Case ID: f-appx_35/html/0697-01.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. Ramon GUTIERREZ-ELENES, Jr., Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 01-50382.
    D.C. No. CR-00-02970-NAJ.
    United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
    Submitted May 13, 2002 .
    Decided May 29, 2002.
    Before FERNANDEZ, WARDLAW and W. FLETCHER, Circuit Judges.
    
      
       The panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).
    
   MEMORANDUM

Ramon Gutierrez-Elenes, Jr., appeals his guilty-plea conviction and 24r-month sentence for importation of marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 952, 960. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm in part, dismiss in part.

Gutierrez-Elenes first contends the district court erred by denying his request for downward departure based upon a combination of factors involving unusual family circumstances. Specifically, Gutierrez-Elenes argues it is unclear from the silent record whether the district court recognized that it had the authority to depart. The district court has no obligation to affirmatively state that it has authority to depart when it sentences within the guideline range instead of departing. United States v. Garciar-Garcia, 927 F.2d 489, 491 (9th Cir.1991) (per curiam). Failure to depart, when the record is silent on the issue of authority and the sentence imposed is within the applicable guideline range, is lawful and cannot be appealed on that basis. Id.

Gutierrez-Elenes next contends that under Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), 21 U.S.C. § 960 is unconstitutional. This argument is precluded by United States v. Mendoza-Paz, 286 F.3d 1104, 1110 (9th Cir.2002).

Alternatively, Gutierrez-Elenes argues that if section 960 is constitutional under Apprendi, then his conviction should still be reversed for the district court’s failure to advise him that knowledge of the type and amount of a controlled substance imported are elements of the offense. This argument is precluded by our recent decision in United States v. Carranza, 289 F.3d 634, 643 (9th Cir.2002).

AFFIRMED in part; DISMISSED in part. 
      
       This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as may be provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.