United States v. Omar Morin , 477 F. App'x 280 ( 2012 )


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  •      Case: 11-41086     Document: 00511936562         Page: 1     Date Filed: 07/27/2012
    IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
    FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT  United States Court of Appeals
    Fifth Circuit
    FILED
    July 27, 2012
    No. 11-41086
    Summary Calendar                        Lyle W. Cayce
    Clerk
    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
    Plaintiff-Appellee
    v.
    OMAR MORIN,
    Defendant-Appellant
    Appeal from the United States District Court
    for the Southern District of Texas
    USDC No. 7:11-CR-938-1
    Before GARZA, SOUTHWICK, and HAYNES, Circuit Judges.
    PER CURIAM:*
    Omar Morin appeals the below-Guidelines $1,000 fine imposed as part of
    his sentence for transporting an illegal alien for private financial gain. We
    AFFIRM.
    The fine must be paid in $50 monthly installments beginning 60 days after
    his release from prison. According to Morin, the Government failed to show that
    he has the ability to pay a fine. The district court implicitly found that, while
    Morin has no present ability to pay, he has the future earning capacity to satisfy
    *
    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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not
    be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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.
    Case: 11-41086   Document: 00511936562      Page: 2   Date Filed: 07/27/2012
    No. 11-41086
    the fine. Defense counsel admitted that there is no reason why Morin cannot
    work, and the presentence report (PSR) described him as a 21-year-old United
    States citizen who lives with his parents and has no physical impediments,
    health problems, substance abuse issues, or dependents. The finding on Morin’s
    ability to pay is plausible in light of the record as a whole and is not clearly
    erroneous. See United States v. Rodriguez, 
    15 F.3d 408
    , 414 (5th Cir. 1994);
    United States v. Rogers, 
    1 F.3d 341
    , 342 (5th Cir. 1993).
    Next Morin contends that the district court incorrectly assumed that he
    would become able to pay the fine so long as he was motivated to get a job. The
    burden was on Morin to prove his inability to pay, and he made “no showing that
    [he would] be unemployable after his prison term.” United States v. Matovsky,
    
    935 F.2d 719
    , 723 (5th Cir. 1991).
    Morin also contends that the district court failed to make required findings
    on his ability to pay. However, because the PSR did not recommend against
    imposing a fine, the district court was not required to make express findings on
    Morin’s ability to pay. See United States v. Voda, 
    994 F.2d 149
    , 155 n.14 (5th
    Cir. 1993); Matovsky, 
    935 F.2d at 722
    . Morin fails to show error, plain or
    otherwise.
    According to Morin, the district court relied on improper factors to
    determine the amount of the fine, including the court’s perception that he
    needed a shock or an incentive to get a job because it was time for him to grow
    up. The district court clearly indicated that the purpose of the sentence,
    including the fine, was to deter Morin from committing future crimes. The need
    for deterrence was a proper consideration in determining the amount of the fine.
    See 
    18 U.S.C. § 3572
    (a); 
    18 U.S.C. § 3553
    (a)(2)(B); U.S.S.G. § 5E1.2(d)(1). While
    the district court discussed its opinion that Morin needed to get a job and “grow
    up,” it was in the context of encouraging him to avoid trouble in the future.
    Morin also notes that he has no prior convictions and contends the $1,000
    fine was not required to punish him, deter him, or promote respect for the law.
    2
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    No. 11-41086
    The district court considered Morin’s history and characteristics and the need
    for deterrence. Morin’s disagreement with the district court’s weighing of the
    sentencing factors does not show that the court committed error, plain or
    otherwise, in imposing the below-guidelines sentence. See Gall v. United States,
    
    552 U.S. 38
    , 51 (2007); United States v. Hernandez, 
    633 F.3d 370
    , 375-76 (5th
    Cir.), cert. denied, 
    131 S. Ct. 3006
     (2011).
    Citing a Tenth Circuit case, Morin further contends that the district court
    was required to indicate that it considered all of the relevant factors prior to
    imposing the fine. We do not require such an indication on the record. See
    Matovsky, 
    935 F.2d at 722
    . Morin also cites § 5E1.2(d)(3) for the proposition that
    “the district court should have considered alternative punishments” because of
    his family’s “dire economic situation.” Section 5E1.2(d)(3) states that the court
    “shall consider . . . the burden that the fine places on the defendant and his
    dependents relative to alternative punishments.” Morin has no dependents, and
    the district court expressly found that the burden on him would not be too great.
    He also contends that the district court improperly considered his employment
    history in imposing the fine, citing U.S.S.G. § 5H1.5 (p.s.). The policy statement
    provides that an employment record “is not ordinarily relevant in determining
    whether a departure is warranted.” § 5H1.5 (p.s.). By its own wording, it does
    not apply here because Morin’s fine was not the result of a departure. See id.
    We find no plain error. See Puckett v. United States, 
    556 U.S. 129
    , 135 (2009).
    Finally, for the first time in his reply brief, Morin asserts that his sentence
    is procedurally unreasonable because the district court imposed the fine at the
    end of the sentencing hearing without first asking the parties for their positions.
    We will not consider issues raised for the first time in a reply brief. United
    States v. Jackson, 
    50 F.3d 1335
    , 1340 n.7 (5th Cir. 1995).
    The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.
    3