Filed: Feb. 25, 2002
Latest Update: Feb. 21, 2020
Summary: IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 01-50884 Conference Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus CHRISTIAN I. LUA-GARCIA, Defendant-Appellant. - Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. A-01-CR-139-ALL-H - February 21, 2002 Before JOLLY, JONES, and BENAVIDES, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Christian I. Lua-Garcia appeals the 46-month term of imprisonment imposed following his guilty plea conviction of b
Summary: IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 01-50884 Conference Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus CHRISTIAN I. LUA-GARCIA, Defendant-Appellant. - Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. A-01-CR-139-ALL-H - February 21, 2002 Before JOLLY, JONES, and BENAVIDES, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Christian I. Lua-Garcia appeals the 46-month term of imprisonment imposed following his guilty plea conviction of be..
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IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 01-50884
Conference Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
CHRISTIAN I. LUA-GARCIA,
Defendant-Appellant.
--------------------
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Western District of Texas
USDC No. A-01-CR-139-ALL-H
--------------------
February 21, 2002
Before JOLLY, JONES, and BENAVIDES, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Christian I. Lua-Garcia appeals the 46-month term of
imprisonment imposed following his guilty plea conviction of
being found in the United States after deportation in violation
of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. He contends that the sentence is invalid
because it exceeds the two-year maximum term of imprisonment
prescribed in 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a).
Lua-Garcia complains that his sentence was improperly
enhanced pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(2) based on his prior
deportation following an aggravated felony conviction. He argues
*
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that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent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.
No. 01-50884
-2-
that the sentencing provision violates the Due Process Clause.
Alternatively, Lua-Garcia contends that 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and
8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(2) define separate offenses. He argues that
the aggravated felony conviction that resulted in his increased
sentence was an element of the offense under 8 U.S.C.
§ 1326(b)(2) that should have been alleged in his indictment.
Lua-Garcia acknowledges that his arguments are foreclosed by the
Supreme Court’s decision in Almendarez-Torres v. United States,
523 U.S. 224 (1998), but seeks to preserve the issues for Supreme
Court review in light of the decision in Apprendi v. New Jersey,
530 U.S. 466 (2000).
Apprendi did not overrule Almendarez-Torres. See
Apprendi,
530 U.S. at 489-90; United States v. Dabeit,
231 F.3d 979, 984
(5th Cir. 2000), cert. denied,
531 U.S. 1202 (2001). Lua-
Garcia’s arguments are foreclosed. The judgment of the district
court is AFFIRMED.
The Government has moved for a summary affirmance in lieu of
filing an appellee’s brief. In its motion, the Government asks
that the judgment of the district court be affirmed and that an
appellee’s brief not be required. The motion is GRANTED.
AFFIRMED; MOTION GRANTED.