United States v. Jorge Soto-Castelo

MEMORANDUM

Jorge Soto-Castelo appeals from the district court’s judgment and challenges the 12-level sentencing enhancement and the 36-month term of supervised release imposed for his illegal reentry in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326 . Because the parties are familiar with the facts and procedural history of this case, we repeat only those facts necessary to resolve the issues raised on appeal. We affirm.

Conviction under Nev.Rev.Stat. § 453.337 qualifies as a conviction for a “drug trafficking offense” under U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(l)(B). United States v. Benitez-Perez, 367 F.3d 1200, 1204 (9th Cir.2004). Accordingly, the district court correctly imposed a 12-level sentencing enhancement based on Soto-Castelo’s prior conviction under Nev.Rev.Stat. § 453.337.

The district court acted within its discretion to impose a 36-month term of supervised release. The district court was authorized to impose a term of supervised release of not more than three years. 18 U.S.C. § 3583 (b)(2). Supervised release is appropriate when “it would provide an added measure of deterrence and protection based on the facts and circumstances of a particular case.” US SG § 5D 1.1(c) cmt. 5. The district court…