Case ID: f-appx_307/html/0825-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM: \n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Edgar CASTILLO-SALAZAR, Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 08-50453
    Summary Calendar.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
    Jan. 21, 2009.
    Joseph H. Gay, J.R., Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Texas, San Antonio, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
    Federal Public Defender’s Office, Western District of Texas, San Antonio, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.
    Before KING, DENNIS, and OWEN, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM:

Edgar Castillo-Salazar was convicted of one charge of importing marijuana into the United States and one charge of possessing marijuana with intent to distribute. The district court sentenced him to serve 18 months in prison. Castillo-Salazar now appeals his sentence. He argues that the district court erred by rejecting his argument that he was a minor participant in the offense of conviction and by denying him a reduction to his offense level for his participation in the offense. He contends that he should have received the disputed adjustment because he was a mere courier and because he was less culpable than the man who recruited him. He also argues that the reasons given by the district court for denying the requested adjustment were improper.

When reviewing a sentence, we typically consider whether the district court committed a significant procedural error at sentencing and whether the sentence imposed is substantively reasonable. See Gall v. United States, — U.S. -, 128 S.Ct. 586, 594, 169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007); see also United States v. Cisneros-Gutierrez, 517 F.3d 751, 764 (5th Cir.2008). The district court’s interpretation and application of the Guidelines are reviewed de novo, and its findings of fact are reviewed for clear error. See Cisneros-Gutierrez, 517 F.3d at 764.

Castillo-Salazar has not shown that the district court clearly erred by imposing the disputed adjustment. See United States v. Villanueva, 408 F.3d 193, 203 (5th Cir.2005). Castillo-Salazar was not entitled to the minor participant adjustment simply because his role in the offense was limited to transporting drugs. See United States v. Edwards, 65 F.3d 430, 434 (5th Cir.1995); United States v. Pofahl, 990 F.2d 1456, 1485 (5th Cir.1993). Rather, such a role is “an indispensable part” of drug related offenses. See United States v. Buenrostro, 868 F.2d 135, 138 (5th Cir.1989). The district court’s determination concerning Castillo-Salazar’s role in the offense is plausible in light of the entire record and thus is not clearly erroneous. See Villanueva, 408 F.3d at 203. Castillo-Salazar’s arguments to the contrary are unavailing.

Castillo-Salazar’s argument that the district court gave improper reasons for denying the requested adjustment likewise lacks merit. The reasons given by the district court for denying the adjustment pertain to the nature and circumstances of the offense as well as Castillo-Salazar’s own history and characteristics. These reasons thus provide a proper foundation for the district court’s sentencing decision. See United States v. Mares, 402 F.3d 511, 518-19 (5th Cir.2005); 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).

Castillo-Salazar has shown no error in connection with his sentence. Consequently, the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED. 
      
       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.