United States v. Manuel Espinoza-Infante ( 2020 )


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  • Case: 20-10601      Document: 00515608936           Page: 1     Date Filed: 10/20/2020
    United States Court of Appeals
    for the Fifth Circuit
    United States Court of Appeals
    Fifth Circuit
    FILED
    No. 20-10601                    October 20, 2020
    Summary Calendar
    Lyle W. Cayce
    Clerk
    United States of America,
    Plaintiff—Appellee,
    versus
    Manuel Espinoza-Infante,
    Defendant—Appellant.
    Appeal from the United States District Court
    for the Northern District of Texas
    USDC No. 4:20-CR-8-1
    Before Davis, Stewart, and Dennis, Circuit Judges.
    Per Curiam:*
    Manuel Espinoza-Infante appeals the 12-month sentence imposed
    after his guilty plea conviction for illegal reentry after deportation. He asserts
    that his sentence was improperly imposed pursuant to 
    8 U.S.C. § 1326
    (b)(1).
    Espinoza-Infante argues that the enhanced recidivism penalties of § 1326(b)
    *
    Pursuant to 5th Circuit Rule 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    opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited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 Circuit Rule 47.5.4.
    Case: 20-10601      Document: 00515608936           Page: 2    Date Filed: 10/20/2020
    No. 20-10601
    are elements of the offense that must be alleged in the indictment and proven
    to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt because they increase the maximum term
    of imprisonment. He correctly acknowledges that his claim is foreclosed by
    Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 
    523 U.S. 224
     (1998), but he presents 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, in the alternative, seeks an extension of time to file its brief.
    Because the sole issue raised on appeal is foreclosed, summary affirmance is
    proper. 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 an appellate brief is DENIED, and the judgment of the district court
    is AFFIRMED.
    2