Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Linda Gail HORTON, Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2016-12-15
Citations: 671 F. App'x 330
Docket Number: No. 16-10031 Summary Calendar
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Linda Gail HORTON, Defendant-Appellant
Judges: Before BARKSDALE, GRAVES, and COSTA, Circuit Judges
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 671
Pages: 330–331

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Linda Gail HORTON, Defendant-Appellant
No. 16-10031 Summary Calendar
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Date Filed: 12/15/2016
Brian W. McKay, Esq., Assistant U.S. Attorney, James Wesley Hendrix, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Texas, Dallas, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee
Jerry Van Beard, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Federal Public Defender’s Office, Northern District of Texas, Dallas, TX, William Ernest Hermesmeyer, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Federal Public Defender’s Office, Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth, TX, James Matthew Wright, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Federal Public Defender’s Office, Northern District of Texas, Amarillo, TX, for Defendant-Appellant
Before BARKSDALE, GRAVES, and COSTA, Circuit Judges

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Linda Gail Horton pleaded guilty without a plea agreement to one count of bank robbery, . in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a). Horton challenges a two-point enhancement to her base-offense level under Guideline § 2B3.1(b)(2)(F) for making a threat of death during the commission of the robbery. Along that line, Horton asserts the enhancement applies only if "(1) a reasonable person in the position of the immediate victim would very likely believe the defendant made a threat and the threat was to kill, and (2) the victim likely thought his life was in peril". U.S.S.G app. G, amend. 552. Because the presentence investigation report did not mention whether the victim experienced a fear of death, Horton claims the court erred in imposing the enhancement.
Although post-Booker, the Sentencing Guidelines are advisory only, the district court must avoid significant procedural error, such as improperly calculating the Guidelines sentencing range. Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 48-51, 128 S.Ct. 586, 169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007). If no such procedural error exists, a properly preserved objection to an ultimate sentence is reviewed for substantive reasonableness under an abuse-of-discretion standard. Id. at 51, 128 S.Ct. 586; United States v. Delgado-Martinez, 564 F.3d 750, 751-53 (2009). In that respect, for issues preserved in district court, its application of the Guidelines is reviewed de novo; its factual findings, only for clear error. E.g., United States v. Cisneros-Gutierrez, 517 F.3d 751, 764 (5th Cir. 2008).
Horton did not object in district court to the application of the threat-of-death enhancement. The absence of a "threat of death" was urged only in seeking a downward departure. Therefore, review is only for plain error. E.g., United States v. Broussard, 669 F.3d 537, 546 (5th Cir. 2012). Under that standard, Horton must show a forfeited plain (clear or obvious) error that affected her substantial rights. Puckett v. United States, 556 U.S. 129, 135, 129 S.Ct. 1423, 173 L.Ed.2d 266 (2009). If she does so, we have the discretion to correct the reversible plain error, but should do so only if it "seriously affect[s] the fairness, integrity or public reputation of judicial proceedings". Id.
The commentary for Guideline § 2B3.1(b)(2)(F) explains a threat of death "may be in the form of an oral or written statement, act, gesture, or combination thereof'. U.S.S.G. § 2B3.1, cmt. n.6. The defendant need not expressly threaten to kill the victim. Id. Instead, under the applicable objective standard, the enhancement applies when a reasonable person would reasonably fear his life was in danger. United States v. Soto-Martinez, 317 F.3d 477, 479 (5th Cir. 2003). Horton's note to the bank teller demanded money and stated Horton had a bomb.' It is not clear or obvious error to decide such a statement would instill a fear of death in a reasonable person, especially in a tense and stressful situation like a bank robbery. See id.
Therefore, Horton fails to show the court plainly erred in applying the "threat of death" enhancement. See Puckett, 556 U.S. at 135, 129 S.Ct. 1423; Soto-Martinez, 317 F.3d at 479.
AFFIRMED.
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.