United States v. Rivas-Mendoza

PER CURIAM. * Mario Alberto Rivas-Mendoza (“Rivas”) appeals following his guilty-plea conviction for being found in the United States after deportation subsequent to an aggravated-felony conviction, in violation of 8 U.S.C. §§ 1326(a) and 1326(b)(2). Rivas’s guilty-plea was taken by the magistrate judge and approved by the district court after Rivas gave his written consent. Rivas argues that his conviction and sentence are void because a Rule 11 colloquy may never be delegated to a non-Article III magistrate judge. He also argues for the first time on appeal that the magistrate judge lacked jurisdiction to take his plea because of the absence of a referral order from the district court. He concedes that these arguments are foreclosed by circuit precedent but wishes to preserve the issues for Supreme Court review. Rivas correctly observes that his arguments are foreclosed. See United States v. Bolivar-Munoz, 313 F.3d 253, 256-57 (5th Cir.2002), cert. denied, — U.S.-, 123 S.Ct. 1642, 155 L.Ed.2d 499 (2003); United States v. Dees, 125 F.3d 261, 266 (5th Cir.1997). Rivas also argues that the sentencing provisions of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(1) and (b)(2) are unconstitutional in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000). He concedes that this argument is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998), but he seeks to preserve the issue for Supreme Court review. Apprendi did not overrule Almendarez-Torres. See Apprendi, 530 U.S. at 489-90; United *962 States v. Dabeit, 231 F.3d 979, 984 (5th Cir.2000). This court must follow the precedent set in Almendarez-Torres “unless and until the Supreme Court itself determines to overrule it.” Dabeit, 231 F.3d at 984 (internal quotation and citation omitted). AFFIRMED. Footnotes [*] Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.