United States v. Victor Vega-Soto

MEMORANDUM

Victor Vega-Soto appeals from the district court’s judgment and challenges the 41-month sentence imposed following his guilty-plea conviction for being a deported alien found in the United States, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326 . We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

Vega-Soto contends that the district court procedurally erred by failing to respond to his non-frivolous arguments for a below-Guidelines sentence. Because Vega-Soto did not raise this procedural objection at sentencing, we review for plain error. See United States v. Valencia-Barragan, 608 F.3d 1103, 1108 (9th Cir.2010). The district court entertained Vega-Soto’s mitigating arguments regarding the application of the Guidelines, as reflected in its decision to depart downward five levels, and adequately explained the sentence. See United States v. Ayala-Nicanor, 659 F.3d 744, 752-53 (9th Cir.2011), ce rt. denied, — U.S. -, 132 S.Ct. 1941 , 182 L.Ed.2d 797 (2012).

Vega-Soto contends that his sentence violates Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348 , 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), but acknowledges that Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224 , 118 S.Ct. 1219 , 140…