United States v. Hernandez-Castanon ( 2000 )

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 00-50321
Summary Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
LUIS HERNANDEZ-CASTANON,
Defendant-Appellant.
_________________________________________
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Western District of Texas
USDC No. EP-99-CR-1653-1-DB
_________________________________________
December 1, 2000
Before POLITZ, JOLLY, and EMILIO M. GARZA, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Luis Hernandez-Castanon appeals the sentence imposed following his guilty plea
to a charge of violating 8 U.S.C. § 1326. His motion for leave to supplement the record
is GRANTED.
Hernandez-Castanon asserts that the district court did not verify, under Fed. R.
Crim. P. 32(c)(3)(A), a reading of the presentence report and its discussion with
*
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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be
published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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.
counsel. He further asserts that compliance with Rule 32(c)(3)(A) cannot be inferred
from the record, and that we should not apply a harmless error analysis. He contends
that a remand is required.
Hernandez-Castanon objected to the PSR and moved for a downward departure.
The district court discussed these issues at sentencing. He did not raise the issue of the
Rule 32(c)(3)(A) omission in the district court. He does not claim that he did not read
the PSR or discuss it with his attorney. Accordingly, we review for plain error only.1
Under Fed. R. Crim. P. 52(b), we may act on forfeited errors only when the
appellant shows a clear and obvious error affecting substantial rights.2 If such be
shown, the decision to correct the forfeited error is within our sound discretion. We
will decline to exercise that discretion unless the error seriously affects the fairness,
integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings.3
Because Hernandez-Castanon does not allege that he did not read the PSR and
did not discuss it with his attorney, he does not allege prejudice. Accordingly, no plain
error has been established.
Hernandez-Castanon challenges his sentence as a violation of due process, citing
Apprendi v. New Jersey.4 He contends that the indictment did not allege the prior
aggravated felony that was used to increase his punishment and that 8 U.S.C.
1
United States v. Vasquez, 216 F.3d 456 (5th Cir. 2000), petition for cert. filed, ___
U.S.L.W. ___ (U.S. Sept. 25, 2000) (No. 00-6282).
2
United States v. Calverley, 37 F.3d 160 (5th Cir. 1994) (en banc) (citing United States v.
Olano, 507 U.S. 725 (1993)).
3
Olano, 507 U.S. at 736.
4
120 S. Ct. 2348, 2362-63 (2000)
2
§ 1326(b)(2) is an unconstitutional sentencing enhancement. He acknowledges that his
position is foreclosed by the holding in Almendarez-Torres v. United States;5 however,
he wishes to preserve the issue for further review.
The Apprendi Court did not overrule Almendarez-Torres.6 Accordingly,
Hernandez-Castanon’s sentence is AFFIRMED.
5
523 U.S. 224, 235 (1998)
6
120 S. Ct. at 2362-63; United States v. Doggett, ___ F.3d ___, 2000 WL 1481160 *5 (5
Cir. Oct. 6, 2000) (stating that the Supreme Court in Apprendi did not overrule its decision in
Almendarez-Torres).
3