83 F. App'x 613

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Francisco Javier ZAUCEDA-LOPEZ, Defendant-Appellant.

No. 03-10544.

Conference Calendar

United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.

Dec. 10, 2003.

Susan B. Cowger, US Attorney’s Office, Dallas, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.

Ira Raymond Kirkendoll, Federal Public Defender, Kevin Blake Ross, Federal Public Defender’s Office, Dallas, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.

Before DAVIS, EMILIO M. GARZA, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM.*

Francisco Javier Zauceda-Lopez appeals the sentence imposed following his guilty plea conviction of being found in the United States after deportation/removal in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. Zauceda-Lopez contends that 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b) define separate offenses. He argues that the prior conviction that resulted in his increased sentence is an element of a separate offense under 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b) that should have been alleged in his indictment. Zauceda-Lopez maintains that he pleaded guilty to an indictment which charged only simple reentry under 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a). He argues that his sentence exceeds the term of imprisonment which may be imposed for that offense.

In Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 235, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998), the Supreme Court held that the enhanced penalties in 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b) are sentencing provisions, not elements of separate offenses. *614The Court further held that the sentencing provisions do not violate the Due Process Clause. Id. at 239-47. Zauceda-Lopez acknowledges that his argument is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres, but asserts that the decision has been cast into doubt by Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 490, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000). He seeks to preserve his argument for further review.

Apprendi did not overrule Almendarez-Torres. See Apprendi, 530 U.S. at 489-90; United States v. Dabeit, 231 F.3d 979, 984 (5th Cir.2000). This court must follow Almendarez-Torres “unless and until the Supreme Court itself determines to overrule it.” Dabeit, 231 F.3d at 984 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.

The Government has moved for a summary affirmance in lieu of filing an appel-lee’s brief. In its motion, the Government asks that an appellee’s brief not be required. The motion is GRANTED.

AFFIRMED; MOTION GRANTED.

United States v. Zauceda-Lopez
83 F. App'x 613

Case Details

Name
United States v. Zauceda-Lopez
Decision Date
Dec 10, 2003
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83 F. App'x 613

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United States

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