United States v. Pedro Rodriguez

MEMORANDUM

Rodriguez appeals from the 150-month sentence imposed following his guilty plea conviction for drug crimes involving importation of methamphetamine and cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 (a)(1), 952(a), and 963. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

Rodriguez contends that the district court erred at sentencing by denying him a minor role adjustment and failing to grant safety valve. Rodriguez asserts that the sentence imposed was procedurally flawed and substantively unreasonable.

The district court properly considered the particular facts regarding this particular defendant and did not clearly err by determining that Rodriguez was not eligible for the minor role adjustment. See United States v. Rodriguez-Castro, 641 F.3d 1189, 1193 (9th Cir.2011). Since Rodriguez repeatedly refused to answer questions related to his co-conspirators in the proffer, the district court did not clearly err in determining that Rodriguez did not meet his burden to show his eligibility for safety valve relief. See United States v. Mejia-Pimental, 477 F.3d 1100, 1105 (9th Cir.2007).

The district court correctly calculated the guideline range to be 210 to 262…