Opinion ID: 791663
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: 2 Saldana pleaded guilty to part of a multiple-count indictment directed at members of a robbery crew active in New York and New Jersey from March to December 1999. In particular, Saldana pleaded guilty for his part in the December 22, 1999, armed robbery of a home located in Clifton, New Jersey. 3 The victims of the December 22, 1999, robbery were a couple who, the crew was led to believe, had a large amount of cash in their home as proceeds of the sale of a grocery business. On December 22, Saldana and another member of the crew, known as CC, drove to the victims' house. CC, posing as a police officer, was invited in. Once inside, he radioed Saldana, who was waiting outside. Saldana joined CC in the house. Both perpetrators produced firearms. The victims were threatened with death and bodily harm, were physically assaulted, and, eventually, were bound. Saldana and CC searched the house but left with only $8000 in cash, some jewelry, and a .38 caliber handgun that belonged to the victims. Saldana was later apprehended by local law enforcement in the Bronx, New York, while in possession of the .38 caliber handgun stolen during the December 22 robbery. 4 On July 25, 2002, Saldana was indicted on part of a multiple-count indictment directed at several members of the crew and encompassing a number of robberies, including the December 22, 1999, robbery. After negotiating with the government, Saldana agreed to plead guilty to counts sixteen, nineteen, and twenty of the indictment, for conspiracy to commit robbery in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951, robbery in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 1952, and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii), and (c)(2). 5 As part of his plea agreement, Saldana stipulated to a detailed sentencing calculation reached under the then-mandatory United States Sentencing Guidelines. For Saldana, the stipulated Guidelines range was 125 to 135 months' imprisonment. Saldana and the government further agreed that neither downward nor upward departure from that range was appropriate; and Saldana agreed to waive his right to appeal from any sentence imposed that fell within the stipulated range. 6 Consistent with his agreement, Saldana pleaded guilty to violations of the counts described above. During its Rule 11, Fed.R.Crim.P., colloquy with the Saldana, the District Court took admirable care to confirm Saldana's understanding that it was obliged to apply in mandatory fashion the United States Sentencing Guidelines; that Saldana had stipulated to a Guidelines calculation that would lead to a sentence of 125 to 135 months' imprisonment; that Saldana was waiving his right to appeal any sentence in that range, even if reached in error; and that, if the District Court imposed a sentence of more than 135 months' imprisonment, then Saldana would still be bound by his guilty plea. 7 Saldana demonstrated that he understood these terms and stated his desire to plead guilty. He did so. The District Court subsequently entered a judgment of conviction and imposed a sentence of 135 months' imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Saldana, through counsel, filed timely notice of appeal. Saldana now seeks to withdraw his plea as not knowing, intelligent, or voluntary because it was entered on the false assumption that the United States Sentencing Guidelines were mandatory rather than advisory. We find that this argument is without merit and affirm, in part. Other asserted grounds of relief are addressed in a summary order filed in conjunction with this opinion, in which we dismiss, in part.