USA v. Rogers

Filing 920070404

Opinion

United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit

F I L E D
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT April 4, 2007 Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 05-40272 Summary Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus PHILLIS ANN ROGERS, Defendant-Appellant. -------------------Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. 5:04-CR-866-ALL ------------------Before REAVLEY, GARZA and BENAVIDES, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Phyllis Ann Rogers appeals the concurrent 27-month sentences she received following a jury trial on two counts of transporting undocumented aliens in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324. The

district court imposed a sentence enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2L1.1(b)(5) on the basis that Rogers transported the four individuals in the rear cargo area of a minivan, covered in newspaper and a layer of wrought iron and ceramic goods. Rogers

asserts that the enhancement was unwarranted because the aliens were not exposed to the elements, had adequate oxygen, were able 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 05-40272 -2to communicate with her, and easily could have extricated themselves in an emergency. The Government asserts that, during

an accident or other sharp maneuver, the aliens could have been injured or killed by flying wrought iron, trapped by the debris, or overlooked by emergency personnel. The Government also notes

that the men were sweating profusely when the covering newspaper was removed. We review the district court's application of the Guidelines de novo and the court's factual findings for clear error. United

States v. Villanueva, 408 F.3d 193, 202, 203 n.9 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 126 S. Ct. 268 (2005). With respect to the The court

district court's factual findings, we find no error.

relied upon the Presentence Report (PSR) in determining that the enhancement was warranted. The facts contained in the PSR are Border patrol agents

supported by the evidence in the record.

testified during Rogers's trial that the men were lying side by side, surrounded by newspaper, and covered by "a bunch of" wrought iron and ceramic items that limited their movement. agents testified that the men were "sweating a lot" when the newspaper was removed. In addition, the aliens testified by The

deposition that boxes were placed on top of them. The enhancement under § 2L1.1(b)(5) is warranted where "the offense involved intentionally or recklessly creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another person." In United States v. Zuniga-Amezquita, 468 F.3d 886, 890

No. 05-40272 -3(5th Cir. 2006), we held that transporting aliens in the cargo area of a van with boxes and luggage piled high around them warranted the enhancement because the aliens' ability to exit the vehicle was impeded and the items could have struck them in an accident. Id. We listed several non-exclusive factors to

consider in determining whether the enhancement is proper: (1) whether oxygen was available to the individuals being transported; (2) their exposure to extreme temperatures; (3) their ability to communicate with the driver; (4) their ability to exit the vehicle quickly; and (5) the danger to them if an accident were to occur. Id. at 889. The

The § 2L1.1(b)(5) enhancement was proper in this case.

aliens were covered in stifling newspaper, and their movements were restricted by the heavy iron and ceramics, which could have become dangerous projectiles during an accident. Moreover, the

record shows that the rear door to the minivan was inoperable, making a quick exit more difficult. F.3d at 890. The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED. See Zuniga-Amezquita, 468