United States v. Vera-Jara
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
After pleading guilty to illegally reentering the United States in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326, Rodrigo Vera-Jara appeals the district court’s application of a 16-point enhancement under the United States Sentencing Guidelines (“Guidelines”) based on a finding that Vera-Jara had committed a crime of violence prior to being deported. U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(l)(A)(ii). We affirm.
Vera-Jara argues that the district court erred in determining that his Washington convictions for residential burglary and attempted residential burglary qualified as “crimes of violence” because the government did not demonstrate that Vera-Jara burglarized a dwelling, as that term is construed in the Guidelines.
Because the scope of Washington’s residential burglary exceeds the federal definition of burglary of a dwelling, a conviction under R.C.W. § 9A.52.025 does not categorically constitute a conviction for a crime of violence. United States v. Wenner, 351 F.3d 969, 973 (9th Cir. 2003). Nevertheless, in United States v. Guerrero-Velasquez, 434 F.3d 1193 (9th Cir. 2006), we held that where a defendant pleads guilty to an indictment specifically alleging that he burglarized a residence at a particular street address, the court may take judicial notice of the fact that the defendant burglarized a dwelling for the purpose of applying the Guidelines. Id. at 1197. The indictment for Vera-Jara’s Washington convictions specifically stated that he burglarized “130 Gilbert Road, Zillah, Washington, the residence of Elma Longoria.” No more is required under Guerrero-Velasquez. Accordingly, we affirm the district court.
AFFIRMED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff—Appellee v. Rodrigo Manuel VERA-JARA, Defendant—Appellant
- Status
- Published