United States v. Salgado-Bustamante

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 01-40933 Conference Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus JAIME SALGADO-BUSTAMANTE, Defendant-Appellant. -------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. M-00-CR-499-1 -------------------- August 20, 2002 Before HIGGINBOTHAM, DAVIS, and PARKER, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Jaime Salgado-Bustamante (“Salgado”) appeals the sentencing following his guilty plea for possession with the intent to distribute marijuana. Salgado argues that the district court erred in denying application of the safety-valve provided in U.S.S.G. § 5C1.2 because he timely provided to the Government truthful information and evidence concerning the offense. * 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 01-40933 -2- Under § 5C1.2, the district court may sentence a defendant without regard to the statutory minimum sentence if it is determined, inter alia, that the defendant truthfully provided the Government with “all information and evidence the defendant has concerning the offense[.]” § 5C1.2(5). The district court’s decision whether to apply § 5C1.2 is reviewed for clear error. United States v. Flanagan, 80 F.3d 143, 145 (5th Cir. 1996). This court reviews the district court’s legal interpretation of § 5C1.2 de novo. See id. The district court’s independent determination that Salgado’s statement was not truthful is supported by the record and, therefore, the district court did not err in finding that Salgado was ineligible for the safety valve sentence adjustment. See id. Salgado’s sentence is AFFIRMED.