United States v. George Benitez Javier Ramirez Jose Camilo Lizarraga

George Benitez, Javier Ramirez, and Jose Camilo Lizarraga (“appellants”) appeal their conditional guilty plea convictions for assaulting and interfering with government agents and using firearms during a crime of violence. Appellants appeal the district court’s denial of their motion to dismiss for violation of the Speedy Trial Act and Fed.R.Crim.P. 48(b). Ramirez and Lizarraga also appeal the court’s denial of their motion to suppress their confessions. Finally, Ramirez appeals the application of the sentencing guidelines adjustment for obstruction of justice and the court’s refusal to grant a two level reduction for minor-participant status. We have jurisdiction and we affirm.

I

From July 1991 to September 1992, federal agents were involved in an investigation code-named “Operation Green Ice” that targeted narcotics traffickers and money launderers in Southern California. As part of this operation, federal agents posed as money launderers and agreed to launder drug proceeds for suspected drug dealers.

On August 20, 1992, federal Agent Heidi Landsgraft arranged with a target of the investigation for the delivery of $710,000 of drug proceeds to be laundered. Lizarraga acted as…