Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Ronald Jay CLIFTON, Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2004-04-21
Citations: 95 F. App'x 559
Docket Number: No. 02-51205
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Ronald Jay CLIFTON, Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 95
Pages: 559–560

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Ronald Jay CLIFTON, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 02-51205.
Conference Calendar
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
April 21, 2004.
Diane D. Kirstein, Joseph H. Gay, Jr, Assistant US Attorney, San Antonio, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Floyd D. Holder, Jr., Law Firm of Floyd Holder, Lubbock, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.
Before JOLLY, JONES, and SMITH, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Ronald Jay Clifton pleaded guilty to counts one and two of an information charging him with conspiracy to commit fraud and securities fraud. Clifton has appealed, raising issues related to the district court's upward departure from the guideline imprisonment range. In his plea agreement, Clifton waived the right to raise these issues on appeal and the record reflects that the waiver was knowing and voluntary. See United States v. Melancon, 972 F.2d 566, 567-68 (5th Cir.1992). We caution counsel that the assertion of issues on appeal that are plainly barred by a plea agreement and the failure to explain in briefing why the defendant's issues are not waived invites the imposition of a sanction. See United States v. Martinez, 263 F.3d 436, 438 (5th Cir.2001). The appeal is
DISMISSED.
Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.