Court Opinion

ID: 25867
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-25 08:44:27+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:33:24.684054
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                       FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

                            No. 01-50495
                        Conference Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                         Plaintiff-Appellee,

versus

FREDY OSIRIS SUAREZ-BACA,

                                         Defendant-Appellant.

                       --------------------
          Appeal from the United States District Court
                for the Western District of Texas
                  USDC No. EP-01-CR-724-ALL-EP
                       --------------------
                         October 29, 2001

Before WIENER, BENAVIDES, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

     Fredy Osiris Suarez-Baca appeals the 41-month term of

imprisonment imposed following his guilty plea conviction of

being found in the United States after removal in violation of

8 U.S.C. § 1326.   He contends that the sentence is invalid

because it exceeds the two-year maximum term of imprisonment

prescribed in 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a).

     Suarez-Baca complains that his sentence was improperly

enhanced pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(2) based on his prior

removal following an aggravated felony conviction.     He argues

     *
        Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined
that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent
except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.
R. 47.5.4.
                           No. 01-50495
                                 -2-

that the sentencing provision violates the Due Process Clause.

Alternatively, Suarez-Baca contends that 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and

8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(2) define separate offenses.    He argues that

the aggravated felony conviction that resulted in his increased

sentence was an element of the offense under 8 U.S.C.

§ 1326(b)(2) that should have been alleged in his indictment.

Suarez-Baca acknowledges that his arguments are foreclosed by the

Supreme Court’s decision in Almendarez-Torres v. United States,

523 U.S. 224 (1998), but seeks to preserve the issues for Supreme

Court review in light of the decision in Apprendi v. New Jersey,

530 U.S. 466 (2000).

     Apprendi did not overrule Almendarez-Torres.    See Apprendi,

530 U.S. at 489-90; United States v. Dabeit, 231 F.3d 979, 984

(5th Cir. 2000), cert. denied, 121 S. Ct. 1214 (2001).     Suarez-

Baca’s arguments are foreclosed.    The judgment of the district

court is AFFIRMED.

     The Government has moved for a summary affirmance in lieu of

filing an appellee’s brief.   In its motion, the Government asks

that the judgment of the district court be affirmed and that an

appellee’s brief not be required.    The motion is GRANTED.

     Suarez-Baca has filed a motion for leave to file a pro se

supplemental brief.    By accepting the assistance of counsel,

Suarez-Baca has waived any opportunity to present pro se

pleadings on direct appeal.    See Myers v. Johnson, 76 F.3d 1330,

1335 (5th Cir. 1996); 5th Cir. R. 28.7.    The motion is DENIED.

     AFFIRMED; MOTION FOR SUMMARY AFFIRMANCE GRANTED; MOTION TO
FILE A SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEF DENIED.