Opinion
The panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).
NOT FOR PUBLICATION. (See Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure Rule 36-3)
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Audrey B. Collins, District Judge, Presiding.
Before LEAVY, THOMAS and RAWLINSON, Circuit Judges.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as may be provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
Javier Ortega-Ramirez appeals his 77-month sentence imposed following his guilty plea conviction for illegally reentering the United States following deportation, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742. We affirm.
Ortega-Ramirez contends that the district court improperly enhanced his sentence on the basis of prior aggravated felony convictions that were not charged in the indictment, submitted to a jury, or proved beyond a reasonable doubt, citing Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000). Ortega-Ramirez's contention is foreclosed by our recent decision in United States v. Pacheco-Zepeda, 234 F.3d 411, 413 (9th Cir.2001) (concluding that Apprendi did not overrule the Court's holding in Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998), that prior aggravated felonies need not be alleged in the indictment, submitted to a jury, or proved beyond a reasonable doubt).
AFFIRMED.