Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Alfredo ESCOBAR-GAETA, Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2006-03-27
Citations: 172 F. App'x 570
Docket Number: No. 04-51365
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Alfredo ESCOBAR-GAETA, Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: Before HIGGINBOTHAM, BENAVIDES, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 172
Pages: 570–571

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Alfredo ESCOBAR-GAETA, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 04-51365.
Summary Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Decided March 27, 2006.
Joseph H. Gay, Jr., Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Texas, San Antonio, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Ray Ray Velarde, El Paso, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.
Before HIGGINBOTHAM, BENAVIDES, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Having pleaded guilty, Alfredo Eseobar-Gaeta appeals his concurrent sentences for conspiracy to import more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, importation of more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, and possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. Escobar-Gaeta argues that the sentences vio late United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005). We conclude that Escobar-Gaeta's objections to his sentence in the district court preserved his arguments for appellate review. United States v. Olis, 429 F.3d 540, 544 (5th Cir.2005); United States v. Akpan, 407 F.3d 360, 375-76 (5th Cir.2005). When reviewing a Booker claim that has been preserved, we will ordinarily vacate and remand unless the Government can show beyond a reasonable doubt that the error was harmless. See United States v. Pineiro, 410 F.3d 282, 285 (5th Cir.2005).
The imposition of a sentence based on facts exceeding those stipulated by Escobar-Gaeta when he pleaded guilty was erroneous. Id. The Government's brief does not address the issue of harmless error, and our review of the record reveals nothing to suggest that the Booker error did not influence the district court's selection of a sentence. See id. Accordingly, Escobar-Gaeta's sentences are VACATED and this matter is REMANDED for resentencing.
Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.