United States v. Morales-Agustine

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit No. 06-41349 F I L E D Conference Calendar August 8, 2007 Charles R. Fulbruge III UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Clerk Plaintiff-Appellee v. JESUS FRANCISCO MORALES-AGUSTINE Defendant-Appellant Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. 5:04-CR-921 Before DENNIS, CLEMENT, and PRADO, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Appealing the Judgment in a Criminal Case, Jesus Francisco Morales- Agustine (Morales) argues that the enhancement provisions of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b) are unconstitutional. To the extent his arguments may be raised in this appeal following remand, United States v. Matthews, 312 F.3d 652, 657 (5th Cir. 2002), Morales’s arguments are foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 235 (1998), which held that 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(2) is a penalty provision and not a separate criminal offense. The appellant's motion for summary * 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 06-41349 disposition is GRANTED, and the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED. 2