Case ID: f-appx_470/html/0568-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Hector GOMEZ, Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 10-50548.
    United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
    Submitted Feb. 21, 2012.
    
    Filed March 1, 2012.
    Sean Coyle, Office of the U.S. Attorney, San Diego, CA, Bruce R. Castetter, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Office of the U.S. Attorney, San Diego, CA, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
    Geo Western Regional Detention Facility, San Diego, CA, Jennifer Lynn Coon, Law Office of Jennifer L. Coon, San Diego, CA, for Defendant-Appellant.
    Hector Gomez, pro se.
    Before: FERNANDEZ, McKEOWN, and BYBEE, Circuit Judges.
    
      
       The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).
    
   MEMORANDUM

Hector Gomez appeals from the 60-month sentence imposed following his guilty-plea conviction for transportation of illegal aliens, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(l)(A)(ii). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.

Gomez contends that the district court improperly imposed a sentencing enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2Ll.l(b)(6) because there was inadequate evidence that he intentionally or recklessly created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. The record reflects that Gomez fled border patrol agents at a high rate of speed, nearly side-swiped a border patrol vehicle, and crashed on the premises of a junior high school, resulting in serious bodily injury to the passenger of his vehicle. Accordingly, the district court did not abuse its discretion by imposing the enhancement. See United States v. Mix, 457 F.3d 906, 911 (9th Cir.2006).

Gomez also contends that the district court improperly imposed a four-level sentencing enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2Ll.l(b)(7) for causing serious bodily injury because there was inadequate evidence that his actions proximately caused the passenger’s injuries. There was sufficient evidence in the record for the district court to conclude that Gomez was the cause of the passenger’s injuries. Accordingly, the district court did not abuse its discretion by imposing the serious bodily injury enhancement. See United States v. Mix, 457 F.3d 906, 911 (9th Cir.2006).

AFFIRMED. 
      
       This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.