Case ID: f-appx_599/html/0160-01.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. Bulmaro Padron MARTINEZ, also known as Chapparo, also known as Gumaro, Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 14-40164
    Summary Calendar.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
    April 2, 2015.
    Renata Ann Gowie, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Houston, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
    Derly Joel Uribe, Law Offices of Francisco J. Saldana, Jr., Laredo, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.
    Before STEWART, Chief Judge, and ELROD and HIGGINSON, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM:

Bulmaro Padrón Martinez pleaded guilty pursuant to a written plea agreement to one count of conspiring to transport illegal aliens for profit in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324. The district court sentenced him to 51 months in prison, which was at the top of his advisory guidelines range. He now appeals his sentence.

We review for plain error Martinez’s claim that the Government breached the plea agreement by violating its promise not to oppose his request to be held accountable for not more than 24 aliens. See Puckett v. United States, 556 U.S. 129, 135, 129 S.Ct. 1423, 173 L.Ed.2d 266 (2009). To show plain error, Martinez must show a forfeited error that is clear or obvious and that affects his substantial rights. See id. If he makes such a showing, we have the discretion to correct the error but only if it seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. See id.

Although the plea agreement included a waiver of Martinez’s right to appeal his sentence, an appeal waiver is unenforceable if the Government breaches a plea agreement. United States v. Gonzalez, 309 F.3d 882, 886 (5th Cir.2002). The Government did not breach the plea agreement in this case. In fact, the Government specifically stated that it was honoring the agreement by advocating for the 24-alien count. Furthermore, the Government’s statement that the district court was not bound by the promise in the plea agreement did not constitute a breach of the agreement. See United States v. Ben- chimol, 471 U.S. 453, 455-56, 105 S.Ct. 2103, 85 L.Ed.2d 462 (1985); Fed. R.CRIM.P. ll(b)(l)(M). Because the Government did not breach the plea agreement, the valid appeal waiver bars this appeal. See United States v. Purser, 747 F.3d 284, 294-95 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 135 S.Ct. 403, 190 L.Ed.2d 293 (2014). Accordingly, the appeal is DISMISSED. 
      
       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.