Case ID: f-appx_104/html/0436-01.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. Prisciliano JIMENEZ-CID, also known as Romeo Garza, Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 04-40022.
    Conference Calendar.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
    Decided Aug. 17, 2004.
    James Lee Turner, Renata Ann Gowie, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Houston, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
    Roland E Dahlin, II, Federal Public Defender, Norman E. Mclnnis, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Sarny K. Khalil, Houston, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.
    Before HIGGINBOTHAM, DAVIS, and PICKERING, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM:

Prisciliano Jimenez-Cid (Jimenez) appeals his conviction and sentence following his guilty plea to importing over 50 but less than 100 kilograms of marijuana. Jimenez argues that the district court clearly erred when it denied him a four-level adjustment as a minimal participant, or alternatively, a two-level adjustment as a minor participant under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2(b). Jimenez argues that he was entitled to an adjustment because he was a mere courier and because he was substantially less culpable than “Juan,” the other participant in the offense.

The district court did not clearly err when it denied Jimenez an adjustment under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2(b) inasmuch as his role as a courier does not automatically entitle him to the adjustment. See Burton v. United States, 237 F.3d 490, 500 (5th Cir.2000); United States v. Rojas, 868 F.2d 1409, 1410 (5th Cir.1989). Jimenez’s culpability is established by the large amount of marijuana he imported. See United States v. Leal-Mendoza, 281 F.3d 473, 477 (5th Cir.2002); Rojas, 868 F.2d at 1409; and United States v. Gallegos, 868 F.2d 711, 713 (5th Cir.1989). Moreover, Jimenez was more than peripherally involved in the offense inasmuch as he left the country to drive the loaded vehicle across the Mexican border. See United States v. Miranda, 248 F.3d 434, 446-47 (5th Cir.2001). Jimenez fails to show that his status as a courier makes him less culpable than “Juan.” See United States v. Brown, 54 F.3d 234, 241 (5th Cir.1995).

Jimenez’s argument that the Government breached the plea agreement when it failed to recommend at Jimenez’s sentencing proceeding that Jimenez be sentenced at the low end of the applicable guidelines range is foreclosed by this court’s decision in United States v. Reeves, 255 F.3d 208, 210 (5th Cir.2001).

Likewise, Jimenez’s argument that 21 U.S.C. §§ 952 and 960(a) and (b) are facially unconstitutional under Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), is foreclosed by United States v. Slaughter, 238 F.3d 580 (5th Cir.2000).

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.