Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-01174/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-01174-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 510
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Vacate Sentence
Cause of Action: 28:2255 Motion to Vacate / Correct Illegal Sentence

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Flla.ED 

[ A~R18 Z013 ] 

CLERK, U.S. DISTRICT COURT 

SO DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

BY DEPUTY 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

) 

LUIS ANTONIO FLORES-OLIVERA, ) 

Petitioner, 	 !rcZNo. ] 1-503iQD 

No. 12-1174GT 

v. 	 ) 

) ORDER 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ) 

) 

Respondent. ) 

------------------------------------) 

On May 9, 2012, Petitioner, Luis Antonio Flores-Olivera ("Mr. Flores"), filed a Motion to 

ModifY Sentence, presumably pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Mr. Flores requests a two level 

downward departure based on his status as a deportable alien, which Mr. Flores asserts "should 

have been considered as a mitigating factor" at his sentencing. The Court has fully considered this 

matter, including a review ofMr. Flores brief filed, the authorities cited therein and the arguments 

presented. For the reasons stated below, Mr. Flores Motion to ModifY Sentence is DENIED. 

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Case 3:12-cv-01174-GT Document 2 Filed 04/18/13 Page 1 of 3
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First, Mr. Flores pled guilty, pursuant to a written plea agreement, to one count of Deported 

Alien Found in the United States, in violation of8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and (b). In the written plea 

agreement, Mr. Flores explicitly waived his right to appeal and/or collaterally attack his conviction 

or sentence. The Ninth Circuit has long acknowledged that the terms of a plea agreement are 

enforceable. See, United States v. Baramdyk!:!, 95 F.3d 840,843 (9th Cir. 1996), cert. denied, 117 

S.Ct. 1282 (1997). Since Mr. Flores expressly waived his statutory right to appeal or collaterally 

attack his sentence in his plea agreement, Mr. Flores is now precluded from challenging that 

sentence pursuantto 28 U.S.C. § 2255. See, United Statesv. Abarca, 985 F.2d 1012, 1014 (9th Cir. 

1993) (holding that a knowing and voluntary waiver of a statutory right is enforceable). 

Moreover, even if Mr. Flores had not expressly waived his right to appeal or collaterally 

attack his sentence, his petition would still fail. In essence, Mr. Flores argues that because ofhis 

status as a deportable alien, he is "ineligible[] for pre-release custody and minimum security 

confinement." Mr. Flores argues that the Court should grant him a two level downward departure 

because of his status. However, Mr. Flores argument that the Court should depart downward 

because he is a deportable alien is precluded by statute and current Ninth Circuit case law. By 

statute, the Court may depart downward only ifthere are "aggravating or mitigating circumstances 

... not adequately taken into consideration by the Sentencing Commission." 18 U.S.C. § 3553(b). 

Specifically, the Ninth Circuit has held that the threat ofdeportation is not a factor that the district 

court may consider for sentencing purposes. United States v. Alvarez-Cardenas, 902 F.2d 734, 737 

(9th Cir. 1990).1 Accordingly, 

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1 The Ninth Circuit decided, in an unpublished opinion, that the defendant, like Limon, was not 

entitled to a six month reduction in his sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(b) because as a 

deportable alien he is not eligible to spend the last six months ofhis sentence in a halfway 

house pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3624(c). See United States v. Zepeda-Valles, 87 F.3d 1325 (9th 

Cir. 1996). 

2 IICRS033 

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IT IS ORDERED that Mr. Flores" Motion to Modify Sentence is DENIED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

~~~d-: GORDON THOMPSON, JR. ~. United States District Judge 

cc: AUSA Bruce Castetter Petitioner 

3 IICR5033 

Case 3:12-cv-01174-GT Document 2 Filed 04/18/13 Page 3 of 3