USA v. Joseph Robicheaux, No. 12-30160 (5th Cir. 2012)

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Case: 12-30160 Document: 00512042157 Page: 1 Date Filed: 11/02/2012 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS United States Court of Appeals FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT Fifth Circuit FILED No. 12-30160 Summary Calendar November 2, 2012 Lyle W. Cayce Clerk UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee v. JOSEPH ROBICHEAUX, Defendant-Appellant Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana USDC No. 6:98-CR-60027-2 Before JONES, DENNIS, and HAYNES, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Joseph Robicheaux, federal prisoner # 70986-079, appeals the district court s denial of a sentence reduction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) based upon the amendment to the Guidelines that implemented the Fair Sentencing Act (FSA) of 2010. He argues that, even if his sentencing guidelines range was not lowered by the amendment, the district court can, after Kimbrough v. United States, 552 U.S. 85 (2007), reduce his sentence under § 3582(c)(2) based upon its consideration of the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors and his post-sentencing * 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. Case: 12-30160 Document: 00512042157 Page: 2 Date Filed: 11/02/2012 No. 12-30160 rehabilitative efforts. The district court s ruling is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Doublin, 572 F.3d 235, 237 (5th Cir. 2009). Under the Guidelines, as amended by the FSA, Robicheaux s base offense level of 38 remained unchanged as he was held accountable for 35.6 kilograms of cocaine base, and, after the amendment, a base offense level of 38 applies to 8.4 KG or more of cocaine base. See U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(c)(1). Robicheaux was thus ineligible for a sentence reduction because the amendment did not reduce his guidelines range. See § 3582(c)(2); U.S.S.G. § 1B1.10(a)(2)(B). Moreover, the principles of United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005), and its progeny, including Kimbrough, do not apply to § 3582(c)(2) proceedings. See United States v. Dillon, 130 S. Ct. 2683, 2691-94 (2010); Doublin, 572 F.3d at 238. The Government s motion for summary affirmance is GRANTED, and the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED. The Government s alternative motion for an extension of time in which to file a brief is DENIED as unnecessary. 2

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