Opinion ID: 1451468
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sixth Amendment Apprendi Claim

Text: Negrete argues that the district court's application of the obstruction of justice enhancement based on the district court's finding of perjury violated his Sixth Amendment rights because the court was permitted to make the finding by a preponderance of the evidence. Negrete's argument, however, is foreclosed by United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005). It is well settled that post- Booker, district courts are permitted to engage in judicial factfinding, using the preponderance standard. See e.g. Steele v. United States, 518 F.3d 986, 989 (8th Cir.2008) (recognizing that judicial factfinding at sentencing is deemed constitutionally permissible under Booker ...).