Opinion ID: 3040619
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: Manuel Jesus Valle-Montalbo (“Valle-Montalbo”) appeals his sentence for illegal re-entry into the United States after deportation in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. In particular, Valle-Montalbo challenges an enhancement of his sentence under United States Sentencing Guidelines (“U.S.S.G.” or “Guidelines”) § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A) based on his prior conviction for possessing methamphetamine for sale in violation of California Health & Safety Code § 11378. We must determine whether a violation of Health & Safety Code § 11378 is a “drug trafficking offense” under § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A). We conclude that it is and affirm Valle-Montalbo’s sentence. On October 31, 2005, the district court accepted ValleMontalbo’s guilty plea for illegal re-entry and heard argument regarding sentencing. The district court found that there was sufficient proof that Valle-Montalbo suffered a prior drug trafficking conviction for violating Health & Safety Code § 11378, and imposed an enhancement of 16 levels under UNITED STATES v. VALLE-MONTALBO 1259 § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(i). The district court sentenced ValleMontalbo to 70 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Valle-Montalbo filed a timely notice of appeal. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742. STANDARDS OF REVIEW We review a district court’s determination that a prior conviction qualifies for a sentencing enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2 de novo. United States v. Villa-Lara, 451 F.3d 63, 64 (9th Cir. 2006). We review de novo whether a sentence violates Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 (2000). See United States v. Pina-Jaime, 332 F.3d 609, 611 (9th Cir. 2003).