Sanchez-Ordaz

MEMORANDUM **

Edgar Jovani Sanchez-Ordaz (“Sanchez”) appeals his conviction and sentence *458 of 70 months for bringing illegal aliens into the country for financial gain. Because the parties are familiar with the facts and procedural history, we do not restate them here except as necessary to explain our disposition. Sanchez’s appeal raises three issues, none of which we find persuasive.

1. Sanchez asserts that he was denied effective assistance of counsel because his attorney did not thoroughly investigate his background and did not adequately pursue a plea agreement. Claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are usually appropriate for review only on collateral attack, but may be “reviewed on direct appeal in two circumstances: ‘1) when the record on appeal is sufficiently developed to permit review and determination of the issue, or 2) when the legal representation is so inadequate that it obviously denies a defendant his Sixth Amendment right to counsel.’ ” United States v. Lillard, 354 F.3d 850, 856 (9th Cir.2003) (quoting United States v. Robinson, 967 F.2d 287, 290 (9th Cir.1992)). Having reviewed the record, including the comments by counsel at the sentencing hearing…