United States v. Steven Ranes

MEMORANDUM

Steven Anthony Ranes appeals the district court’s denial of his motion to dismiss an indictment charging him with failing to register as a sex offender in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2250 (a). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We affirm the conviction but remand to the district court to conform the written judgment to the oral pronouncement of sentence.

At the time of his arrest, Ranes was required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), 42 U.S.C. § 16913 , to register and keep his registration current, notwithstanding Washington state’s failure to adopt a registration scheme that complies with SORNA. United States v. George, 625 F.3d 1124, 1128-30 (9th Cir.2010). Further, George squarely rejected each of the constitutional challenges to SORNA that Ranes makes on appeal. Id. at 1128-31 .

Ranes argues that the facts set forth in the plea agreement do not amount to a violation of SORNA. We conclude that Ranes is bound by his knowing and voluntary waiver of the right to appeal his conviction and sentence. See United States v. Leniear, 574 F.3d 668, 672 (9th Cir.2009). In some circumstances, a defendant may appeal a conviction…