United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Rene Luna-zamora, Defendant-appellant, 62 F.3d 1426 (9th Cir. 1995)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Rene Luna-Zamora appeals his 46 month sentence imposed after he pleaded guilty to importing cocaine. Luna-Zamora argues that the district court was unaware that it had the authority to determine the extent of the downward departure once the government moved for a substantial assistance departure. We dismiss for lack of appellate jurisdiction.

After the district court granted the government's motion to depart, the government recommended a three-level reduction and Luna-Zamora requested five levels. The district court stated, "the Government has requested three levels and I'm going to grant three levels." The court elaborated that: "I'm not going to second-guess the Government and analyze their information and try to decide how that information could be used. The Government has decided to move for substantial assistance. Three levels is what they feel that his assistance is worth, and I'm not going to second-guess them."

Luna-Zamora argues that the district court blindly accepted the government's recommendation, and that was tantamount to holding that the court was without the authority to exercise its discretion and independently determine the extent of the reduction. We disagree. The court listened to Luna-Zamora's argument to reduce the sentence below the government's recommendation. The district court did not indicate that it was bound by the government's recommendation. On this record, we assume the district court knew the law and exercised its discretion. United States v. Garcia-Garcia, 927 F.2d 489, 491 (9th Cir. 1991) (per curiam); United States v. Dickey, 924 F.2d 836, 838 (9th Cir. 1991) (defendant cannot appeal the extent of a departure).

DISMISSED FOR LACK OF JURISDICTION.