IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 00-40650
Conference Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
ERICK RAUL SAGASTUME-PORTILLO,
Defendant-Appellant.
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Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Southern District of Texas
USDC No. B-00-CR-43-1
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December 13, 2000
Before DAVIS, STEWART, and PARKER, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
In this appeal following his guilty-plea conviction for
illegally reentering the United States after having been
deported, Erick Raul Sagastume-Portillo argues that a prior
felony conviction is an element of the offense of illegal
reentry, and that because the element of a prior felony
conviction was not included in his indictment, his sentence
should be vacated and he should be resentenced under a maximum
term of two years. Portillo acknowledges that in Almendarez-
Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224 (1998), the Supreme Court
*
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that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent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. 00-40650
-2-
held that a prior felony conviction under 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(2)
was merely a sentencing factor and thus need not be included in
the indictment. He notes, however, that in its subsequent
decision in Apprendi v. New Jersey, 120 S. Ct. 2348, 2362 (2000),
the Supreme Court stated that it was arguable that Almendarez-
Torres was decided incorrectly.
Because Portillo failed to raise his challenge in the
district court, review is for plain error. See United States v.
Meshack, 225 F.3d 556, 575 (5th Cir. 2000).
In light of the clear precedent of Almendarez-Torres,
Portillo has failed to show error, plain or otherwise, in his
indictment or sentence. See United States v. Dabeit, F.3d
(5th Cir., Oct. 30, 2000, No. 00-10065) 2000 WL 1634264 at *4.
The judgment of the district court is thus AFFIRMED.