Court Opinion

ID: 48145
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-25 23:35:47+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:18:15.015165
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                                                                Fifth Circuit
                                                             F I L E D
               IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                       FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT                 January 30, 2007

                                                         Charles R. Fulbruge III
                                                                 Clerk
                           No. 06-50365
                         Summary Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                    Plaintiff-Appellee,

versus

JOSUE MANUEL CARDIEL,

                                    Defendant-Appellant.

                       --------------------
          Appeal from the United States District Court
                for the Western District of Texas
                      USDC No. 3:05-CR-2015
                       --------------------

Before DeMOSS, STEWART, and PRADO, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

     Josue Manuel Cardiel appeals the 97-month sentence imposed

following his guilty-plea conviction for importing 50 or more

kilograms of marijuana into the United States and possession of

50 or more kilograms of marijuana with intent to distribute.         He

argues that the district court improperly estimated the amount of

marijuana that was attributed to him.

     The district court based its determination on Cardiel’s

admissions, his testimony, and evidence produced by the

Government at the sentencing hearing.   Cardiel did not dispute

     *
       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this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except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. 06-50365
                                 -2-

that each load he transported contained approximately 80 to 100

pounds of marijuana.    Cardiel has not shown that the district

court clearly erred when it estimated the drug quantity for which

Cardiel was held responsible.    See United States v. Villanueva,

408 F.3d 193, 203 & n.9 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 126 S. Ct. 268

(2005).

     Cardiel also asserts that the district court erred when it

refused to reduce his offense level pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2

for his minor role.    Cardiel contends that he was merely a

courier.

     The record indicates that Cardiel played an integral role in

transporting large quantities of marijuana from Mexico to the

United States, that the persons hiring him trusted him enough to

register a vehicle in his name, and that his actions were

important to the success of the drug venture.    Cardiel has not

shown that the district court clearly erred in finding that he

was not entitled to a reduction for a minor role in the offense.

See United States v. Franco-Torres, 869 F.2d 797, 801 (5th Cir.

1989).

     AFFIRMED.