United States v. Ibarra-Perez

United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT June 20, 2006 Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 05-41739 Conference Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus HUGO HUMBERTO IBARRA-PEREZ, also known as Hugo Ibarra-Perez, Defendant-Appellant. -------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. 1:05-CR-565-ALL -------------------- Before STEWART, DENNIS, and OWEN, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Hugo Humberto Ibarra-Perez (Ibarra) appeals his guilty plea conviction and sentence for reentry after deportation following a conviction for an aggravated felony. He contends that the “felony” and “aggravated felony” provisions of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b) are unconstitutional. The Government does not seek to enforce Ibarra’s appeal waiver; therefore, it is nonbinding. See United States v. Story, 439 F.3d 226, 231 (5th Cir. 2006). * 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 05-41739 -2- Ibarra’s constitutional challenge is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 235 (1998). Although Ibarra contends that Almendarez-Torres was incorrectly decided and that a majority of the Supreme Court would overrule Almendarez-Torres in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 (2000), we have repeatedly rejected such arguments on the basis that Almendarez-Torres remains binding. See United States v. Garza-Lopez, 410 F.3d 268, 276 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 126 S. Ct. 298 (2005). Ibarra properly concedes that his argument is foreclosed in light of Almendarez-Torres and circuit precedent, but he raises it here to preserve it for further review. AFFIRMED.