United States v. Juan Rodriguez

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States v. Juan Rodriguez, 508 F. App'x 611 (9th Cir. 2013)

United States v. Juan Rodriguez

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Juan Oscar Rodriguez appeals from the district court’s judgment and challenges the 120-month sentence imposed following his guilty-plea conviction for importation of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 952 and 960. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.

The government contends that this appeal should be dismissed in light of the appeal waiver set forth in Rodriguez’s plea agreement. Because the appeal waiver is ambiguous, we reach the merits of Rodriguez’s claim.

Rodriguez contends that the district court violated Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32 by failing to resolve whether he was truthful in providing all of the information he had concerning his offense. The parties dispute the standard of review that applies to this claim. We need not resolve this dispute because even on de novo review, Rodriguez’s claim fails. In determining that Rodriguez was not eligible for safety valve relief, the district court expressly found that he did not truthfully disclose all of the information he had concerning the offense. Accordingly, the court did not violate Rule 32. See United States v. Karterman, 60 F.3d 576, 583 (9th Cir. 1995). To the extent Rodriguez contends that the court’s conclusion conflicts with its comments concerning his acceptance of responsibility, this contention is without merit. See United States v. Shrestha, 86 F.3d 935, 939-40 (9th Cir. 1996) (describing difference between acceptance of responsibility and safety valve provisions).

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. Juan Oscar RODRIGUEZ, Defendant-Appellant
Status
Unpublished