Case ID: f-appx_90/html/0079-02.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. Maria Oralia LOZANO-TAMEZ, Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 03-41170.
    Summary Calendar.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
    March 23, 2004.
    
      James Lee Turner, Renata Ann Gowie, Assistant US Attorney, US Attorney’s Office, Houston, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
    Roland E Dahlin, II, Federal Public Defender, Yvonne Sanchez, Aurora Ruth Bearse, Federal Public Defender’s Office, Houston, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.
    Before SMITH, DEMOSS, and STEWART, Circuit Judge.
   PER CURIAM.

Maria Oralia Lozano-Tamez (Tamez) pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of black tar heroin in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B). She argues that the district court erred when it denied a mitigating role reduction and that 21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 952 and 960 are facially unconstitutional in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000). Tamez concedes that her second argument is foreclosed but nevertheless raises the issue to preserve it for possible further review.

Contrary to her argument on appeal, Tamez’s role in the offense was more than that of a mere courier. Tamez packaged and transported the heroin from Mexico, met with the confidential source once before another meeting with the confidential source and the undercover prospective buyer, stayed overnight with the drugs, and informed the undercover agent that she could deliver additional amounts of heroin. Considering her role in the offense, it cannot be said that Tamez was “peripheral to the advancement” of the illicit heroin activity. See United States v. Miranda, 248 F.3d 434, 446-47 (5th Cir.2001). The district court did not clearly err in determining that Tamez was not entitled to a minor role reduction pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2(b). See United States v. Zuniga, 18 F.3d 1254, 1261 (5th Cir.1994).

Tamez’s argument regarding the constitutionality of the statutes of conviction is foreclosed by this court’s decision in United States v. Slaughter, 238 F.3d 580, 582 (5th Cir.2000). The judgment of the district court is therefore 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       Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.