United States v. Krueck

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 01-41040 Summary Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus THOMAS GEORGE KRUECK, Defendant-Appellant. -------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. L-00-CR-1155-ALL -------------------- September 6, 2002 Before JOLLY, EMILIO M. GARZA, and PARKER, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Thomas George Krueck has appealed his conviction for possession with intent to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a) & (b)(1)(C). Krueck contends that, Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 (2000), the Government was required to prove that he knew the quantity of the drug involved in his offense. Krueck contends that the Government failed to prove that he knowingly possessed * 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 01-41040 -2- more than 50 kilograms of marijuana. Prior to Apprendi, the Government was not required to prove that the defendant knew the precise quantity or type of the drug he possessed. See United States v. Valencia-Gonzales, 172 F.3d 344, 345-46 (5th Cir. 1999). Apprendi did not overrule this jurisprudence. See United States v. Cazares-Ramirez, No. 01-40835 (5th Cir. Apr. 22, 2002) (unpublished); United States v. Puente-Vasquez, No. 01-40767 (5th Cir. Mar. 27, 2002) (unpublished); see also United States v. Collazo-Aponte, 281 F.3d 320, 326 (1st Cir. 2002), petition for cert. filed, No. 01-10893 (May 29, 2002); United States v. Barbosa, 271 F.3d 438, 459 (3d Cir. 2001); United States v. Sheppard, 219 F.3d 766, 768 n.2 (8th Cir. 2000), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 1200 (2001); United States v. Carrera, 259 F.3d 818, 830 (7th Cir. 2001). Krueck contends for the first time on appeal, that 21 U.S.C. § 841 is facially unconstitutional under Apprendi. He concedes that this contention is foreclosed by the jurisprudence of this court, but he seeks to preserve the issue for Supreme Court review. See United States v. Slaughter, 238 F.3d 580, 581 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 532 U.S. 1045 (2001). The judgment is AFFIRMED.