Case Explained: Summary Calendar United States of America Plaintiff— v. Jesus Rodriguez-Garza Defendant—

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Filed: 2026-07-16

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the 42-month sentence imposed on Jesus Rodriguez-Garza for conspiring to transport aliens, rejecting his challenge to a two-level sentencing enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2L1.1(b)(5)(C). The court held that the district court did not clearly err in applying the enhancement based on the coconspirator’s possession of a dangerous weapon because the record contained sufficient evidence that the weapon was possessed and constituted relevant conduct under U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3(a)(1)(B). Relying on *United States v. Trujillo*, 502 F.3d 353, 356 (5th Cir. 2007), the court concluded that the enhancement was proper even though Rodriguez-Garza himself did not possess the weapon. The judgment of the district court remains in effect.

Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.