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U.S. v. Saenz

United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Jan 4, 2010
358 F. App'x 590 (5th Cir. 2010)

Opinion

No. 08-10990 Summary Calendar.

January 4, 2010.

Daniel D. Guess, U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas, Dallas, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee.

Aldo Saenz, Seagoville, TX, for Defendant-Appellant.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, USDC No. 3:06-CR-192-28.

Before KING, STEWART, and HAYNES, Circuit Judges.


Aldo Saenz appeals the 262-month sentence imposed following his guilty plea conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance and money laundering. He argues that the district court erred by denying him a minor-role adjustment. He also contends that his sentence was unreasonable.

The district court did not clearly err in denying the minor-role adjustment. See United States v. Villanueva, 408 F.3d 193, 203 n. 9 (5th Cir. 2005). Saenz distributed at least 590 kilograms of cocaine and used his automotive store as a distribution point for large amounts of cocaine and drug proceeds. Moreover, Saenz's sentence was based on conduct in which he was directly involved. A reduction is not required when the defendant's sentence is based upon his own conduct rather than a larger conspiracy. United States v. Atanda, 60 F.3d 196, 199 (5th Cir. 1995).

Saenz also argues that his sentence is unreasonable because his criminal behavior was not violent; he has no prior criminal history; and the likelihood of recidivism is low. Because the sentence imposed by the district court was within the advisory guidelines range of 262-327 months of imprisonment, it is entitled to a presumption of reasonableness. See Rita v. United States, 551 U.S. 338, 347, 127 S.Ct. 2456, 168 L.Ed.2d 203 (2007); United States v. Alonzo, 435 F.3d 551, 554 (5th Cir. 2006). Saenz has not shown sufficient reason for this court to disturb that presumption. Accordingly, the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.


Summaries of

U.S. v. Saenz

United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Jan 4, 2010
358 F. App'x 590 (5th Cir. 2010)
Case details for

U.S. v. Saenz

Case Details

Full title:UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Aldo SAENZ…

Court:United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Date published: Jan 4, 2010

Citations

358 F. App'x 590 (5th Cir. 2010)