USA v. Garza

Filing 920070723

Opinion

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United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT July 23, 2007 Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 06-41326 Summary Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus JOSE ROSENDO GARZA, Defendant-Appellant. -------------------Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. 5:05-CR-2401-ALL -------------------Before JONES, Chief Judge, and JOLLY and OWEN, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Jose Rosendo Garza appeals his sentence following his guiltyplea conviction for possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. He argues that the district court erred in denying him a minor-role adjustment to his offense level under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2(b). Garza asserts that he was a minor participant because he was a courier and had limited knowledge of the conspiracy and drugs transported. 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. * As Garza did not preserve this issue in the district court, we review for plain error. See United States v. Washington, 480 F.3d Pursuant to § 3B1.2 (b), a district 309, 313 (5th Cir. 2007). court may decrease a defendant's offense level by two levels if the defendant was a minor participant. An adjustment for a minor role applies to a defendant "who is less culpable that most other participants, but whose role could not be described as minimal." § 3B1.2, comment. (n.5). denying Garza a The district court did not plainly err in adjustment. Accordingly, Garza's minor-role sentence is affirmed. Although Garza's sentence is affirmed, there is a clerical error in the record. The indictment and plea agreement charged Garza with possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, whereas the judgment reflected that Garza was convicted of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 kilograms of methamphetamine. Accordingly, this matter is remanded to the district court for correction of the clerical error in the judgment pursuant to FED. R. CRIM. P. 36. AFFIRMED; JUDGMENT REMANDED FOR CORRECTION OF CLERICAL ERROR IN 2

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