MEMORANDUM **

John Anthony Miller appeals from the 159-month sentence imposed following his guilty-plea conviction for bribery of a public official in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 201(b)(1), making a false statement in a passport application in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1542, aggravated identity theft in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A, and mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.

Miller contends that the district court procedurally erred when it failed to consider or explain why it rejected the government’s request for a three-level downward variance in light of Miller’s cooperation.

The record reflects that the district court considered the arguments and adequately explained that in light of the severity of the offense, a sentence below the Guidelines range was not warranted. See Rita v. United States, 551 U.S. 338, 359, 127 S.Ct. 2456, 168 L.Ed.2d 203 (2007); see also United States v. Carty, 520 F.3d 984, 995 (9th Cir. 2008) (en banc).

AFFIRMED.