Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Abraham GARCIA-AGUILERA, Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2009-10-13
Citations: 368 F. App'x 468
Docket Number: No. 08-40920
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Abraham GARCIA-AGUILERA, Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: Before GARZA, DENNIS, and OWEN, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 368
Pages: 468–469

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Abraham GARCIA-AGUILERA, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 08-40920
Summary Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Oct. 13, 2009.
James Lee Turner, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, Houston, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Humberto Yzaguirre, Jr., Brownsville, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.
Before GARZA, DENNIS, and OWEN, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Abraham Garcia-Aguilera ("Garcia") appeals his conviction and sentence for illegal reentry after deportation in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. Although his indictment cited § 1326(b)(1), Garcia argues that the Government effectively amended the indictment so that he would receive an increased sentence under the broader provisions of § 1326(b).
Because Garcia did not object on this basis below, we review for plain error. See United States v. Peltier, 505 F.3d 389, 391-92 (5th Cir.2007), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 128 S.Ct. 2959, 171 L.Ed.2d 892 (2008). To show plain error, the appellant must demonstrate a forfeited error that is clear or obvious and that affects his substantial rights. Puckett v. United States, - U.S. -, 129 S.Ct. 1423, 1429, 173 L.Ed.2d 266 (2009). If the appellant makes such a showing, this Court has the discretion to correct the error, but only if it seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. Id.
Garcia's argument is based, in part, on the Government's statement at sentencing that, because he had a prior drug-trafficking conviction, his indictment should have cited to § 1326(b). However, there is no indication that his indictment actually was amended. His indictment specified § 1326(b)(1), he was advised at re-arraignment of the statutory maximum under that subsection, his sentence was calculated using that same statutory maximum, and the district court's judgment cited § 1326(b)(1).
Garcia also argues that, because his indictment specified § 1326(b)(1), which applies to, inter alia, aliens whose removal was subsequent to a conviction for a "felony (other than an aggravated felony)," the district court could not impose a 16-level enhancement for his prior drug trafficking offense without effectively amending the indictment. Garcia has not shown plain error. A sentencing judge is "entitled to find by a preponderance of the evidence all the facts relevant to the determination of a Guideline sentencing range." United States v. Mares, 402 F.3d 511, 519 (5th Cir.2005). The Guidelines themselves do not differentiate between the different subsections of § 1326. See U.S.S.G.App. A (Statutory Index). In addition, when determining the Guidelines sentence, the "greatest" specific offense characteristic should be applied. See § 2L1.2(b)(l). In addition, § 1326(b) constitutes a sentencing enhancement rather than an element of the offense that must be set forth in the indictment and proven beyond a reasonable doubt. See Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 235, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998).
AFFIRMED.
Pursuant to 5th Cric 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.