United States of America v. Fernando Valenzuela

United States Court of Appeals
For the Eighth Circuit
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No. 25-3128
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United States of America
lllllllllllllllllllllPlaintiff - Appellee
v.
Fernando Valenzuela
lllllllllllllllllllllDefendant - Appellant
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Appeal from United States District Court
for the District of South Dakota - Western
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Submitted: July 15, 2026
Filed: July 20, 2026
[Unpublished]
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Before ERICKSON, GRASZ, and STRAS, Circuit Judges.
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PER CURIAM.
Fernando Valenzuela appeals the district court’s1 denial of a sentence reduction
under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2). His counsel has filed a motion to withdraw and has
filed a brief challenging the denial.
Upon careful review, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its
discretion in concluding that though Valenzuela was eligible for a reduction, none
was warranted. See United States v. Alcantar Mercado, 144 F.4th 1054, 1057 (8th
Cir. 2025) (standard of review). The district court stated it had reviewed the 18
U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors and concluded the 135-month prison term initially imposed
remained the appropriate punishment. See Chavez-Meza v. United States, 585 U.S.
109, 118-19 (2018) (district court’s certification that it had considered petitioner’s
motion and accounted for § 3553(a) factors and relevant Federal Sentencing
Guidelines policy statements sufficed to show consideration of arguments and
reasoned basis for decision).
Accordingly, we grant counsel’s motion to withdraw and affirm.
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1The Honorable Karen E. Schreier, United States District Judge for the District
of South Dakota.
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