United States v. Bochas

PER CURIAM: * Julio Cesar Bochas appeals following his guilty-plea to distribution of cocaine. He argues that the merits of his appeal should be addressed despite an appeal waiver in his plea agreement because the agreement was ambiguous. Bochas contends that he reasonably believed the Government’s abandonment of an allegation in the indictment that death resulted from the use of the cocaine would result in a lower sentencing offense level and guideline range. Bochas’s argument is contrary to the plain language of the plea agreement that no specific sentence had been determined or promised. Further, Bochas’s subjective belief that he would receive a lower sentence is not supported by any promises of a reduced sentence from the Government and is insufficient to render the plea invalid. See United States v. McIntosh, 566 F.2d 949, 951 (5th Cir.1978). We conclude that Bochas’s plea agreement and waiver of appeal were validly entered and that we therefore lack appellate jurisdiction. See United States v. Portillo, 18 F.3d 290, 292-93 (5th Cir.1994); United States v. Melancon, 972 F.2d 566, 570 (5th Cir.1992). Bochas contends that his appeal waiver should not be enforced in the interests of justice because, under United States v. Booker, — U.S.-, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), the sentencing guide *970 lines have been rendered advisory rather that mandatory. This argument is unavailing because “a voluntary plea of guilty intelligently made in the light of the then applicable law does not become vulnerable because later judicial decisions indicate that the plea rested on a faulty premise.” Brady v. United States, 397 U.S. 742, 757, 90 S.Ct. 1463, 25 L.Ed.2d 747 (1970); see also United States v. Bradley, 400 F.3d 459, 464 (6th Cir.2005), Bochas also argues that the exception to his appeal waiver for upward departures applies because the district court’s finding that a death occurred increased his guideline range, thereby constituting a departure. We have previously rejected a similar argument. See United States v. McKinney, 406 F.3d 744, 745-47 (5th Cir.2005). Moreover, because Bochas agreed to the factual basis, the sentence is supported by admitted facts. Bochas argues, for the first time, that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance. A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel generally cannot be addressed on direct appeal unless the claim has been presented to the district court. United States v. Navejar, 963 F.2d 732, 735 (5th Cir.1992). Further, Bochas’s appeal waiver does not include the right to raise ineffective assistance claims. See United States v. White, 307 F.3d 336, 343 (5th Cir.2002). Therefore, we do not address this issue. APPEAL DISMISSED. 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.