United States v. Jorge Jamaica-Hernandez ( 2020 )


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  • Case: 20-50182        Document: 00515531070             Page: 1      Date Filed: 08/18/2020
    United States Court of Appeals
    for the Fifth Circuit                                           United States Court of Appeals
    Fifth Circuit
    FILED
    August 18, 2020
    No. 20-50182                                    Lyle W. Cayce
    Summary Calendar                                       Clerk
    United States of America,
    Plaintiff—Appellee,
    versus
    Jorge Armando Jamaica-Hernandez,
    Defendant—Appellant.
    Appeal from the United States District Court
    for the Western District of Texas
    USDC No. 2:19-CR-1830-1
    Before Jolly, Elrod, and Graves, Circuit Judges.
    Per Curiam:*
    Jorge Armando Jamaica-Hernandez appeals the within-guidelines, 37-
    month sentence imposed following his guilty plea conviction for illegally
    reentering the United States after removal, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326.
    He argues that his sentence was imposed under an unconstitutional
    *
    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    not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in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: 20-50182      Document: 00515531070          Page: 2     Date Filed: 08/18/2020
    No. 20-50182
    sentencing provision because § 1326(b) permits a defendant’s sentence to be
    enhanced even if the fact of a prior conviction is not alleged in the indictment
    and proved beyond a reasonable doubt. He correctly concedes that his claim
    is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 
    523 U.S. 224
    (1998), but
    he raises the issue to preserve it for further possible review. See United States
    v. Wallace, 
    759 F.3d 486
    , 497 (5th Cir. 2014); United States v. Pineda-
    Arrellano, 
    492 F.3d 624
    , 625-26 (5th Cir. 2007).
    The Government has filed an unopposed motion for summary
    affirmance and, alternatively, seeks an extension of time to file its brief.
    Because the issue is foreclosed, summary affirmance is appropriate. See
    Groendyke Transp., Inc. v. Davis, 
    406 F.2d 1158
    , 1162 (5th Cir. 1969).
    Accordingly, the Government’s motion for summary affirmance is
    GRANTED, the Government’s alternative motion for an extension of time
    to file a brief is DENIED, and the judgment of the district court is
    AFFIRMED.
    2