Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Juan Manuel MOLINA-RODRIGUEZ, Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2003-12-09
Citations: 83 F. App'x 18
Docket Number: No. 03-10565
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Juan Manuel MOLINA-RODRIGUEZ, Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 83
Pages: 18–19

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Juan Manuel MOLINA-RODRIGUEZ, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 03-10565.
Conference Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Dec. 9, 2003.
Susan B. Cowger, US Attorney’s Office, Dallas, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Robert Jackson Herrington, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Kevin Blake Ross, Federal Public Defender’s Office, Dallas, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.
Before DAVIS, EMILIO M. GARZA, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Juan Manuel Molina-Rodriguez appeals the sentence imposed following his guilty-plea conviction of being found in the United States after deportation in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. He argues that his prior Texas felony conviction for indecency with a child was not a "crime of violence" warranting the 16-level increase under United States Sentencing Guidelines § 2L1.2 and that the "aggravated felony" provision of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(2) is unconstitutional. He states that the former issue is raised for the purpose of seeking en bane review and that both issues are raised on appeal to preserve Supreme Court review.
The Sentencing Guidelines provide for a 16-level increase when the defendant has a prior felony conviction for a "crime of violence." U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(l)(A)(ii) (Nov. 2002). A crime of violence is defined to include "sexual abuse of a minor." Id. at comment, n. l(B)(ii)(II). The Texas crime of indecency with a child, see Tex. Penal Code § 21.11, constitutes "sexual abuse of a minor." United States v. Zavala-Sus-taita, 214 F.3d 601, 607 (5th Cir.2000); United States v. Rayo-Valdez, 302 F.3d 314, 316 (5th Cir.2002). Molina's 16-level increase was warranted by his prior conviction for indecency with a child.
A panel of this court cannot overrule a prior panel's decision in the absence of an intervening contrary or superseding decision by this court sitting en banc or by the United States Supreme Court. Burge v. Parish of St. Tammany, 187 F.3d 452, 466 (5th Cir.1999). No decision overruling Rayo-Valdez exists, and, to the extent Molina is requesting initial en banc review of this issue, his request is DENIED. See Fed. R.App. P. 35(c); 5th Cir. R. 35.2; Point Landing, Inc. v. Omni Capital Int'l, Ltd., 795 F.2d 415, 419 (5th Cir.1986) (en banc).
In Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 235, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998), the Supreme Court held that the enhanced penalties in 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b) are sentencing provisions, not elements of separate offenses. The Court further held that the sentencing provisions do not violate the Due Process Clause. Id. at 239-47, 118 S.Ct. 1219. Molina acknowledges that his argument is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 235, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998), but asserts that Supreme Court cases decided after Almendarez-Torres, including Jones v. United States, 526 U.S. 227, 119 S.Ct. 1215, 143 L.Ed.2d 311 (1999), Castillo v. United States, 530 U.S. 120, 120 S.Ct. 2090, 147 L.Ed.2d 94 (2000), Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), Harris v. United States, 536 U.S. 545, 122 S.Ct. 2406, 153 L.Ed.2d 524 (2002), and Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584, 122 S.Ct. 2428, 153 L.Ed.2d 556 (2002), raise a question about the validity of Almendarez-Torres.
This court must follow Almendarez-Tor-res "unless and until the Supreme Court itself determines to overrule it." United States v. Dabeit, 231 F.3d 979, 984 (5th Cir.2000). The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED. The Government's motion seeking summary affirmance, dismissal of the appeal, or an extension of time to file a brief on the merits is DENIED.
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.