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176 F. App'x 522

United States v. Sorto

U.S. Courts of Appeals

Decided April 12, 2006

U.S. Courts of Appeals · decided 2006-04-12

Relies on Apprendi v. New Jersey · Almendarez-Torres v. United States · United States v. Garza-Lopez

Decided 2006-04-12

PER CURIAM: *

¶1Nelson Antonio Sorto appeals his guilty-plea conviction and sentence for illegal reentry. Sorto argues that the “felony” and “aggravated felony” provisions of 8 U.S.C. § 1826(b)(1) and (2) are unconstitutional.

¶2Sorto’s constitutional challenge is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 235, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998). Although Sorto contends that Almendarez-Torreswas incorrectly decided and that a majority of the Supreme Court would overrule Almendarez-Torresin light of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), we have repeatedly rejected such arguments on the basis that Almendarez-Torresremains binding. See United States v. Garza-Lopez, 410 F.3d 268, 276 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 126 S.Ct. 298, 163 L.Ed.2d 260 (2005). Sorto properly concedes that his argument is foreclosed in light of Almendarez-Torresand circuit precedent, but he raises it here to preserve it for further review.

¶3The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.

¶4 Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir R. 47.5.4.

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