Court Opinion

ID: 59616
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-26 03:23:24+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:19:50.059276
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                   FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT United States Court of Appeals
                                                  Fifth Circuit

                                                                 FILED
                                                                March 11, 2008
                               No. 06-50603
                             Summary Calendar              Charles R. Fulbruge III
                                                                   Clerk

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                          Plaintiff-Appellee

v.

JESUS MANUEL RONQUILLO, also known as Jesus Adrian Ronquillo, also
known as Jesus Manuel Rodriguez, also known as Jesus Manuel Ronquillo

                                          Defendant-Appellant

                 Appeal from the United States District Court
                      for the Western District of Texas
                           USDC No. 3:04-CR-265-2

Before JOLLY, DENNIS, and PRADO, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
      Jesus Manuel Ronquillo appeals the sentence that he received after he
pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute marijuana in
violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. Ronquillo argues that he received ineffective
assistance of trial counsel because counsel failed to argue relevant facts,
circumstances, and law relative to a downward adjustment based on Ronquillo’s
role in the offense.

      *
      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should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited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. 06-50603

      There is some question as to whether the appeal waiver in Ronquillo’s plea
agreement prevents him from bringing a direct appeal regarding ineffective
assistance of counsel. However, because, at rearraignment, Ronquillo was
informed that the waiver does not bar ineffective assistance of counsel claims
and because the Government has not sought in its brief to enforce the appeal
waiver, we turn to the merits of Ronquillo’s appeal. See United States v. Story,
439 F.3d 226, 231 (5th Cir. 2006).
      Claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are resolved on direct appeal
only when the record allows this court “‘to evaluate fairly the merits of the
claim.’” United States v. Nguyen, 504 F.3d 561, 575-76 (5th Cir. 2007). The
record in the instant case presents such a scenario. The record belies Ronquillo’s
argument that counsel did not argue facts that would support an adjustment in
his offense level for a minor role in the offense.      Counsel objected to the
probation officer’s decision not to include such an adjustment. He also argued
at sentencing that Ronquillo made no money from his offense and that he was
a minor participant. Moreover, the career offender guideline, U.S.S.G. § 4B1.1,
authorizes only an adjustment based on acceptance of responsibility. See, e.g.,
United States v. Jeter, 329 F.3d 1229, 1230 (11th Cir. 2003) (citing to First,
Third, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits). Ronquillo’s argument that counsel
was ineffective for failing to argue that he was entitled to an adjustment for his
minor role lacks bases in fact and in law.
      AFFIRMED.

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