United States v. Kashus Davis ( 2020 )


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  •           USCA11 Case: 20-10896      Date Filed: 10/30/2020   Page: 1 of 2
    [DO NOT PUBLISH]
    IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
    FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
    ________________________
    No. 20-10896
    Non-Argument Calendar
    ________________________
    D.C. Docket No. 9:19-cr-80161-RKA-1
    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
    Plaintiff-Appellee,
    versus
    KASHUS DAVIS,
    Defendant-Appellant.
    ________________________
    Appeal from the United States District Court
    for the Southern District of Florida
    ________________________
    (October 30, 2020)
    Before NEWSOM, ANDERSON, and ED CARNES, Circuit Judges.
    PER CURIAM:
    Kashus Davis pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. See
    18 U.S.C. § 922(g). He appeals his sentence, contending that the district court
    erroneously ruled that he qualified for a sentence enhancement under the Armed
    USCA11 Case: 20-10896       Date Filed: 10/30/2020   Page: 2 of 2
    Career Criminal Act (ACCA), 18 U.S.C. § 924(e). Davis argues that his prior
    convictions under Florida Statutes § 893.13(1) are not predicate “serious drug
    offense[s]” for purposes of the ACCA because the Florida statute “does not require
    an element of mens rea regarding the illicit nature of the controlled substance.”
    Prior panel precedent forecloses Davis’ argument. We held in Smith that
    Florida Statutes § 893.13(1) is a “serious drug offense” for purposes of the ACCA.
    United States v. Smith, 
    775 F.3d 1262
    , 1268 (11th Cir. 2014). We also held that a
    “serious drug offense” need not include an element of mens rea regarding the illicit
    nature of the controlled substance.
    Id. at 1267–68.
    We remain bound by Smith unless and until it is overruled by either the
    Supreme Court or us en banc. See Smith v. GTE Corp., 
    236 F.3d 1292
    , 1300 n.8
    (11th Cir. 2001). Because that has not happened, we affirm Davis’ sentence.
    AFFIRMED.
    2
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 20-10896

Filed Date: 10/30/2020

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 10/30/2020