United States v. Garcia-Pena , 72 F. App'x 211 ( 2003 )

United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
F I L E D
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT August 20, 2003
Charles R. Fulbruge III
Clerk
No. 03-50011
Conference Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
BENJAMIN GARCIA-PENA, also known as
Joel Gonzales, also known as Manuel
Hernandez, also known as Benjamin Pena,
also known as Alfonso Lopez, also known
as Manuel Perez, also known as Benjamin
Reyes, also known as Luis Hernandez,
Defendant-Appellant.
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Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Western District of Texas
USDC No. A-02-CR-249-ALL-SS
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Before JONES, WIENER, and BENAVIDES, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Benjamin Garcia-Pena appeals the sentence imposed following
his guilty plea conviction of being found in the United States
after deportation/removal in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326.
Garcia-Pena contends that 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and 8 U.S.C.
§ 1326(b) define separate offenses. He argues that the prior
*
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that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent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. 03-50011
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conviction that resulted in his increased sentence is an element
of a separate offense under 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b) that should have
been alleged in his indictment. Garcia-Pena maintains that he
pleaded guilty to an indictment which charged only simple reentry
under 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a). He argues that his sentence exceeds
the two-year maximum term of imprisonment which may be imposed
for that offense.
In Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 235
(1998), the Supreme Court held that the enhanced penalties in
8 U.S.C. § 1326(b) are sentencing provisions, not elements of
separate offenses. The Court further held that the sentencing
provisions do not violate the Due Process Clause. Id. at 239-47.
Garcia-Pena acknowledges that his argument is foreclosed by
Almendarez-Torres, but asserts that the decision has been cast
into doubt by Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 490 (2000).
He seeks to preserve his argument for further review.
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). This court must follow Almendarez-Torres
“unless and until the Supreme Court itself determines to overrule
it.” Dabeit, 231 F.3d at 984 (internal quotation marks and
citation omitted). The judgment of the district court is
AFFIRMED.
No. 03-50011
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The Government has moved for a summary affirmance in lieu of
filing an appellee’s brief. In its motion, the Government asks
that an appellee’s brief not be required. The motion is GRANTED.
AFFIRMED; MOTION GRANTED.