Court Opinion

ID: 9397312
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-05-25 00:00:33.309448+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:19:23.517755
License: Public Domain

Case: 21-20388        Document: 00516762444             Page: 1      Date Filed: 05/24/2023

             United States Court of Appeals
                  for the Fifth Circuit
                                     ____________                   United States Court of Appeals
                                                                             Fifth Circuit

                                                                           FILED
                                      No. 21-20388                     May 24, 2023
                                    Summary Calendar
                                    ____________                      Lyle W. Cayce
                                                                           Clerk
   United States of America,

                                                                    Plaintiff—Appellant,

                                            versus

   Jose Luis Martinez, Jr.,

                                               Defendant—Appellee.
                     ______________________________

                     Appeal from the United States District Court
                         for the Southern District of Texas
                              USDC No. 4:20-CR-519-1
                     ______________________________

   Before Smith, Southwick, and Douglas, Circuit Judges.
   Per Curiam:*
         Jose Luis Martinez, Jr., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with
   intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture or substance
   containing a detectable amount of heroin and possession with intent to
   distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a
   detectable amount of heroin. The presentence report (PSR) calculated a total

         _____________________
         *
             This opinion is not designated for publication. See 5th Cir. R. 47.5.
Case: 21-20388      Document: 00516762444           Page: 2    Date Filed: 05/24/2023

                                     No. 21-20388

   offense level of 29 and assigned a criminal history category of II based on a
   2010 federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute marijuana,
   which received three criminal history points. The guidelines imprisonment
   range was 120 to 121 months due to the statutory minimum 10-year sentence.
          Martinez objected and argued that under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(f)(1), as
   amended by the First Step Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-391, § 402, 132 Stat.
   5194, 5221 (2018), his prior three-point offense did not foreclose a sentence
   below the statutory minimum. Martinez argued that the statutory safety-
   valve covered defendants who did not meet all the disqualifying criteria listed
   in § 3553(f)(1)(A)-(C).     At sentencing, the district court agreed with
   Martinez’s interpretation of the statute and concluded that statutory safety-
   valve relief was not foreclosed because of the prior three-point offense. The
   district court sentenced Martinez to 78 months of imprisonment and five
   years of supervised release on each count of conviction, with the sentences
   to run concurrently. The Government appealed.
          During the pendency of this appeal, United States v. Palomares, 52
   F.4th 640 (5th Cir. 2022), petition for cert. filed (U.S. Dec. 21, 2022) (No. 22-
   6391), was decided.       Martinez concedes that Palomares rejected his
   interpretation of § 3553(f)(1) and that the district court’s application of the
   safety-valve provisions was error. We are bound by panel precedent unless
   and until it is altered by an en banc decision of this court or a decision of the
   Supreme Court. United States v. Setser, 607 F.3d 128, 131 (5th Cir. 2010);
   Wicker v. McCotter, 798 F.2d 155, 157-58 (5th Cir. 1986).
          Accordingly, Martinez’s sentence is VACATED, and the matter is
   REMANDED to the district court for resentencing in accordance with
   Palomares.

                                              2