United States v. Raymond Mendez

MEMORANDUM

Raymond Mendez appeals from the district court’s order denying his motion for a reduction of sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 3582 (c)(2). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

Mendez first contends that the district court erred in concluding that Mendez is ineligible for a sentence reduction under section 3582(c)(2). This contention is foreclosed by United States v. Leniear, 574 F.3d 668, 673 (9th Cir.2009) (holding that a defendant is not eligible for a sentence reduction under section 3582(c)(2) when the application of that amendment does not result in a lower sentencing range). Here, the district court appropriately found at sentencing that Mendez was responsible for the distribution of 139 kilograms of crack cocaine. This finding of fact maintained Mendez’s base offense level at 38, which did not lower his sentencing range. See Leniear, 574 F.3d at 673-74 .

Mendez also contends that the district court procedurally erred in imposing his sentence by failing to address his mitigating argument and to adequately explain the reasons for declining to impose a lower sentence. He further contends that his guideline sentence is substantively unreasonable…