Conference Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. Ruben Espinoza, Jr

* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion
should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited
circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 08-50502
Conference Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plaintiff-Appellee
v.
RUBEN ESPINOZA, JR
Defendant-Appellant
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Western District of Texas
USDC No. 2:07-CR-262-1
Before GARWOOD, GARZA, and OWEN, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Appealing the Judgment in a Criminal Case, Ruben Espinoza, Jr., raises
arguments that he concedes are foreclosed by United States v. Keith, 230 F.3d
784, 787 (5th Cir. 2000), which held that Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466
(2000) does not preclude the imposition of a mandatory minimum sentence
under 21 U.S.C. § 841, provided that the sentence imposed does not exceed the
statutory maximum sentence for the offense. See also United States v. Harper,
527 F.3d 396, 411 (5th Cir.) (except in the case of substantial assistance to the
United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
F I L E D
December 4, 2008
Charles R. Fulbruge III
Clerk

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No. 08-50502
2
Government or compliance with the safety valve criteria, sentencing courts, post
United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005), lack discretion to depart below
relevant statutory minimums), cert. denied, 129 S. Ct. 212 (2008). The
Government’s motion for summary affirmance is GRANTED, and the judgment
of the district court is AFFIRMED.

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