Opinion ID: 25905
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Apprendi challenge to prison sentences.

Text: 44 Relying on Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S. Ct. 2348 (2000), Alexander, Faulk, and Green argue that their sentences must be vacated and remanded for resentencing. 4 The Supreme Court held last year that [o]ther than the fact of a prior conviction, any fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed statutory maximum must be submitted to a jury, and proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Apprendi, 120 S. Ct. at 2362-63. This Court has applied Apprendi's holding to the sentencing scheme for drug convictions under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b). See United States v. Doggett, 230 F.3d 160, 164-65 (5th Cir. 2000). In Doggett, we held that if the government seeks enhanced penalties based on the amount of drugs under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A) or (B), the quantity must be stated in the indictment and submitted to a jury for a finding of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. 45 In the present case, the amount of heroin involved in the conspiracy count was not stated in the indictment. 5 Error under Apprendi requires reversal only if a defendant's sentence exceeds the statutory maximum. See United States v. Keith, 230 F.3d 784, 787 (5th Cir. 2000); Doggett, 230 F.3d at 165 (stating that even if a drug amount is not alleged in the indictment, Apprendi does not apply where the sentence is less than the statutory maximum provided by 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C)). Section 841(b)(1)(C) sets the statutory maximum for an offense involving an unspecified amount of a Schedule I substance at 20 years in prison. Heroin is a Schedule I substance. See United States v. Hernandez-Avalos, 251 F.3d 505, 508 (5th Cir. 2001); § 812(c), Schedule I(b)(10). The appellants' sentences of imprisonment do not exceed the statutory maximum: 211 months (Faulk) 140 months (Alexander); and 136 months (Green). Apprendi therefore offers no succor with respect to the sentences of imprisonment. 46