United States v. Riva-Mera-Ocampo

* 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this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except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.
United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
F I L E D
July 6, 2005
Charles R. Fulbruge III
Clerk
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 04-50485
Summary Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
JUAN CARLOS RIVA-MERA-OCAMPO,
Defendant-Appellant.
--------------------
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Western District of Texas
USDC No. 3:03-CR-2031-ALL-KC
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Before REAVLEY, JOLLY, and HIGGINBOTHAM, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Juan Carlos Riva-Mera-Ocampo (Riva) appeals his conviction
and sentence imposed on a guilty-plea for fraud and misuse of
visas, permits, and other documents. 18 U.S.C. § 1546. Riva
argues that there was an insufficient basis to support his guilty
plea and that the district court erred in assigning an adjustment
under the sentencing guidelines.
As Riva concedes, he did not challenge the factual basis for
his plea in district court, therefore the issue is reviewable for

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No. 04-50485
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plain error only. See United States v. Vonn, 535 U.S. 55, 59
(2002). Both Riva’s information and factual basis in support of
his plea agreement reflect that he presented a permanent resident
alien card issued to a “Jose Gonzalez-Granados” and that Riva
represented himself to be that person. The transcript from
Riva’s plea hearing reflects that the district court thoroughly
questioned Riva regarding his understanding of the information
and factual basis. Riva stated that he understood the nature of
the charge and that he was voluntarily entering his guilty plea.
Accordingly, the district court did not commit plain error in
accepting the factual basis for Riva’s guilty plea. See Vonn,
535 U.S. at 59.
Riva also argues that the district court erred in assigning
an adjustment to his sentencing guidelines range based upon the
use of a passport or visa in the commission of a felony offense
pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2L2.2(c)(1)(Nov. 2003). Riva’s plea
agreement provided for a waiver of the right to appeal any
sentence except for an upward departure from the guideline range.
During the plea hearing, Riva stated that he understood the
appeal waiver provision contained in his plea agreement. See
United States v. Melancon, 972 F.2d 566, 567 (5th Cir. 1992).
Because Riva entered a voluntary plea agreement containing a
waiver provision and because the district court imposed a
sentence within the relevant guideline range, Riva’s challenge to
his sentence is waived on appeal. See United States v. McKinney,

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No. 04-50485
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406 F.3d 744 (5th Cir. 2005).
Accordingly, the judgment and sentence of the district court
are AFFIRMED.

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