United States v. Patino-De La Torre

* 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this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except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.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 03-41446
Conference Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
MANUEL PATINO-DE LA TORRE,
Defendant-Appellant.
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Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Southern District of Texas
USDC No. L-02-CR-1602-1
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Before HIGGINBOTHAM, DAVIS, and PICKERING, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Manuel Patino-De La Torre (“Patino”) appeals his guilty plea
conviction and 70-month sentence for illegal reentry into the
United States following an aggravated felony conviction in
violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. For the first time on appeal,
Patino argues that the sentencing provisions of 8 U.S.C.
§ 1326(b)(1) & (b)(2) are unconstitutional in light of Apprendi
v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 (2000).
United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
F I L E D
August 18, 2004
Charles R. Fulbruge III
Clerk

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No. 03-41446
-2-
Patino acknowledges that his argument is foreclosed by
Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224 (1998), but he
seeks to preserve the issue for Supreme Court review. Apprendi
did not overrule Almendarez-Torres. See Apprendi, 530 U.S. at
489-90; United States v. Mancia-Perez, 331 F.3d 464, 470 (5th
Cir.), cert. denied, 124 S. Ct. 358 (2003).
AFFIRMED.

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