Lii
United States v. Lii
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM *
Henry Kapononuiahopili Lii appeals the district court’s imposition of a mandatory minimum life sentence following his guilty-plea conviction for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 (b)(1)(A). The government filed an information seeking a mandatory life term pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 851 , citing Lii’s two prior felony drug convictions. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.
We understand but reject Lii’s argument that the government’s filing of a sentence enhancement under 21 U.S.C. § 851 constituted vindictive prosecution. Nothing in the record suggests that the government filed the sentence enhancement in response to Lii’s exercise of a constitutional or statutory right. See United States v. Van Doren, 182 F.3d 1077 , 1081-82 (9th Cir.1999).
There was no violation of Lii’s right against self-incrimination at his sentencing hearing. When a section 851 information is filed, we require strict compliance with the procedural aspects of section 851(b). United States v. Hamilton, 208 F.3d 1165, 1168 (9th Cir.2000). The district judge explained the consequences of the information and offered Lii the…