USA v. Smith

Filing 920070105

Opinion

United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit

F I L E D
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT January 5, 2007 Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 06-50199 Summary Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus DAVID ALAN SMITH, Defendant-Appellant. -------------------Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. 1:05-CR-152-ALL -------------------Before JOLLY, DENNIS, and CLEMENT, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* David Alan Smith pleaded guilty, without a plea agreement, to all five counts of the indictment charging him with mail fraud; making a false claim against the United States; unlawful use of a means of identification; interstate transportation of stolen property; and money laundering. The district court

imposed a non-guideline sentence, varying from the guideline range of 41-51 months, of 60 months of imprisonment on counts 1 and 2, 120 months of imprisonment on counts 3-5, all to run

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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 06-50199 -2concurrently, and three years of supervised release on all counts. Smith appeals his sentence, arguing that his sentence is unreasonable because the district court failed to consider whether the aggravating factors it cited were adequately addressed by the advisory Sentencing Guidelines. He contends

that the district court also failed to account for several mitigating factors. Smith argues that although the district

court cited the seriousness of the offense as a basis for variance, the seriousness of a given offense is addressed by the Guidelines. He contends that the district court did not explain

why the Guideline for his offense, with its aggravating adjustments, was not adequate in his case. The district court adequately explained its reasons and did not err in considering the seriousness of the offense and the need to promote respect for the law in deciding to impose a nonguideline sentence. See United States v. Clements, 188 F. App'x

267, 271 (5th Cir. 2006). Smith also argues that the district court failed to explain why the Guidelines could not account for his criminal history. He also argues that the district court should have applied the policy statement in U.S.S.G. § 4A1.3 and should have departed in a structured manner based on his criminal history. The district court's sentence does not take into account an improper or irrelevant factor. Criminal history is one of the

No. 06-50199 -3factors that a district court may consider in imposing a nonguideline sentence, and consideration of convictions not accounted for by the Guidelines is appropriate. Smith, 440 F.3d 704, 709 (5th Cir. 2006). United States v.

Nothing in Smith

suggests that a district court must depart under § 4A1.3 rather than impose a non-guideline sentence based on inadequate criminal history. See Smith, 440 F.3d at 707-09.

Smith argues that given the extent of variance, which he considers to be excessive, the district court's reasons for imposing a non-guideline sentence were not sufficient. The

district court gave a detailed explanation for imposing a nonguideline sentence based upon proper factors. F.3d at 710. See Smith, 440

The extent of departure, in and of itself, is not a

basis for holding that a non-guideline sentence is unreasonable. United States v. Reinhart, 442 F.3d 857, 864 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 127 S. Ct. 131 (2006). Smith argues that the district court failed to account for significant mitigating factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). He

cites his attempts to lead a straight life, his motive for these offenses, his age and health, and Congress's goal of preventing unwarranted disparity in sentencing. It is apparent from the district court's statements at sentencing that the district court did not believe that Smith had attempted to go straight or that his latest crime was an

No. 06-50199 -4aberration prompted by an admirable motive. Smith did not raise

his age or health as mitigating factors in the district court. The district court's reasons for imposing sentence demonstrate that any disparity between Smith's sentence and other defendants would not be unwarranted. See Smith, 440 F.3d at 709.

The district court properly calculated and considered the guideline range, gave permissible reasons for variance, and its reasons demonstrate that the sentence imposed is reasonable under § 3553(a). See Smith, 440 F.3d at 710.

Smith argues that on the date he committed this offense, the guideline range was mandatory and that the maximum sentence he could receive was that provided for under the Guidelines. He

contends that the remedial portion of Booker's holding, which made the Guidelines advisory, may not be applied in his case without violating the Ex Post Facto and Due Process Clauses of the Constitution. Smith acknowledges that this court's opinion

in United States v. Scroggins, 411 F.3d 572 (5th Cir. 2005) rejected his argument, but he raises it to preserve it for further review. Smith was warned of the statutory maximum to which he was exposed at the time he entered his guilty plea. Smith has not

shown that the district court erred in sentencing him under Booker's remedial scheme. 598, 599 (5th Cir. 2005). Smith's sentence is AFFIRMED. See United States v. Austin, 432 F.3d