Court Opinion

ID: 30012
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-25 09:48:54+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:38:22.924192
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                        FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

                            No. 02-20095
                          Summary Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                          Plaintiff-Appellee,

versus

CARLOS D. QUINTANILLA-ALCANTARA,

                                          Defendant-Appellant.

                       - - - - - - - - - -
          Appeal from the United States District Court
               for the Southern District of Texas
                    USDC No. H-01-CR-356-ALL
                       - - - - - - - - - -
                         January 15, 2003

Before KING, Chief Judge, and JOLLY and WIENER, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

     Carlos D. Quintanilla-Alcantara (“Quintanilla”) appeals his

conviction and sentence for possession with intent to distribute

500 grams or more of cocaine, in violation of   21 U.S.C. § 841.

He argues that 21 U.S.C. § 841 is unconstitutional in light of

the Supreme Court’s decision in Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S.

466 (2000).    This argument is foreclosed by this court’s decision

     *
        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that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent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. 02-20095
                                 -2-

in United States v. Slaughter, 238 F.3d 580, 582 (5th Cir. 2000),

cert. denied, 532 U.S. 1045 (2001).

     Quintanilla argues that the district court clearly erred in

refusing to award a two-level reduction in his guideline range on

the basis that he was a minor participant in the offense.   See

U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1.   However, a defendant “may be a courier without

being substantially less culpable that the average participant.”

United States v. Brown, 54 F.3d 234, 241 (5th Cir. 1995).   The

district court did not err in refusing to give Quintanilla the

minor role adjustment.   See United States v. Gallegos, 868 F.2d

711, 713 (5th Cir. 1989).   Further, the district court was not

required to state its reasons for denying the reduction because

it expressly adopted the findings and conclusions of the

presentence report.   See United States v. Gallardo-Trapero, 185

F.3d 307, 323-24 (5th Cir. 1999).

     AFFIRMED.