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U.S. v. MUBDI, 13-4961. (2014)

Court: Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Number: infco20140915054 Visitors: 12
Filed: Sep. 15, 2014
Latest Update: Sep. 15, 2014
Summary: UNPUBLISHED Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. PER CURIAM. Mantel Delance Mubdi appeals the 195-month sentence imposed by the district court following remand by this court for resentencing in light of Alleyne v. United States, 133 S.Ct. 133 (2013). On appeal, Mubdi contends that his sentence is substantively unreasonable and that the district court erred in increasing the statutory mandatory minimum sentence on his drug convictions based on the fact of a prio
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UNPUBLISHED

Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

PER CURIAM.

Mantel Delance Mubdi appeals the 195-month sentence imposed by the district court following remand by this court for resentencing in light of Alleyne v. United States, 133 S.Ct. 133 (2013). On appeal, Mubdi contends that his sentence is substantively unreasonable and that the district court erred in increasing the statutory mandatory minimum sentence on his drug convictions based on the fact of a prior conviction. Finding no error, we affirm.

Mubdi first contends that his sentence is substantively unreasonable because of the unwarranted sentencing disparity resulting from the crack-to-powder ratio established by the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010. In reviewing the substantive reasonableness of a sentence, we must "take into account the totality of the circumstances." Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007). If the sentence imposed is within the appropriate Sentencing Guidelines range, "we apply a presumption of reasonableness." United States v. Weon, 722 F.3d 583, 590 (4th Cir. 2013). The presumption may be rebutted by a showing "that the sentence is unreasonable when measured against the [18 U.S.C.] § 3553(a) [(2012)] factors." United States v. Montes-Pineda, 445 F.3d 375, 379 (4th Cir. 2006) (internal quotation marks omitted).

In considering the totality of the circumstances, we conclude that Mubdi has not rebutted the presumption of reasonableness accorded to his within-Guidelines sentence. Thus, the district court did not abuse its discretion in declining to vary downward from the Sentencing Guidelines and choosing to impose a within-Guidelines sentence. See United States v. Lynn, 592 F.3d 572, 576, 578 (4th Cir. 2010) (providing standard of review); see also Gall, 552 U.S. at 46, 51.

Next, Mubdi contends that the district court erred in increasing the statutory mandatory minimum sentence on his drug convictions based on the fact of a prior conviction. As Mubdi concedes, however, this claim is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 228-35 (1998). See United States v. McDowell, 745 F.3d 115, 124 (4th Cir. 2014) (stating that "Almendarez-Torres remains good law"), petition for cert. filed, ___ U.S.L.W. ___ (June 16, 2014) (No. 13-10640).

Accordingly, we affirm the district court's amended judgment. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED.

Source:  Leagle

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