Opinion ID: 196045
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Aggravated Felony Conviction

Text: 10 In view of the complete lack of factual or legal support for Mejias' ex post facto argument, appellate counsel identified the following alternative argument: the sentencing court erred in applying a 16-level enhancement to his offense level under U.S.S.G. Sec. 2L1.2(b)(2), because the state conviction that triggered the enhancement is not specifically classified in the state record as an aggravated felony. This issue was not raised before the district court. 11 The Judgment of Conviction and Commitment from the Rhode Island Superior Court indicates only that Mejias was convicted of conspiracy to violate the Controlled Substances Act. No specific section of the Rhode Island Act is cited. From the PSR, however, it is evident that possession of cocaine with intent to distribute was at least one aspect of the charge to which Mejias pleaded nolo contendere. 12 This court recently outlined the criteria for classifying a prior conviction as an aggravated felony for purposes of U.S.S.G. Sec. 2L1.2, as follows: 13 Aggravated felony is defined in paragraph 7 of the Application Notes to Sec. 2L1.2 to include any illicit trafficking in any controlled substance (as defined in 21 U.S.C. 802), including any drug trafficking crime as defined in 18 U.S.C. 924(c)(2) ... and applies to offenses in violation of federal or state law. 14 A drug trafficking crime is defined in U.S.C. Sec. 924(c)(2) to include any felony punishable under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801, et seq.), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951, et seq.), or the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (46 U.S.C. App. 1901, et seq.). For a drug offense to come within this statute and, in turn, to meet the definition of aggravated felony, it must meet two criteria: first, the offense must be punishable under one of these three enumerated statutes; and second, the offense must be a felony. Amaral v. I.N.S., 977 F.2d 33,35 (1st Cir., 1992). 15 United States v. Forbes, 16 F.3d 1294, 1301 (1st Cir. 1994). 16 Mejias' state conviction meets both criteria. Even simple possession of drugs is punishable under the federal Controlled Substance Act. See 21 U.S.C. Sec. 844(a). A felony is defined under 21 U.S.C. Sec. 802(13) as any Federal or State offense classified by applicable Federal or State Law as a felony. Under Rhode Law, an offense is a felony if the maximum authorized term of imprisonment exceeds one year. See R.I. Gen. Laws Sec. 11-1-2 (1994). The maximum term of imprisonment authorized for conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver cocaine exceeds one year under Rhode Island law. See R.I. Gen. Laws Secs. 21-28-4.01(A)(2)(a) and 21-28-4.08 (1994). Therefore, Mejias' conviction is a felony punishable by one of the enumerated statutes in 18 U.S.C. Sec. 924(c)(2), and it qualifies as an aggravated felony for purposes of U.S.S.G. Sec. 2L1.2. 17 We conclude that counsel, having obtained and reviewed the transcript from the change of plea hearing, has fully complied with her obligation under Anders to review the entire record for any arguable claim. In accordance with our obligation under Anders, we too have fully examined the record. We conclude that the appeal is wholly frivolous and, accordingly, we grant counsel's motion to withdraw. Appellant's conviction and sentence are affirmed. See Loc. R. 27.1.