vn).

The district court determined that Rodriguez testified falsely at the sentencing hearing and that his self-serving testimony constituted perjury and obstruction of justice. It is implicit from the court’s comments at the sentencing hearing that the court considered the § 3553(a) factors in arriving at an appropriate sentence. § 3553(a); see United States v. Gonzalez, 250 F.3d 923, 930 (5th Cir. 2001). Rodriguez has therefore failed to demonstrate that his revocation sentence constitutes reversible plain error. Moreover, because the 24-month sentence is within the statutory maximum, it was not unreasonable. United States v. Boykin, No. 05-50704, — Fed.Appx.-,-, 2006 WL 616031 at * 1 (5th Cir.), cert. denied,-U.S.-, *420 127 S.Ct. 153, 166 L.Ed.2d 112 (2006) (unpublished).

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.

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