United States v. Julio Vazquez-Ramirez

MEMORANDUM

Julio Vazquez-Ramirez appeals the sentence and fine imposed by the district court following his guilty plea to importing 5.16 kilograms of heroin, 8.22 kilograms of cocaine, and 22.64 kilograms of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 952 and 960. We affirm the sentence and fine.

The district court applied the correct legal standard when it denied the defendant a minor role reduction pursuant to United States Sentencing Guideline § 3B1.2(b). The mere fact that the defendant was a courier did not entitle him to a minor role adjustment. United States v. Rodriguez-Castro, 641 F.3d 1189, 1193 (9th Cir.2011). The district court was not required to compare the defendant to hypothetical co-participants. United States v. Rosas, 615 F.3d 1058, 1068 (9th Cir.2010); United States v. Rojas-Millan, 234 F.3d 464, 473 (9th Cir.2000).

The district court did not clearly err in finding that the defendant was a run-of-the-mill drug smuggler for money, no better, no worse. The defendant was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle and admitted that he imported a very large quantity of drugs into the country in exchange for $2,000. United…