904 F2d 41 United States v. Fernandez-Valencia

904 F.2d 41

Unpublished Disposition

NOTICE: Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3 provides that dispositions other than opinions or orders designated for publication are not precedential and should not be cited except when relevant under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, or collateral estoppel.

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Manuel FERNANDEZ-VALENCIA, Defendant-Appellant.

No. 89-50320.

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.

Submitted May 24, 1990.*
Decided May 29, 1990.

Before SCHROEDER, REINHARDT and DAVID R. THOMPSON, Circuit Judges.

1

MEMORANDUM**

2

Manuel Fernandez-Valencia appeals his sentence, imposed under the United States Sentencing Guidelines (Guidelines), following his guilty plea for importing marijuana into the United States in violation of 21 U.S.C. Secs. 952 and 960. Fernandez-Valencia contends that the district court erred by refusing to depart downward from the Guidelines. We dismiss the appeal.

3

Fernandez-Valencia asserts that the assignment of a criminal history category three to him "over-represents" his criminal history and that, therefore, he deserves a downward departure from the Guidelines. Fernandez-Valencia states that his prior misdemeanor drunk driving convictions in 1979, 1982, and 1988 reveal that he has a drinking problem but are of little relevance to sentencing for the crime of illegal transportation of marijuana. Therefore, Fernandez-Valencia argues, this prior criminal conduct should not have been considered in imposing a sentence on him.

4

"[A] district court's discretionary decision not to depart downward from the Guidelines is not subject to review on appeal." United States v. Morales, No. 89-11068, slip op. 2423, 2430 (9th Cir. March 5, 1990).

5

Here, the district court was presented with Fernandez-Valencia's arguments calling for a downward departure at sentencing and did not find those arguments compelling. The judge of the district court explicitly stated that, "I have a problem finding justification to go lower than the 27 months. So I can't find any reason to go below that." Fernandez-Valencia's base offense level is 18. U.S.S.G. Sec. 2D1.1(a)3. His adjusted offense level is 16 because of his acceptance of responsibility for his crime. Due to his prior misdemeanor convictions, Fernandez-Valencia received a criminal history category of III. Therefore, the Guideline range for sentence is 27-33 months. U.S.S.G. Ch. 5 Part A. The imposition of a 27 month sentence is within the properly exercised discretion of the district court and Fernandez-Valencia's request for a downward departure is not subject to our review. See Morales, No. 89-1-168, slip op. at 2430.

6

Because the request for a downward departure is not subject to our review, we need not decide whether or not Fernandez-Valencia's agreement not to appeal as part of his plea bargain is a valid waiver of his right to appeal.

7

DISMISSED.

*

The panel unanimously finds this case suitable for disposition without oral argument. Fed.R.App.P. 34(a); 9th Cir.R. 34-4

**

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by 9th Cir.R. 36-3