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NOT FOR PUBLICATION.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 Alicemarie H. Stotler, District Judge, Presiding.
Before KOZINSKI, T.G. NELSON and TALLMAN, 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.
Bernardo Perez-Rios appeals his 70-month sentence imposed following his
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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.
Perez-Rios 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). As Perez-Rios concedes in his reply brief, his contention is foreclosed by our decision in United States v. Pacheco-Zepeda, 234 F.3d 411, 415 (9th Cir.2000) (concluding that Apprendi did not overrule the Supreme 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), cert. denied, 532 U.S. 966, 121 S.Ct. 1503, 149 L.Ed.2d 388 (2001).
AFFIRMED.