United States v. Mirna Valenzuela-Verdugo

MEMORANDUM

Mirna Valenzuela-Verdugo appeals from the 78-month sentence imposed following her guilty-plea conviction for importation of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 , 952, and 960. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

Valenzuela-Verdugo contends the district court erred by denying her a minor role adjustment under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2(b). The district court did not clearly err by declining to apply a minor role adjustment. See United States v. Hursh, 217 F.3d 761, 770 (9th Cir.2000).

Valenzuela-Verdugo also contends that the sentence imposed was unreasonable. The district court did not procedurally err and, under the totality of the circumstances, the sentence is not substantively unreasonable. See Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 , 128 S.Ct. 586 , 169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007); United States v. Carty, 520 F.3d 984, 990-93 (9th Cir.2008) (en banc).

Valenzuela-Verdugo apparently further contends that the sentencing judge’s status as a visiting judge somehow implicated the reasonableness of her sentence. We reject this contention. See United States v. Green, 89 F.3d 657, 660 (9th Cir.1996) (“This…