United States v. Ignasio Maldenaldo Sanchez , 242 F.3d 1294 ( 2001 )

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Ignasio Maldenaldo SANCHEZ, Defendant-Appellant.
United States of America, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Santiago Gilberto Sanchez, Defendant-Appellant.
Nos. 00-13347, 00-13447
Non-Argument Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals,
Eleventh Circuit.
Feb. 26, 2001.
Appeals from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. (No. 98-00049-CR-HLM-
4-5), Harold L. Murphy, Judge.
Before BIRCH, BARKETT and WILSON, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:
Appellants Ignasio Sanchez and Santiago Sanchez pled guilty to and were convicted of one count of
conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and amphetamine, in violation
of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846. Ignasio Sanchez appeals his 87-month sentence and Santiago Sanchez appeals his
108-month sentence.
Both Appellants assert that, in light of the rule announced in Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466,
120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), any fact that increases the penalty for an offense beyond the
prescribed statutory maximum must be charged in the indictment, submitted to the jury, and proved beyond
a reasonable doubt. More specifically, appellants aver that by extension of Apprendi principles to this case,
because their original indictment failed to allege the drug quantity in their offense, the judgment against them
should be vacated.
The appellants also argue that the district court erred in enhancing their sentence under U.S.S.G. §
2D1.1 for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug transaction. They contend that the government
witness' testimony at their sentencing hearing did not connect any weapons to the drug conspiracy. Further,
the appellants assert that, in light of Apprendi, the firearm enhancement must be proved beyond a reasonable
doubt.
In addition, Ignasio Sanchez contends, for the first time on appeal, that his plea was unintelligent and
involuntary because the drug quantity was not alleged in the indictment. He asserts that he should receive
proper and adequate notice via a superseding indictment and be allowed to plead anew.
Santiago Sanchez likewise asserts, for the first time on appeal, that his plea is defective and void for
lack of proper notice because the drug quantity was not alleged in the indictment.
Because both appellants raise substantially the same issues on appeal, we address their claims
simultaneously.1
BACKGROUND
A federal grand jury returned a single-count indictment against Ignasio, co-defendant Santiago, and
four other co-defendants, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute
methamphetamine and amphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846. The quantity of
methamphetamine and amphetamine involved in the offense was not alleged in the indictment. Ignasio filed
a motion to dismiss the indictment for failing to include the drug quantity, that was subsequently denied by
the district court. In a written plea agreement, Ignasio pled guilty to the single count of the indictment while
reserving the right to appeal the district court's order denying Ignasio's motion to dismiss the indictment.
Santiago pled guilty without a plea agreement and later adopted Ignasio's motion to dismiss. At the plea
hearing, the district court advised both Ignasio and Santiago that their sentences would be based on the
amount of drugs for which they were held responsible at sentencing.
Ignasio, Santiago and the government submitted written objections to the findings in the pre-sentence
investigation reports (PSI). All parties objected to the quantity of the distributed drugs. Ignasio and Santiago
also objected to the PSI's recommendation that the offense level should be increased two levels for possessing
a firearm during the offense of conviction. At sentencing, appellants advised the district court that they
agreed to be held accountable for two pounds of methamphetamine (which converts to a marijuana
equivalency of 1,815.84 kilograms of marijuana) and twelve pounds of amphetamine (which converts to a
marijuana equivalency of 1,087.2 kilograms of marijuana), totaling a marijuana equivalency of 2,903.04
kilograms. The district court then found them both accountable for a marijuana equivalency of 2,903.04
kilograms.
1
The surname of Sanchez will be used to refer to both Ignasio and Santiago Sanchez throughout this
decision.
With regard to the PSI recommendation for a two-level firearm enhancement, the government
presented the testimony of Kenneth Green. Green described various drug transactions he had with Ignasio
and Santiago where Green delivered guns as partial payments for the drugs he received from them. Green
also testified that, following his arrest, he took law enforcement authorities to a storage center where Green
had stored four or five rifles and shotguns. After hearing Green's testimony, the district court found Green
to be credible and determined that both appellants offense levels would be increased two levels for possessing
a firearm during the charged drug offense. The court then granted Ignasio a two-level "role in the offense"
reduction and a three-level downward adjustment for acceptance of responsibility. The court sentenced
Ignasio to 87 months' imprisonment. Santiago received a 108-month sentence.
DISCUSSION
I.
Ignasio and Santiago Sanchez assert that in light of Apprendi, the district court erred in denying their
motions to dismiss the indictment for failure to allege the drug quantity.2 The applicability of Apprendi is
a pure question of law that this Court reviews de novo. See United States v. Shepard, 235 F.3d 1295, 1296
(11th Cir.2000).
In Apprendi, the Supreme Court held that "[o]ther than the fact of a prior conviction, any fact that
increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed statutory maximum must be submitted to the jury, and
proven beyond a reasonable doubt." Apprendi, 120 S.Ct. at 2362-63. The indictment in this case charged
appellants with violating 21 U.S.C. § 846 by knowingly and intentionally conspiring to possess with intent
to distribute an unspecified amount of methamphetamine and amphetamine. The offenses set out in § 846,
are punished under § 841(b), which prescribes different maximum sentences depending on the type and
quantity of the controlled substance involved. See 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a, b). For methamphetamine and
amphetamine, § 841(b)(1)(C) provides for a maximum sentence of twenty years, regardless of the quantity
involved in the offense. See 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C). Section 841(b)(1)(B) provides for a sentence of not
less than five years and not more than forty years, where at least five (5) grams of pure methamphetamine
or at least 50 grams of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine is involved. See 21
2
Both the Sanchez appellants were charged in the grand jury indictment with a violation of 21 U.S.C.
§ 846 conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine and amphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C.
§ 841. The indictment does not specify under which subsection of section 841 the offense occurred.
When the appellants entered into plea agreements, they preserved the right to object to the alleged
deficiencies in the indictment and the drug quantity.
U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(B)(viii). Section 841(b)(1)(A) provides for a sentence of imprisonment ranging from not
less than ten years to not more than life, where at least 50 grams of pure methamphetamine or at least 500
grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine is involved. See 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A)(viii).
We have held that, "drug quantity in sections 841(b)(1)(A) and 841(b)(1)(B) cases must be charged
in the indictment and proven to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt." United States v. Rogers, 228 F.3d 1318,
1327 (11th Cir.2000). Recently, we found, however, that although the defendant's indictment failed to allege
drug quantity, there was no prejudice because the defendant was sentenced below the twenty-year maximum
provided by § 841(b)(1)(C). See Shepard, 235 F.3d at 1297. In the instant case, Ignasio was sentenced to
87 months, or 7 and 1/4 years, on the single-count conspiracy indictment. Santiago received a sentence of
108 months or 9 years. Given this Court's holding in Shepard, and because neither Sanchez was sentenced
to more than the statutory maximum of twenty years as set forth in § 841(b)(1)(C), they suffered no prejudice
under Apprendi. Thus, the district court's error, if any, was harmless. See Fed.R.Crim.P. 52(a).
II.
Both appellants claim, for the first time on appeal, that their pleas were unintelligent and involuntary
because the drug quantity was not alleged in the indictment. They contend that, had the district court notified
them of the attributable amounts of controlled substances and the resulting sentencing ranges, they may have
proceeded to trial. The Sanchez appellants aver that they should receive proper and adequate notice via a
superseding indictment and be allowed to plead anew. The government responds that neither appellants'
substantial rights were affected because neither challenged the government's factual basis for the plea. In his
reply brief, Ignasio asserts that it is not clear whether the absence of drug quantity in the indictment results
in a voluntary and knowing plea.
A court accepting a plea of guilty must comply with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, and in
particular, address three "core concerns" by ensuring that: (1) the guilty plea is voluntary, (2) the defendant
understands the nature of the charges, and (3) the defendant understands the consequences of his plea. See
United States v. Bell, 776 F.2d 965, 968 (11th Cir.1985)(per curiam). "Variance from the requirements of
Rule 11 should be disregarded unless substantial rights are affected." United States v. McCarty, 99 F.3d 383,
386 (11th Cir.1996)(per curiam) (citing Fed.R.Crim.P. 11(h)). Furthermore, when a defendant fails to object
to the district court's noncompliance with Rule 11, this Court reviews the issue for plain error only. See
United States v. Humphrey, 164 F.3d 585, 587 (11th Cir.1999). Plain error is that which is obvious and
prejudicial, affecting substantial rights of the defendant. See United States v. Ramsdale, 61 F.3d 825, 832
(11th Cir.1995) (citation omitted).
As stated above, in light of Apprendi, drug quantity is an element of the offense that must be charged
in the indictment. See Rogers, 228 F.3d at 1324. Here, the plea colloquy was technically inadequate because
the indictment did not contain drug quantity, arguably resulting in Ignasio's and Santiago's failure to
understand the nature of the charges against them. See Bell, 776 F.2d at 968. Both, however, were advised
during the plea colloquy that they could face 40 years or life in prison, depending on the quantity of drugs
for which they were held responsible. Further, the court advised them that their sentences would be based
on the amount of drugs for which they were found responsible at sentencing. Nevertheless, they pled guilty
to the indictment with that knowledge. Also, at the plea colloquy, the government provided the district court
with a factual basis for the offense conduct, which contained information that the appellants had been
involved in delivery of methamphetamine weighing approximately one kilogram. Neither Ignasio nor
Santiago contradicted the government's allegations regarding the distribution of drugs. Thus, their rights were
not substantially affected. See Ramsdale, 61 F.3d at 832. As such, we find once again that if any error was
committed, it was harmless.
III.
The Sanchezes assert that the district court erred in enhancing their sentence under U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1
for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug transaction. Specifically, they argue that government
witness Green's testimony at the sentencing hearing did not connect any weapons to the drug conspiracy.
Finally, they also contend that the firearm enhancement must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt in light
of Apprendi.3
Possession of a firearm is a factual finding reviewed for clear error, while application of the
guidelines to the facts is reviewed de novo. See United States v. Geffrard, 87 F.3d 448, 452 (11th Cir.1996).
Sentencing Guideline § 2D1.1(b)(1) provides for a two-level enhancement in the case of possession of a
firearm in furtherance of the crime. The commentary explains that "[t]he adjustment should be applied if the
weapon was present, unless it is clearly improbable that the weapon was connected with the offense."
U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(1), comment. (n.3). This Court has held that once the government shows by
3
It should be noted that the government's assertion that Sanchez did not preserve the firearm
enhancement issue on appeal is without merit. The government presented Green as a witness in response
to Ignasio's argument that the enhancement should not apply.
preponderance of the evidence that the weapon was present at the site of the charged conduct, the burden
shifts to the defendant to show that the connection between the firearm and the offense is clearly improbable.
See United States v. Hall, 46 F.3d 62, 63 (11th Cir.1995)(per curiam).
In the instant case, government witness Green testified to various drug transactions he had with
Ignasio and Santiago, where Green delivered guns as partial payments for the drugs he received from them.
Green also testified that, following his arrest, he took law enforcement authorities to a storage center where
Green had stored four or five rifles and shotguns. The district court specifically stated that it found Green's
testimony credible. Neither Sanchez presented evidence or argument to suggest that a connection between
the firearms and the drug-conspiracy conviction was clearly improbable, therefore the § 2D1.1(b)(1)
enhancement was appropriate.
Additionally, their argument that Apprendi requires that a reasonable doubt standard apply to a
firearm enhancement is without merit. Recently, in United States v. Nealy, this Court stated that the
Sentencing Guidelines are not subject to the Apprendi rule. 232 F.3d 825, 829 n. 3 (11th Cir.2000) (finding
that the Guidelines allow a judge to consider relevant conduct to determine overall drug quantity). Moreover,
the decision in Apprendi does not suggest that the Supreme Court intended its ruling to effect the Sentencing
Guidelines. See Apprendi, 120 S.Ct. at 2366 n. 21. The majority in Apprendi, in response to Justice
O'Connor's dissent, which expressed concern as to the majority decision's effect on the Sentencing Guidelines,
stated that its holding did not address the Guidelines. See id. The majority indicated that its decision did not
go beyond its ruling in Edwards v. United States, in which the Supreme Court noted that the maximum
sentence set by statute trumps a higher sentence set forth in the Guidelines. See id.; Edwards v. United
States, 523 U.S. 511, 515, 118 S.Ct. 1475, 140 L.Ed.2d 703 (1998).
Further, the Sentencing Guidelines clearly indicate that the Guidelines cannot be used to increase
the penalty beyond the statutory maximum. See U.S.S.G. § 5G1.1(a) ("[w]here the statutorily authorized
maximum sentence is less than the minimum of the applicable guideline range, the statutorily authorized
maximum sentence shall be the guideline sentence"). Because a finding under the Sentencing Guidelines
determines the sentence within the statutory range rather than outside it, the decision in Apprendi, which
addresses any increase in penalty for a crime outside the statutory maximum, has no application to the
Guidelines. Ignasio's two-level firearm enhancement placed him in a guideline range of 87-108 months. See
21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C). Santiago's enhancement placed him within the range of 108-135 months, both well
within the statutory range of 20 years for their offense. Accordingly, we affirm the district court's application
of the firearm enhancement.
CONCLUSION
We find that because the appellants were not sentenced to more than the statutory maximum of 20
years' imprisonment as set forth in 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C), there is no prejudice in light of Apprendi.
Further, we conclude that, because the appellants presented no evidence to suggest that a connection between
the firearms and the drug conspiracy was clearly improbable, the U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(1) firearm
enhancement was appropriate. The enhancement is also appropriate under Apprendi because precedent in
this Circuit indicates that the Sentencing Guidelines are not subject to the rule enunciated in Apprendi.
AFFIRMED.