Court Opinion

ID: 9388815
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-04-21 18:00:45.300129+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:18:22.869097
License: Public Domain

Case: 22-40394        Document: 00516720537             Page: 1      Date Filed: 04/21/2023

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

                                                                                     FILED
                                      No. 22-40394                              April 21, 2023
                                    Summary Calendar                           Lyle W. Cayce
                                    ____________                                    Clerk

   United States of America,

                                                                      Plaintiff—Appellee,

                                            versus

   Juan Sepulveda-Arreola,

                                              Defendant—Appellant.
                     ______________________________

                     Appeal from the United States District Court
                         for the Southern District of Texas
                              USDC No. 7:21-CR-909-2
                     ______________________________

   Before King, Higginson, and Willett, Circuit Judges.
   Per Curiam: *
         Juan Sepulveda-Arreola appeals the sentence imposed following his
   conviction for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of
   methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully present
   in the United States. We review his complaint about the denial of a minor

         _____________________
         *
             This opinion is not designated for publication. See 5th Cir. R. 47.5.
Case: 22-40394      Document: 00516720537          Page: 2   Date Filed: 04/21/2023

                                    No. 22-40394

   role adjustment for clear error. United States v. Gomez-Valle, 828 F.3d 324,
   327 (5th Cir. 2016).
          Section 3B1.2 “provides a range of adjustments for a defendant who
   plays a part in committing the offense that makes him substantially less
   culpable than the average participant in the criminal activity.” U.S.S.G.
   § 3B1.2, comment. (n.3(A)). A “minor participant” is any participant “who
   is less culpable than most other participants in the criminal activity, but
   whose role could not be described as minimal.” § 3B1.2, comment. (n.5). A
   decision whether to grant a minor role adjustment is “based on the totality of
   the circumstances and involves a determination that is heavily dependent
   upon the facts of the particular case.” § 3B1.2, comment. (n.3(C)).
          Contrary to Sepulveda-Arreola’s assertion, he had the burden of
   demonstrating his entitlement to a minor or minimal role adjustment. See
   United States v. Castro, 843 F.3d 608, 612 (5th Cir. 2016). Although a
   defendant “should be considered for an adjustment” if he “does not have a
   proprietary interest in the criminal activity and . . . is simply being paid to
   perform certain tasks,” the commentary merely states that a reduction is
   allowed, not that it is required. § 3B1.2, comment. (n.3(C)). Sepulveda-
   Arreola’s involvement in multiple incidents of drug transportation, as well as
   his connection to a large quantity of narcotics, support the inference that he
   understood the scope of the criminal activity and played more than a minor
   role. See U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1, comment. (n.3(C)(i), (iv)). Thus, the district
   court could have plausibly found, based on the record as a whole, that his
   actions were not minor. See Gomez-Valle, 828 F.3d at 328.
          The district court’s judgment is AFFIRMED.

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