United States v. Rodriguez

United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT December 10, 2003 Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 02-41694 Conference Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus RODOLFO ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ, Defendant-Appellant. -------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. L-02-CR-995-ALL -------------------- Before DAVIS, EMILIO M. GARZA, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Rodolfo Antonio Rodriguez pleaded guilty to illegal reentry following deportation, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. Rodriguez raises two issues that he concedes are foreclosed, but he seeks to preserve them for further review. Rodriguez argues that his prior conviction for possession of a controlled substance is not an aggravated felony under U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(C). This argument is foreclosed by our decision in * 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 02-41694 -2- United States v. Caicedo-Cuero, 312 F.3d 697, 705-11 (5th Cir. 2002), cert. denied, 123 S. Ct. 1948 (2003). Rodriguez argues that the sentencing provisions of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(1) and (b)(2) are unconstitutional in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 (2000). Rodriguez’s argument is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 235, 239-47 (1998). 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). AFFIRMED.