Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Shawn Michael ROUNDS, Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2007-04-30
Citations: 225 F. App'x 316
Docket Number: No. 06-40794
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Shawn Michael ROUNDS, Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 225
Pages: 316–316

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Shawn Michael ROUNDS, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 06-40794
Summary Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
April 30, 2007.
James Lee Turner, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of Texas, Houston, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Melissa H. Garcia, Laredo, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.
Before KING, HIGGINBOTHAM, and GARZA, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Shawn Michael Rounds pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, and the district court sentenced him to 87 months of imprisonment. Rounds now appeals his sentence, arguing that, because he was merely a co-driver, the district court erred in finding that he did not qualify for a downward adjustment for being a minimal or minor participant in the offense. A defendant's role in the offense is a factual determination that this court reviews for clear error. United States v. Villanueva, 408 F.3d 193, 203 (5th Cir.2005).
The advisory Sentencing Guidelines provide for a reduction in the base offense level of a "minor" or a "minimal" participant. U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2. A defendant who is "a courier without being substantially less culpable than the average participant" does not qualify for this adjustment. United States v. Buenrostro, 868 F.2d 135, 138 (5th Cir.1989); U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2, comment. (n. 3(A)). In light of the testimony at his sentencing hearing, Rounds has not shown that the district court clearly erred in finding that he did not qualify for a downward adjustment based on his role in the offense. See Buenrostro, 868 F.2d at 138.
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Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.