United States v. Camberos-Villapuda, No. 15-3313 (8th Cir. 2016)
Annotate this CaseDefendant was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. On appeal, defendant challenged the denial of his motion to suppress physical evidence and imposition of a life sentence. The court concluded that the district court properly denied the motion to suppress where defendant was not seized and moved freely about the yard during the conversation in which he disclaimed any interest in the house and vehicle. Defendant's challenge to his life sentence also fails where he sustained two prior felony drug convictions, and was convicted in this case for conspiring to traffic at least 500 grams of methamphetamine. There is no dispute that defendant was subject to a mandatory life sentence pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)(A). The court has ruled on numerous occasions that the imposition of a mandatory life sentence under that statute does not violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. Accordingly, the court affirmed the judgment.
Court Description: Colloton, Author, with Riley, Chief Judge, and Kelly, Circuit Judge] Criminal case - Criminal law and sentencing. Defendant abandoned any interest he had in a vehicle and home by denying he owned the SUV and stating he did not live in the house, had not been inside and did not know who lived there; based on his past convictions and the amount of drugs involved in this offense, defendant was subject to a mandatory life sentence pursuant to the provisions of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(b)(1)(A); imposition of the sentence did not violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.