Court Opinion

ID: 3022886
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-13 22:27:52.925175+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:40:28.872206
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                            FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
                                     ___________

                                     No. 98-1974
                                     ___________

United States of America,            *
                                     *
                  Appellee,          * Appeal from the United States
                                     * District Court for the Eastern
      v.                             * District of Missouri.
                                     *
Robert Makoi, also known as Khosrow *       [UNPUBLISHED]
Djalaipour,                          *
                                     *
                  Appellant.         *
                                ___________

                            Submitted: June 3, 1999
                                Filed: June 9, 1999
                                   ___________

Before HANSEN, FAGG, and MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD, Circuit Judges.
                           ___________

PER CURIAM.

       Robert Makoi pleaded guilty to conspiring to execute a scheme to defraud a
financial institution by means of false pretense and executing a scheme to defraud a
financial institution. In this appeal, Makoi challenges the district court's calculations
under the sentencing guidelines. The government contends, however, that Makoi
knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to appeal. We agree and dismiss the
appeal.

      Makoi's plea agreement contains the following language:
      [Makoi] has been fully apprised of his right to appeal by his attorney and
      fully understands that he has a right to appeal his sentence under 18
      U.S.C. § 3742. [The] defendant understands that as part of this
      agreement, both the defendant and the Government hereby mutually agree
      to waive all rights to appeal whatever sentence is imposed, including any
      issues that relate to the establishment of the Guideline range, reserving
      only the right to appeal from an upward or downward departure from the
      Guideline range that is established at sentencing.

In our view, the waiver language in the plea agreement is clear, and Makoi is not
appealing from an upward departure. We thus conclude Makoi waived his right to
bring this appeal. Makoi was 31 years old with three years of college and some
experience with the criminal justice system when he entered his plea. Makoi does not
contend his waiver was made unknowingly or involuntarily, and his sentence does not
conflict with the plea agreement. See United States v. Michelsen, 141 F.3d 867, 871-
72 (8th Cir.) (defendant may waive his right to appeal if waiver is result of knowing
and voluntary decision; examining personal characteristics of defendant and
circumstances surrounding plea agreement when considering knowledge and
voluntariness of waiver), cert. denied, 119 S. Ct. 363 (1998); United States v. Rutan,
956 F.2d 827, 829-30 & n.3 (8th Cir. 1992).

      We thus enforce Makoi's waiver and dismiss his appeal. See United States v.
Williams, 160 F.3d 450, 452 (8th Cir. 1998) (per curiam).

      A true copy.

             Attest:

                     CLERK, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTH CIRCUIT.

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