United States v. Cruz Lafarga

MEMORANDUM

Cruz Albert Lafarga appeals from the district court’s judgment and challenges the 126-month sentence imposed following his guilty-plea conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 (a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846; and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922 (g)(5)(A) and 924(a)(2). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

Lafarga asserts that the district court’s sentence of 126 months is substantively unreasonable in light of his strong family support and lack of criminal history. To determine whether a sentence is substantively unreasonable, we consider the 18 U.S.C. § 3553 (a) factors and the totality of the circumstances. See Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 , 128 S.Ct. 586 , 169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007). We review for abuse of discretion and “will provide relief only in rare cases.” United States v. Ressam, 679 F.3d 1069, 1086, 1088 (9th Cir.2012) (en banc).

This is not the rare case where relief is appropriate. The district court fully considered the mitigating factors…