Case Explained: Summary Calendar United States of America Plaintiff— v. Jonathan Morales-Murguia Defendant—

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Filed: 2026-07-08

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court’s judgment upholding a 24-month above-guidelines sentence imposed on Jonathan Morales-Murguia for illegal reentry. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in imposing an upward variance, as the sentencing judge expressly accounted for the applicable guidelines range and justified the deviation based on Morales-Murguia’s criminal history and other factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). Applying the abuse of discretion standard of review, the court found that the reasons provided were sufficient and noted that it has previously upheld proportionally greater upward variances in similar cases. Consequently, the sentence remains in effect and Morales-Murguia’s appeal is denied.

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