Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca5-15-41111/USCOURTS-ca5-15-41111-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Fermin Serrano-Estrada
Appellant
United States of America
Appellee

Document Text:

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 15-41111

Summary Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee

v.

FERMIN SERRANO-ESTRADA,

Defendant-Appellant

Appeal from the United States District Court

for the Southern District of Texas

USDC No. 7:15-CR-511

Before DAVIS, JONES, and GRAVES, Circuit Judges. 

PER CURIAM:*

Fermin Serrano-Estrada pleaded guilty, pursuant to a written plea 

agreement, to conspiracy to harbor aliens in the United States in violation of 8

U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I), (a)(1)(A)(iii), and (a)(1)(B)(i). The district court 

sentenced Serrano-Estrada to 27 months of imprisonment.

Serrano-Estrada contends that the district court erred in denying his 

request for a minor-role adjustment under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2(b). That section 

 

* 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.

United States Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit

FILED

April 21, 2016

Lyle W. Cayce

Clerk

 Case: 15-41111 Document: 00513475493 Page: 1 Date Filed: 04/21/2016
No. 15-41111

2

provides for a two-level reduction “[i]f the defendant was a minor participant 

in [the] criminal activity.” § 3B1.2(b). Whether Serrano-Estrada was a minor 

participant is a factual determination that is reviewed for clear error. See 

United States v. Alaniz, 726 F.3d 586, 626 (5th Cir. 2013).

The record reflects that Serrano-Estrada was recruited by “Chacon,” an 

unindicted co-conspirator from Mexico, to transport six undocumented aliens 

in exchange for $50 per alien. Serrano-Estrada, in turn, recruited co-defendant 

Leticia Rodriguez for the purposes of harboring and concealing the 

undocumented aliens at her home. It is undisputed that Serrano-Estrada 

transported the six undocumented aliens in his vehicle for the purpose of 

commercial advantage and private gain. As the driver, Serrano-Estrada’s role 

was central to the transportation of the undocumented aliens and “coextensive 

with the conduct for which he was held accountable.” United States v. Garcia, 

242 F.3d 593, 598-99 (5th Cir. 2001). The district court did not clearly err in 

rejecting Serrano-Estrada’s request for a minor-role adjustment under 

§ 3B1.2(b).

Next, Serrano-Estrada asserts that his criminal history category is “over 

represented or inadequate,” but he does not present any factual or legal basis 

for his claim. “A party that asserts an argument on appeal, but fails to 

adequately brief it, is deemed to have waived it.” United States v. Scroggins, 

599 F.3d 433, 446 (5th Cir. 2010) (citation omitted).

Finally, Serrano-Estrada challenges the district court’s imposition of the 

$100 special assessment provided by 18 U.S.C. § 3013. He argues that “this is 

unconstitutional and is based on no evidence.” Such a claim is foreclosed by 

United States v. Munoz-Flores, 495 U.S. 385, 401 (1990).

For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM.

 Case: 15-41111 Document: 00513475493 Page: 2 Date Filed: 04/21/2016