Court Opinion

ID: 4551488
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-07-28 15:00:48.228117+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:01:20.433327
License: Public Domain

Case: 19-13997   Date Filed: 07/28/2020     Page: 1 of 12

                                                         [DO NOT PUBLISH]

             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

                        FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
                          ________________________

                               No. 19-13997
                           Non-Argument Calendar
                         ________________________

                 D.C. Docket No. 8:18-cr-00470-SCB-JSS-2

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                                 Plaintiff - Appellee,

versus

SANTIAGO SILVA-ORTIZ,
a.k.a. Santiago Silva,

                                                 Defendant - Appellant.

                         ________________________

                Appeal from the United States District Court
                    for the Middle District of Florida
                      ________________________

                               (July 28, 2020)

Before JORDAN, NEWSOM, and LAGOA, Circuit Judges.

LAGOA, Circuit Judge:
              Case: 19-13997     Date Filed: 07/28/2020   Page: 2 of 12

      Santiago Silva-Ortiz (“Silva-Ortiz”) appeals his 151-month sentence for

conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine

while aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and aiding and

abetting the possession of cocaine aboard such a vessel. The only issue before this

Court is whether the sentence is substantively unreasonable. Because we find that

Silva-Ortiz’s sentence is substantively reasonable, we affirm the sentence.

I.    FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

      In early October 2018, Eulices de Jesus Barliza-Lopez (“Barliza-Lopez”) and

Silva-Ortiz were hired to transport bales of cocaine aboard a go-fast vessel to the

Dominican Republic. Barliza-Lopez, a Colombian fisherman, was hired to captain

the vessel. Silva-Ortiz, a former member of the Colombian National Police, was

hired as a load guard to protect the bales of cocaine and was given a Glock 19 pistol

and three thirty-round magazines.       Barliza-Lopez hired Juan Carlos Epieyu

(“Epieyu”) and Apolinar Pushaina (“Pushaina”) to serve as mariners. For their

efforts, Barliza-Lopez was offered approximately $9,554, and Epieyu and Pushaina

were offered $1,500 each. Silva-Ortiz was offered approximately $22,654. Barliza-

Lopez and Silva-Ortiz each received upfront compensation of roughly $3,500.

      On or about October 10, 2018, the four men headed to the Dominican

Republic on the go-fast vessel. Approximately 165 nautical miles south of Cabo

Beata, Dominican Republic, the vessel was intercepted by the United States Coast

                                          2
                 Case: 19-13997      Date Filed: 07/28/2020      Page: 3 of 12

Guard (“Coast Guard”). Before the Coast Guard boarded their vessel, the four men

threw a number of bales of cocaine, as well as Silva-Ortiz’s pistol, overboard. The

Coast Guard boarded the vessel, arrested the four men, retrieved some of the

overboard contraband, and confiscated a total of thirty-two bales of cocaine,

weighing over 1,194.4 kilograms. 1 Silva-Ortiz’s pistol, however, was not retrieved.

           On October 16, 2018, a grand jury returned a two-count indictment against

the four men charging the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to

distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine while on board a vessel subject to the

jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 46 U.S.C. §§ 70503(a), 70506(a) and

(b), and 21 U.S.C. § 960(b)(1)(B)(ii) (Count1), and with aiding and abetting the

possession of cocaine aboard such a vessel, in violation of 46 U.S.C. §§ 70503(a),

70506(a), 18 U.S.C. § 2, and 21 U.S.C. § 960(b)(1)(B)(ii) (Count 2). The maximum

sentence for these offenses is life imprisonment. See § 960(b)(1)(B)(ii).

       Silva-Ortiz cooperated with federal agents with the hope that it would lead to

a sentence reduction. During his post-Miranda interview and safety-valve debrief,2

       1
        The presentence investigation report indicated that 1,194.4 kilograms of cocaine were
recovered, but during Silva-Ortiz’s plea hearing, the government stated that 1,236 kilograms were
recovered.

       2
         A defendant may obtain safety-valve relief, where the district court may disregard a
statutory minimum sentence, when he meets the criteria specified in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(f). A
defendant who possesses a firearm in connection with an offense, however, is not eligible for
safety-valve relief. § 3553(f)(2).
                                               3
              Case: 19-13997     Date Filed: 07/28/2020   Page: 4 of 12

Silva-Ortiz explained his role in the drug trafficking venture and admitted that he

possessed a firearm while aboard the vessel.

      Barliza-Lopez also cooperated with the government and later pleaded guilty

to Count Two and was sentenced to 135-months imprisonment. Epieyu pleaded

guilty to both counts and was sentenced to seventy-two-months imprisonment.

Pushaina pleaded guilty to Count Two and was also sentenced to seventy-two-

months imprisonment. None of the co-defendants received a sentence enhancement

for possession of a firearm. Silva-Ortiz pleaded guilty to both counts but during his

plea hearing, he did not admit to possessing a firearm.

      Because the Coast Guard seized over 450 kilograms of cocaine, Silva-Ortiz’s

presentence investigation report recommended a base offense level of thirty-eight,

with a two-level enhancement for possession of a firearm and a three-level reduction

for his acceptance of responsibility, making the total offense level thirty-seven. See

U.S.S.G. §§ 2D1.1, 3E1.1. With a total offense level of thirty-seven and a criminal

history category of I, Silva-Ortiz’s guideline range was 210 to 262 months

imprisonment. See U.S.S.G. Sentencing Table, ch. 5, pt. A.

      Silva-Ortiz objected to the two-level enhancement for possession of a firearm.

During his sentencing hearing, Silva-Ortiz stated that he pleaded guilty only to the

offenses charged in the indictment, but not to possession of a firearm and therefore

the government was required to prove that he possessed a firearm. At the sentencing

                                          4
              Case: 19-13997     Date Filed: 07/28/2020   Page: 5 of 12

hearing, the government offered the testimony of Special Agent Ivan Garcia to prove

that Silva-Ortiz possessed a firearm. Special Agent Garcia testified that Silva-Ortiz,

during his post-Miranda interview and safety-valve debrief, admitted to the firearm

possession as part of his role as the load guard. Special Agent Garcia also testified

that Silva-Ortiz, hoping that his cooperation would lead to a sentence reduction, was

candid and truthful during his conversations with federal agents. Following Special

Agent Garcia’s testimony, defense counsel conceded that the government met its

burden in proving possession of firearm by Silva-Ortiz.

      Acknowledging that his sentence could not go below 120-months, Silva-Ortiz

argued that based on his candor with federal agents and the lower sentences of his

co-defendants, he should receive a sentence of 120-months imprisonment. Silva-

Ortiz further argued that he would not be disappointed if his sentence matched

Barliza-Lopez’s sentence of 135-months imprisonment. Silva-Ortiz also noted that

he only received his upfront compensation of roughly $3,500, and not his offered

$22,654, because he did not deliver the bales of cocaine to the Dominican Republic.

Barliza-Lopez similarly received roughly $3,500.

      The government agreed that Silva-Ortiz was candid but nonetheless stated that

it did not believe a sentence “out of line” with Barliza-Lopez’s would be

inappropriate given Silva-Ortiz’s background as a former Colombian National

Police officer who agreed to serve as a load guard and who was offered significantly

                                          5
              Case: 19-13997     Date Filed: 07/28/2020    Page: 6 of 12

more compensation than the other co-defendants. The district court overruled Silva-

Ortiz’s objection to the two-level increase for possessing the firearm. The district

court reasoned that a sentence greater than Barliza-Lopez’s sentence was appropriate

because Silva-Ortiz was more responsible than Barliza-Lopez as Silva-Ortiz was

specifically hired to serve as the load guard to protect the drugs and was given a

firearm to accomplish this job. The district court further reasoned that Silva-Ortiz

was offered more compensation for his role in the venture than the other defendants.

       Nevertheless, while finding that Silva-Ortiz was more responsible than his

co-defendants, the district court did not believe that a sentence within the applicable

guideline range was necessary. In making this determination, the district considered

Silva-Ortiz’s candor, stating that “you got to give him credit because he’s the guy

that told [the government] on two occasions that . . . he had the firearm, and about

what he was going to be paid, and [he has] been very up front.” The district court

also acknowledged that Silva-Ortiz’s candor disqualified him for a potential safety-

valve reduction. The district court reasoned that it would “fashion a sentence that’s

higher than what the captain received but certainly less than the guideline range.”

       The district court reduced Silva-Ortiz’s total offense level to thirty-four with

a criminal history category I and sentenced him to 151-months imprisonment with

five years of supervised release. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, the

district court stated that: “The sentence that I have imposed I think is a sentence

                                          6
               Case: 19-13997     Date Filed: 07/28/2020     Page: 7 of 12

that’s sufficient but not greater than necessary. I think it’s also one that avoids

disparity in sentencing, and that’s the reason I have varied downward.” This timely

appeal ensured.

II.    STANDARD OF REVIEW

       “We review the substantive reasonableness of a sentence for abuse of

discretion.” United States v. Kirby, 938 F.3d 1254, 1257 (11th Cir. 2019). “A

district court abuses its discretion when it (1) fails to afford consideration to relevant

[18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) sentencing] factors that were due significant weight, (2) gives

significant weight to an improper or irrelevant factor, or (3) commits a clear error of

judgment in considering the proper factors.” United States v. Irey, 612 F.3d 1160,

1189 (11th Cir. 2010) (en banc) (quoting United States v. Campa, 459 F.3d 1121,

1174 (11th Cir. 2006) (en banc)).

III.   ANALYSIS

       Sentences must be procedurally and substantively reasonable. See Gall v.

United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007). Because Silva-Ortiz does not challenge the

procedural reasonableness of his sentence, the only issue before us is whether the

sentence is substantively reasonable. “The review for substantive unreasonableness

involves examining the totality of the circumstances, including an inquiry into

whether the statutory factors in § 3553(a) support the sentence in question.” United

States v. Gonzalez, 550 F.3d 1319, 1324 (11th Cir. 2008). The weight given to any

                                            7
               Case: 19-13997     Date Filed: 07/28/2020     Page: 8 of 12

§ 3553(a) factor is committed to the sound discretion of the district court. United

States v. Clay, 483 F.3d 739, 743 (11th Cir. 2007). “Pursuant to § 3553(a), the

sentencing ‘court shall impose a sentence sufficient, but not greater than necessary,

to’. . . promot[e] respect for the law, deter[] criminal conduct, and protect[] the public

from further crimes of the defendant.” Gonzalez, 550 F.3d at 1324 (quoting §

3553(a)(2)). The § 3553(a) factors include “the need to avoid unwarranted sentence

disparities among defendants with similar records who have been found guilty of

similar conduct.” § 3553(a)(6). “The party challenging a sentence has the burden

of showing that the sentence is unreasonable in light of the entire record, the §

3553(a) factors, and the substantial deference afforded sentencing courts.” United

States v. Rosales-Bruno, 789 F.3d 1249, 1256 (11th Cir. 2015).

      Silva-Ortiz argues that his sentence is substantively unreasonable because it

is greater than necessary to protect the public and to further the goals of sentencing.

He advances three arguments on appeal. First, he argues that his sentence was

substantively unreasonable because the district court disparately sentenced his co-

defendants. See § 3553(a)(6). Silva-Ortiz contends that he is similarly situated to

Barliza-Lopez and should receive a comparable sentence. Silva-Ortiz contends that

both he and Barliza-Lopez “had similar backgrounds, both entered pleas of guilty,

both cooperated with law enforcement, and both received a similar amount of

                                            8
              Case: 19-13997     Date Filed: 07/28/2020   Page: 9 of 12

money[, roughly $3,500,] for their involvement in the offense.” Because of their

similarities, Silva-Ortiz argues that his 151-month sentence was too disparate.

      Second, Silva-Ortiz argues that the district court did not properly weigh his

candor and truthfulness in cooperating with federal agents. Silva-Ortiz notes that he

received the sentence enhancement for possession of a firearm because he was

candid with federal agents and admitted to the possession of the firearm. In so doing,

Silva-Ortiz contends, he disqualified himself for safety-valve relief.

      Lastly, Silva-Ortiz argues that the district court did not properly weigh the

government’s statements regarding his sentence. According to Silva-Ortiz, “the

government did not argue against a sentence of 135-months” and, “[i]n fact, the

government conceded that a similar sentence to that imposed on Mr. Barliza-Lopez

would be appropriate.”

      As a general matter, we note the wide discretion afforded to the district court.

“It is abundantly clear that the district courts have institutional advantages in

applying and weighing § 3553(a)’s factors in individual cases.” United States v.

McQueen, 727 F.3d 1144, 1156 (11th Cir. 2013). “In the face of this discretion, it

is only the rare sentence that will be substantively unreasonable.” Id.

      Turning to Silva-Ortiz’s first argument, when considering a claim of sentence

disparity, we first consider whether the defendant is similarly situated to the

defendants to whom he compares himself. See United States v. Dupervel, 777 F.3d
9
              Case: 19-13997     Date Filed: 07/28/2020    Page: 10 of 12

1324, 1338 (11th Cir. 2015). When evaluating alleged disparities, we do not focus

only on the crime of conviction and the total length of sentence. See United States

v. Moran, 778 F.3d 942, 983 (11th Cir. 2015). While § 3553(a)(6) states that district

courts should “avoid unwarranted sentence disparities among defendants with

similar records who have been found guilty of similar conduct,” Silva-Ortiz is not

similarly situated to his co-defendants. As the district court correctly determined,

Silva-Ortiz’s conduct differed from that of his co-defendants. Unlike Barliza-Lopez,

Pushaina, and Epieyu, Silva-Ortiz was specifically hired by the South American

drug trafficking venture to protect the bales of cocaine and possess the firearm, and

was accordingly offered more compensation for his efforts. While there are some

overarching similarities, Silva-Ortiz’s role in the drug trafficking venture, as well as

his culpability, differed from that of his co-defendants and warranted a higher

sentence. See United States v. Cabezas-Montano, 949 F.3d 567, 612 (11th Cir.

2020) (holding that a captain of a vessel containing drugs and a drug smuggler were

not similarly situated and warranted disparate sentences); United States v. Bergman,

852 F.3d 1046, 1071 (11th Cir. 2017) (holding that criminal defendant who was

more involved in a Medicare fraud scheme was more culpable than his co-

defendant); Moran, 778 F.3d at 983 (same); see also United States v. McNair, 605
F.3d 1152, 1231–32 (11th Cir. 2010) (explaining the differences between two co-

defendants that warranted disparate sentences).

                                          10
                Case: 19-13997     Date Filed: 07/28/2020    Page: 11 of 12

         We also find Silva-Ortiz’s second argument similarly unavailing. Although

Silva-Ortiz contends that the district court did not properly consider his candor and

truthfulness, the record suggests otherwise. During the sentencing hearing, the

district court gave him “credit” for admitting to the firearm possession. This credit

contributed to the district court’s conclusion that the guideline sentence of 210 to

262 months imprisonment was not “necessary in order to provide proper punishment

here.”     Accordingly, the district court sentenced Silva-Ortiz to 151 months

imprisonment with five years of supervised release, which is below the statutory

maximum sentence of life imprisonment. See 21 U.S.C. § 960(b)(1)(B)(ii). “A

sentence imposed well below the statutory maximum penalty is an indicator of a

reasonable sentence.” United States v. Dougherty, 754 F.3d 1353, 1362 (11th Cir.

2014).

         We are similarly not persuaded by Silva-Ortiz’s final argument. Silva-Ortiz

contends that the government did not object to his proposed lower sentence and even

conceded that a sentence of 135-months imprisonment would be appropriate. Silva-

Ortiz appears to reference the following statement that the government made during

the sentencing hearing:

         I have no issue with . . . however the Court wants to fashion a reasonable
         sentence here . . . whatever the Court deems appropriate. I mean, it
         doesn’t seem to me that a sentence that’s out of line with Mr. Barliza-
         Lopez’s would be inappropriate. I mean, they—they’re on track with
         each other being far superior to the two mariners who really were de
         minimis roles by comparison, not in a legal sense but in a sort of more
                                            11
             Case: 19-13997      Date Filed: 07/28/2020    Page: 12 of 12

      practical sense. . . . this will be one of the stranger boat cases I’ve seen
      because I’ve not seen [a] former police officer serving as a load guard
      before . . . .

As the statement indicates, the government stated that a sentence greater than

Barliza-Lopez’s would not be inappropriate. But even if the government made a

concession regarding sentencing, which the record does not support, a sentence does

not automatically become unreasonable when a district court rejects the

government’s sentencing recommendation. E.g., United States v. Valnor, 451 F.3d
744, 746, 751–52 (11th Cir. 2006) (affirming the district court’s sentencing decision

as reasonable, which rejected a joint sentence recommendation by the government

and defense to impose a sentence within the advisory sentencing guideline range).

IV.   CONCLUSION

      Because the record evidence shows that the district court considered and

weighed the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors, we find the district court’s sentence

substantively reasonable and affirm the sentence.

AFFIRMED.

                                          12