United States v. Camacho , 169 F. App'x 375 ( 2006 )

United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
F I L E D
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT February 27, 2006
Charles R. Fulbruge III
Clerk
No. 04-20647
Summary Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
RICARDO CAMACHO,
Defendant-Appellant.
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Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Southern District of Texas
USDC No. 4:04-CR-26-1
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Before REAVLEY, DAVIS and PRADO, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Ricardo Camacho appeals the sentence imposed following his
guilty-plea conviction of conspiracy with intent to distribute
more than five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count on the
underlying possession with intent to distribute, in violation of
21 U.S.C. § 841. The district court sentenced Camacho to 96
months in prison, based on relevant-conduct drug quantity and a
finding that Camacho was not a “minor” participant in the
conspiracy.
*
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this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except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. 04-20647
-2-
Camacho contends that his sentence is illegal under United
States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S. Ct. 738 (2005), because it
was based on a drug quantity that was not alleged in the
indictment and proved or admitted and because the sentence was
imposed pursuant to a mandatory application of the federal
sentencing guidelines. He thus alleges both “Booker” error and
“Fanfan” error. See United States v. Walters, 418 F.3d 461, 463
(5th Cir. 2005).
Neither a Booker nor a Fanfan error is structural error.
See United States v. Martinez-Lugo, 411 F.3d 597, 601 (5th Cir.),
cert. denied, 126 S. Ct. 464 (2005). There was no Sixth
Amendment violation because Camacho’s sentence was based on facts
he admitted at rearraignment. See Booker, 125 S. Ct. at 756;
United States v. Valenzuela-Quevedo, 407 F.3d 728, 733 (5th
Cir.), cert. denied, 126 S. Ct. 267 (2005).
The Government concedes that the preserved Fanfan error is
subject to review for harmless error. See Walters, 418 F.3d 461,
464. The Government fails to show beyond a reasonable doubt that
the district court’s error had no effect on Camacho’s sentence.
We therefore remand the case for the district court to decide
whether resentencing is appropriate.
Camacho contends that the district court erred by refusing
to reduce his offense level based on his minor role in the
conspiracy. The record shows that he did more than transport the
drugs, and the finding of the court is not clearly erroneous.
Camacho contends that 21 U.S.C. § 841 is facially
unconstitutional in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466No. 04-20647
-3-
(2000), because it treats drug type and quantity as sentencing
factors instead of as elements of the offense which must be
alleged in the indictment and proved to a jury. Apprendi did not
render § 841 unconstitutional. United States v. Slaughter, 238
F.3d 580, 582 (5th Cir. 2000). Camacho concedes that his
argument is foreclosed by Slaughter; he raises it only to
preserve it for possible future review.
CONVICTION AFFIRMED; case REMANDED for consideration of the
sentence.