Source: http://openjurist.org/117/f3d/826/united-states-v-reyna-espinosa
Timestamp: 2015-09-01 20:25:50
Document Index: 499529523

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 922', '§ 2', '§ 922', '§ 2', '§ 922', '§ 1326', '§ 922', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 1101', '§ 922']

117 F3d 826 United States v. Reyna-Espinosa | OpenJurist
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117 F3d 826 United States v. Reyna-Espinosa 117 F.3d 826
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee,v.Reymundo REYNA-ESPINOSA, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 96-40499.
Roland E. Dahlin, II, Federal Public Defender, Thomas S. Berg, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Mari A. Aponte, Federal Public Defender's Office, Houston, TX, for defendant-appellant.
The question before us is whether a conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5) constitutes an "aggravated felony" for purposes of increasing the defendant's offense level by 16 levels pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(2). This issue is one of first impression for all circuits.
We hold that a conviction under § 922(g)(5) is not an aggravated felony under § 2L1.2(b)(2); accordingly, we reverse the district court and remand for resentencing.
Reyna-Espinosa was arrested in November 1994 while attempting to transport a firearm into Mexico. Although handcuffed, the appellant managed to grab a United States Customs Service shotgun and then attempted to carjack a government vehicle. Reyna-Espinosa pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in unlawful possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5). The appellant was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of twelve months and one day, to be followed by a three-year term of supervision. In October 1995, the appellant was deported to Mexico.
In January 1996, Reyna-Espinosa was arrested by the Border Patrol when found walking along U.S. Highway 83 in Rio Grand City. The appellant was indicted for being found in the United States unlawfully after arrest and deportation, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and (b)(2).1 Reyna-Espinosa pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement which provided that the government would recommend a two-level adjustment for acceptance of responsibility and a sentence at the low end of the applicable guideline range.
The Presentence Investigation Report ("PSR") recommended that the appellant's prior conviction for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5) be considered an aggravated felony. Accordingly, the PSR increased Reyna-Espinosa's base offense level of 8 by 16 levels pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(2). The PSR also recommended a three-level decrease for acceptance of responsibility. Based on a total offense level of 21 and a criminal history category of III, the applicable sentencing range was calculated at 46 to 57 months.
Reyna-Espinosa objected to the 16-level enhancement, arguing that the prior firearm conviction was not an aggravated felony under the Guidelines. Reyna-Espinosa argued that the upward adjustment should be four levels, not 16; thus, his sentencing range should be 10 to 16 months.
In an addendum to the PSR, the probation department responded that Application note 7 of the Commentary to § 2L1.2 specifically refers to 18 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43), which expressly defines a violation of § 922(g)(5) as an aggravated felony under the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA").