Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Elander Mark LACHNEY, Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2005-01-06
Citations: 119 F. App'x 640
Docket Number: No. 04-30490
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Elander Mark LACHNEY, Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 119
Pages: 640–642

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Elander Mark LACHNEY, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 04-30490.
Summary Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Decided Jan. 6, 2005.
Catherine M. Maraist, Richard Lewis Bourgeois, Jr, U.S. Attorney’s Office Middle District of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, LA, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Rebecca L. Hudsmith, Federal Public Defender, Federal Public Defender’s Office Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA, for Defendant-Appellant.
Before DAVIS, SMITH, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Elander Mark Lachney appeals the sentences imposed by the district court following entry of his guilty pleas to charges of bank fraud (Count One), illegal use of means of identification of another to commit bank fraud (Count Two), and illegal use of a social security number (Count Three). The district court sentenced Lachney, inter alia, to concurrent.terms of 115 months of imprisonment on Counts One and Two and to a concurrent term of sixty months of imprisonment on Count Three.
For the first time on appeal, Lachney contends that he was sentenced in violation of his Sixth Amendment right to a trial by jury. Lachney relies on Blakely v. Washington, — U.S. -, 124 S.Ct. 2531, 159 L.Ed.2d 403 (2004), and Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000) as support for his position. As Lachney concedes, his argument is foreclosed by our decision in United States v. Pineiro, 377 F.3d 464, 465-66 (5th Cir.2004), cert. granted, judgment vacated by — U.S.-, 125 S.Ct. 1003, — L.Ed.2d -, 2005 WL 124197 (2005); cf. Wicker v. McCotter, 798 F.2d 155, 157-58 (5th Cir.1986).
Lachney also contends for the first time on appeal that the district court reversibly erred when it departed upward from offense level seventeen to offense level twenty-three. He asserts that the district court used impermissible factors to justify the upward departure. He asserts in addition that the district court double-counted when it used his prior convictions and the fact that he had relocated and continued committing offenses in other jurisdictions as justification for the upward departure. Lachney does not challenge the upward departure from criminal history category IV to category VI.
Because Lachney did not object to the district court's finding that the appropriate guideline range was 92 to 115 months of imprisonment, we review for plain error. See United States v. Ravitch, 128 F.3d 865, 869 (5th Cir.1997). To demonstrate plain error, Lachney must show clear or obvious error that affects his substantial rights; in such case, we may exercise our discretion to correct a forfeited error that seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. See Ravitch, 128 F.3d at 869 (citing United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 730-36, 113 S.Ct. 1770, 123 L.Ed.2d 508 (1993); United States v. Calverley, 37 F.3d 160, 162-64 (5th Cir.1994) (en banc)).
The record shows, contrary to Lachney's argument, that the district court did not rely on Lachney's prior arrests, his lifestyle of drug use, and his lack of education and training as justification for the upward departure. The district court cited Lachney's prior convictions that did not contribute points toward his criminal history score; Lachney's failure to adhere to conditions of probation, parole, or supervised release; Lachney's commission of offenses while on periods of release; Lachney's propensity toward recidivism; and Lachney's threat to the safety of the community, all of which are permissible bases for an upward departure. See U.S.S.G. § 4A1.3(a)(4)(B); U.S.S.G. § 4A1.3(a)(2) & comment, (n.2.).
The record refutes Lachney's argument that the district court double-counted by using his prior convictions and his relocation and continued commission of offenses in other jurisdictions as grounds for the upward departure in his offense level. The district court explained that it was departing beyond criminal history category VI because Lachney committed crimes while on probation, parole, or supervision; his offenses were becoming violent; his record showed that he would continue to commit crimes; and he presented a danger to the community. Furthermore, Lachney has not cited a guideline provision that forbids the alleged double-counting. See United States v. Harrington, 82 F.3d 83, 89 n. 6 (5th Cir.1996) (double-counting is not prohibited unless guideline forbids it). Lachney has not shown error, much less plain error. See Ravitch, 128 F.3d at 869. Accordingly, the judgment of the district court is 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.