United States v. Javier Velasquez-Reyes, A.K.A. Javier Alvarado-Hernandez, 427 F.3d 1227 (9th Cir. 2005). · Go Syfert
United States v. Javier Velasquez-Reyes, A.K.A. Javier Alvarado-Hernandez, 427 F.3d 1227 (9th Cir. 2005). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“the fact that arson is specifically enumerated as a crime of vio- lence in 2l1.2(b)(1)(a)(ii) indicates that it is a crime of vio- lence.”
136 citation events (136 in the last 25 years) across 11 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: United States v. Rodriguez-Guzman (ca9, 2007-10-22)
Treatment trajectory · 2006 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2006 2016 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) United States v. Rodriguez-Guzman (3×) also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see, e.g."
9th Cir. · 2007 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the fact that arson is specifically enumerated as a crime of vio- lence in 2l1.2(b)(1)(a)(ii) indicates that it is a crime of vio- lence.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Roy v. United States (2×)
D. Conn. · 2024 · confidence medium
See also United States v. Misleveck, 735 F.3d 983, 988 (7th Cir. 2013) (“Our interpretation of generic arson as embracing the intentional or malicious burning of any property, regardless of value or amount of damage, coincides with the interpretation that has been adopted by the Fifth, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits, United States v. Velez–Alderete [ 569 F.3d 541, 546 (5th Cir. 2009)]; United States v. Whaley, 552 F.3d 904, 906 (8th Cir. 2009); United States v. Velasquez–Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1230 (9th Cir. 2005)— all cited approvingly, by the way, in Brown v. Caraway, [ 719 F.3d 583, 590 …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Daniel Vega
9th Cir. · 2023 · confidence medium
“We review de novo a district court’s decision [whether] a prior conviction is a crime of violence under the Sentencing Guidelines.” United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir. 2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Angelo Fernandez
9th Cir. · 2023 · confidence medium
“We review de novo a district court’s decision that a prior conviction is a crime of violence under the Sentencing Guidelines.” United States v. Velasquez- Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir. 2005) (citation omitted).
examined Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Edgar Espinoza (3×) also: Cited "see"
9th Cir. · 2020 · confidence medium
We have defined generic arson as “a willful and malicious burning of property.” See Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d at 1230 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Buck (2×)
10th Cir. · 2017 · confidence medium
United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1230-31 (9th Cir. 2005) (quotation marks omitted); see also United States v. Hathaway, 949 F.2d 609, 610 (2d Cir. 1991).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Hugo Rivera-Muniz
9th Cir. · 2017 · confidence medium
Moreover, “we do not look to the specific conduct that was the basis of a defendant’s state convictions.” United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir. 2005). 4 The statute at issue here, California Penal Code section 192(a), defines voluntary manslaughter as “the unlawful killing of a human being without malice ... upon a sudden quarrel or heat of passion.” 5 Malice “is express when there is manifested a deliberate intention unlawfully to take away the life of a fellow creature,” and “implied ... when no considerable provocation appears, or when the circumsta…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Mitchell (2×) also: Cited "see"
M.D. Penn. · 2016 · confidence medium
See Brown v. Caraway, 719 F.3d 583, 590 (7th Cir. 2013); United States v. Velez-Alderete, 569 F.3d 541, 545-46 (5th Cir. 2009); United States v. Whaley, 552 F.3d 904, 906-07 (8th Cir. 2009); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1230 (9th Cir. 2005); see also United States v. Knight, 606 F.3d 171, 173-74 (4th Cir. 2010); United States v. Hathaway, 949 F.2d 609, 610 (2d Cir. 1991).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Webb (2×)
D. Mass. · 2016 · confidence medium
United States v. Gatson, 776 F.3d 405, 410 (6th Cir. 2015) (“[G]eneric arson embraces the intentional or malicious burning of any property.”) (internal quotation marks omitted); Misleveck, 735 F.3d at 988 (“intentional or malicious burning of property”); United States v. Knight, 606 F.3d 171, 174 (4th Cir. 2010)(agreeing with current consensus that arson involves the “malicious burning of property”); United States v. Whaley, 552 F.3d 904, 907 (8th Cir. 2009) (“the malicious burning of real or personal property of another”); United States v. Velez-Alderete, 569 F.3d 541, 544 (5t…
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Delgado-Montoya
10th Cir. · 2016 · confidence medium
Generic arson is defined as “a willful and malicious burning of property.” United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227,1230 (9th Cir. 2006).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Carlos Mendoza-Padilla
9th Cir. · 2016 · confidence medium
United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir. 2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Alvarez-Jimenez
S.D. Cal. · 2015 · confidence medium
United - States Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir. 2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. James Misleveck
7th Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
Our interpretation of generic arson as embracing the intentional or malicious burning of any property, regardless of value or amount of damage, coincides with the interpretation that has been adopted by the Fifth, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits, United States v. Velez-Alderete, supra, 569 F.3d at 546 ; United States v. Whaley, 552 F.3d 904, 906 (8th Cir.2009); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1230 (9th Cir.2005) — all cited approvingly, by the way, in Brown v. Caraway, supra, 719 F.3d at 590 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Ashford Spencer
9th Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
Similarly, we have described the modern, generic definition of arson as “willful and malicious burning of property.” United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1230 (9th Cir.2005) (internal quotation marks omitted); see also United States v. Doe, 136 F.3d 631, 634 (9th Cir.1998).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Royce Brown v. John F. Caraway
7th Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
See United States v. Velez-Alderete, 569 F.3d 541, 544 (5th Cir.2009); United States v. Whaley, 552 F.3d 904, 907 (8th Cir.2009); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1230 (9th Cir.2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Jesus Navia-Perez
9th Cir. · 2012 · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Melchor-Meceno, 620 F.3d 1180, 1184 (9th Cir.2010) (concluding that menacing under Colorado state law, which provides that “[a] person commits the crime of menacing if, by any threat or physical action, he or she knowingly places or attempts to place another person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury,” is a crime of violence under U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1230 (9th Cir.2005) (concluding that arson under Washington state law, which requires an explosion to have been “knowingly and maliciously” set, was a crime…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Catalino Pineda
9th Cir. · 2012 · confidence medium
We do not opine on any tension between United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1230 (9th Cir.2005) (interpreting U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2 cmt. l(B)(iii) (2001)), and Jordison v. Gonzales, 501 F.3d 1134, 1135 (9th Cir.2007) (interpreting 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a)(43)), in the method to be used to determine whether a prior conviction qualifies as an aggravated felony because any such decision is not necessary in this case.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Jose Moreno-Tobar
9th Cir. · 2011 · confidence medium
“Under this approach the state statute of conviction is ‘compared with the generic definition of that crime to determine if the defendant’s conviction is a crime of violence pursuant to the Sentencing Guidelines.’” Id. (quoting United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005)).
examined Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Knight (3×) also: Cited "see"
4th Cir. · 2010 · confidence medium
Given this statutory development, we agree with the other circuits that have considered the issue and conclude that the modern, generic crime of arson involves the burning of real or personal property. 2 See United States v. Velez-Alderete, 569 F.3d 541, 544 (5th Cir.2009) (per curiam) (“[T]he consensus among state statutes ... defines contemporary arson as involving the malicious burning of property, personal or real, without requiring that the burning threaten harm to a person.”); Whaley, 552 F.3d at 907 (“[T]he generic offense of arson, for purposes of'the sentence enhancement in § 9…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Esparza-Herrera (2×)
9th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
Under this approach the state statute of conviction is "compared with the generic definition of that crime to determine if the defendant's conviction is a crime of violence pursuant to the Sentencing Guidelines." United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Esparaza-Herrera
9th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
Under this approach the state statute of conviction is “compared with the generic definition of that crime to determine if the defen- dant’s conviction is a crime of violence pursuant to the Sen- tencing Guidelines.” United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir. 2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Timothy Whaley (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
8th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
While damage limitations may render some acts of malicious burning non-criminal or non-felonious in certain jurisdictions, we agree with the Ninth Circuit that the limits applied by some States “do not disrupt the ‘interstate consensus’ that the burning of personal property constitutes arson.” United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1331 (9th Cir. 2005). -4- other circuits that have considered the issue.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Whaley
8th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
While damage limitations may render some acts of malicious burning non-criminal or non-felonious in certain jurisdictions, we agree with the Ninth Circuit that the limits applied by some States "do not disrupt the ‘interstate consensus 1 that the burning of personal property constitutes arson." United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1231 (9th Cir.2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Sanchez-Castro
9th Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
We rejected this argument in United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005), and we reject it again. 1 Sanchez-Castro also claims to have been denied his right to allocution.
examined Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Rodriguez-Guzman (6×) also: Cited "see", Cited "see, e.g."
9th Cir. · 2007 · confidence medium
A state's definition of [the crime] must be compared with the generic definition of that crime to determine if the defendant's conviction is a crime of violence pursuant to the Sentencing Guidelines." Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d at 1229-30 (citation omitted).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Rivera-Arreaga
9th Cir. · 2007 · confidence medium
This contention is foreclosed by United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005), and United States v. Weiland, 420 F.3d 1062 , 1079 n. 16 (9th Cir.2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Perez-Tapia
9th Cir. · 2007 · confidence medium
Generic arson is defined as “a willful and malicious burning of property.” United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1230 (9th Cir.2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Beltran-Carranza (2×) also: Cited "see"
9th Cir. · 2007 · confidence medium
This argument is foreclosed by our decision in United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (holding that prior convictions need not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt to the jury or admitted by the defendant). 4 Similarly, Beltran argues that the Sixth Amendment requires that criminal history level be proved to a jury whenever a prior conviction is disputed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Abeu Gonzalez-Perez, A.K.A. Oscar Ortiz-Garcia (2×)
9th Cir. · 2007 · confidence medium
“We review de novo a district court’s decision that a prior conviction is a crime of violence under the Sentencing Guidelines.” United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (citation omitted). *1160 II.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Gonzalez-Perez (2×)
9th Cir. · 2007 · confidence medium
“We review de novo a dis- trict court’s decision that a prior conviction is a crime of vio- lence under the Sentencing Guidelines.” United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir. 2005) (cita- tion omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Dawson
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See United States v. Brown, 417 F.3d 1077, 1078-79 (9th Cir.2005) (holding that for a career-offender enhancement the fact of defendant’s prior convictions need not be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt); United States v. Beng-Salazar, 452 F.3d 1088, 1091 (9th Cir.2006) (rejecting as foreclosed the contention that recent decisions of the Supreme Court limit Almendarez-Torres’s holding to cases where a defendant has admitted his prior convictions during a guilty plea); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (rejecting contention that the government is r…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Hector Reina-Rodriguez
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
This court reviews “de novo a district court’s decision that a prior conviction is a crime of violence under the Sentencing Guidelines.” United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (citing United States v. Rivera-Sanchez, 247 F.3d 905, 907 (9th Cir.2001) (en banc)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Reina-Rodriguez
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
This court reviews “de novo a district court’s decision that a prior conviction is a crime of violence under the Sentencing Guidelines.” United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir. 2005) (citing United States v. Rivera-Sanchez, 247 F.3d 905, 907 (9th Cir. 2001) (en banc)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Duran-Cabrera
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See United States v. Weiland, 420 F.3d 1062, 1079-80 (9th dr. 2005); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Reyna-Moran
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See United States v. Rodriguez-Rodriguez, 441 F.3d 767, 772-73 (9th Cir.2006); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Aguilar-Quinonez
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
This argument is foreclosed by United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005), and United States v. Weiland, 420 F.3d 1062 , 1079 n. 16 (9th Cir.2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Briseno-Marin
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See United States v. Beng-Salazar, 452 F.3d 1088,1091 (9th Cir.2006) (rejecting as foreclosed the contention that recent decisions of the Supreme Court limit Almendarez-Torres’& holding to cases where a defendant has admitted his prior convictions during a guilty plea); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (rejecting contention that the government is required to plead prior convictions in the indictment and prove them to a jury unless the defendant admits the prior convictions); United States v. Rodriguez-Lara, 421 F.3d 932, 949-50 (9th Cir. 2005) (affirming t…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Tobon-Vergara
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See United States v. Beng-Salazar, 452 F.3d 1088, 1091 (9th Cir.2006) (rejecting as foreclosed the contention that recent decisions of the Supreme Court limit Almendarez-Torres’s holding to cases where a defendant has admitted his prior convictions during a guilty plea); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (rejecting contention that the government is required to plead prior convictions in the indictment and prove them to a jury unless the defendant admits the prior convictions); United States v. Rodriguez-Lara, 421 F.3d 932, 949-50 (9th Cir. 2005) (affirming …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Bonnington
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Hernandez-Hernandez, 431 F.3d 1212, 1216-17 (9th Cir.2005); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 126 S.Ct. 1182 , 163 L.Ed.2d 1139 (2006); United States v. Esparza-Gonzalez, 422 F.3d 897, 907 (9th Cir.2005); United States v. Rodriguez-Lara, 421 F.3d 932, 949 (9th Cir.2005); United States v. Cervantes-Flores, 421 F.3d 825, 835 (9th Cir.2005), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 126 S.Ct. 1911 , 164 L.Ed.2d 668 (2006); United States v. Weiland, 420 F.3d 1062, 1080 (9th Cir.2005), ce rt. denied, — U.S. -, 126 S.Ct. 191…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Gonzalez-Guzman
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See United States v. Beng-Salazar, 452 F.3d 1088, 1091 (9th Cir.2006) (rejecting as foreclosed the contention that recent decisions of the Supreme Court limit AlmendarezTorres’s holding to cases where a defendant has admitted his prior convictions during a guilty plea); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (rejecting contention that the government is required to plead prior convictions in the indictment and prove them to a jury unless the defendant admits the prior convictions); United States v. Rodriguez-Lara, 421 F.3d 932, 949-50 (9th Cir.2005) (affirming th…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Valenzuela-Fonseca
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See United States v. Beng-Salazar, 452 F.3d 1088, 1091 (9th Cir.2006) (rejecting as foreclosed the contention that recent decisions of the Supreme Court limit AlmendarezTorres''$ holding to cases where a defendant has admitted his prior convictions during a guilty plea); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (rejecting contention that the government is required to plead prior convictions in the indictment and prove them to a jury unless the defendant admits the prior convictions); United States v. Rodriguez-Lara, 421 F.3d 932, 949-50 (9th Cir.2005) (affirming the…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Gonzalez-Parra
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See United States v. Beng-Salazar, 452 F.3d 1088, 1091 (9th Cir.2006) (rejecting as foreclosed the contention that recent decisions of the Supreme Court limit AlmendarezTorres’s holding to cases where a defendant has admitted his prior convictions during a guilty plea); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (rejecting contention that the government is required to plead prior convictions in the indictment and prove them to a jury unless the defendant admits the prior convictions); United States v. Rodriguez-Lara, 421 F.3d 932, 949-50 (9th Cir.2005) (affirming th…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Hernandez-Rojas
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See United States v. Beng-Salazar, 452 F.3d 1088, 1091 (9th Cir.2006) (rejecting as foreclosed the contention that recent decisions of the Supreme Court limit AlmendarezTorres’ s holding to cases where a defendant has admitted his prior convictions during a guilty plea); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (rejecting contention that the government is required to plead prior convictions in the indictment and prove them to a jury unless the defendant admits the prior convictions); United States v. Rodriguez-Lara, 421 F.3d 932, 949-50 (9th Cir. 2005) (affirming …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Hernandez-Sanchez
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
See United States v. Weiland, 420 F.3d 1062 , 1080 n. 16 (9th Cir.2005) (holding that we are bound to follow Almendarez-Torres even though it has been called into question, unless it is explicitly overruled by the Supreme Court); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1228 (9th Cir.2005) (rejecting contention that prior conviction must be proved to a jury if not admitted by the defendant and reaffirming that Almendarez-Torres has not been overruled).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Trevino-Trevino
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
United States Sentencing Guidelines (“USSG” or “Sentencing Guidelines”) § 2L1.2(b)(l)(A)(ii) permits the sentencing judge to apply a 16-level enhancement if a defendant was deported following a conviction for a “crime of violence.” That manslaughter is “specifically enumerated as a crime of violence in [the Application Notes to USSG § 2L1.2] indicates that it is a crime of violence.” United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Villasenor-Garcia
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (rejecting contention that the government is required to plead prior convictions in the indictment and prove them to a jury unless the defendant admits the prior convictions); United States v. Weiland, 420 F.3d 1062 , 1079 n. 16 (9th Cir.2005) (noting that we continue to be bound by the Supreme Court’s holding in Almendarez-Torres that a district judge may enhance a sentence on the basis of prior convictions, even if the fact of those convictions was not found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Burboa
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (citing United States v. Pacheco-Zepeda, 234 F.3d 411, 415 (9th Cir.2000)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Burboa
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir.2005) (citing United States v. Pacheco-Zepeda, 234 F.3d 411, 415 (9th Cir.2000)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Candalosa—Estrada
9th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
United States v. Delaney, 427 F.3d 1224, 1226 (9th Cir.2005) (“The Supreme Court has made clear that the fact of a prior conviction need not be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt or admitted by the defendant to satisfy the Sixth Amendment.”); United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1228 (9th Cir.2005) (rejecting contention that prior convictions must be proved to a jury if not admitted by the defendant and reaffirming that Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224 , 118 S.Ct. 1219 , 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998), has not been overruled).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Urbano Castillo-Marin (2×)
9th Cir. · 2012 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Velasquez-Reyes, 427 F.3d 1227, 1229 (9th Cir. 2005).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Javier VELASQUEZ-REYES, A.K.A. Javier Alvarado-Hernandez, Defendant-Appellant
04-30292.
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Nov 8, 2005.
427 F.3d 1227
Anne Walstrom and Kurt Rowland, Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho, Yakima, WA, for the defendant-appellant., James P. Hagarty, Assistant United States Attorney, Yakima, WA, for the plaintiff-appellee.
Schroeder, Alarcón, Leavy.
Cited by 97 opinions  |  Published
ALARCÓN, Circuit Judge.

Defendant Javier Velasquez-Reyes appeals from the order sentencing him to 48 months of imprisonment on the ground that the district court erred in imposing a 16-level enhancement to his sentence based on a prior conviction for second degree arson under Washington law. He contends that second degree arson is not a crime of violence under U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(ii). We affirm the imposition of the 16-level enhancement because we conclude that second degree arson under Washington law is categorically a crime of violence. Mr. Velasquez-Reyes was sentenced under the mandatory provisions of the Sentencing Guidelines. Accordingly, we remand in accordance with United States v. Ameline, 409 F.3d 1073 (9th Cir.2005) (en banc).

I

Mr. Velasquez-Reyes pled guilty to reentering the United States illegally after[*1229] having been deported. At sentencing, he received a 16-level enhancement based on his prior conviction under Washington law for second degree arson. This prior conviction was not alleged in the indictment.

Mr. Velasquez-Reyes contends that Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000) overruled Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998) and requires the Government to plead prior convictions in the indictment and prove them beyond a reasonable doubt to the jury unless the defendant admits the prior convictions. This argument is foreclosed by the law of this circuit. In United States v. Pacheco-Zepeda, 234 F.3d 411, 415 (9th Cir.2000), we rejected an identical contention. We held in PachecoZepeda, that Apprendi did not overrule Almendarez-Torres. Id. at 414-15. We reaffirmed our holding in Pacheco-Zepeda in United States v. Brown, 417 F.3d 1077, 1078-79 (9th Cir.2005), following the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Booker, — U.S.-, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005). In his opening brief, Mr. Velasquez-Reyes recognized that this argument has been precluded by the law of this circuit and Supreme Court precedent. He acknowledges that he raised this issue “in order to preserve it for en banc or Supreme Court review.”

II

Mr. Velasquez-Reyes also argues that the district court erred in determining that his conviction for second degree arson under Washington law was a crime of violence under U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(ii). He asserts that “[t]he Washington arson statute is overbroad, because it criminalizes conduct that would not be a crime under federal law.” Appellants’ Opening Br. at 18. We review de novo a district court’s decision that a prior conviction is a crime of violence under the Sentencing Guidelines. See United States v. Rivera-Sanchez, 247 F.3d 905, 907 (9th Cir.2001).

Section 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(ii) provides for a 16-level enhancement if the defendant has a prior conviction for a crime of violence. A crime of violence is defined under the Application Notes to § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(ii) as:

murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, aggravated assault, forcible sex offenses, statutory rape, sexual abuse of a minor, robbery, arson, extortion, extortionate extension of credit, burglary of a dwelling, or any offense under federal, state, or local law that has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another.

U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2 cmt. n. 1(B)(iii) (2001) (emphasis added). The fact that arson is specifically enumerated as a crime of violence in § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(ii) indicates that it is a crime of violence. United States v. Bonilla-Montenegro, 331 F.3d 1047, 1051 (9th Cir.2003). To determine whether a conviction for second degree arson under Washington law comes within the Sentencing Guidelines definition of arson, we must use the categorical approach set forth in Taylor v. United States, 495 U.S. 575, 600, 110 S.Ct. 2143, 109 L.Ed.2d 607 (1990). See United States v. Fish, 368 F.3d 1200, 1202 (9th Cir.2004).

Under the categorical approach, we do not look to the specific conduct that was the basis of a defendant’s state convictions. Instead, we consider the statutory definition of the crime. Fish, 368 F.3d at 1202. A state’s definition of arson must be compared with the generic definition of that crime to determine if the defendant’s conviction is a crime of violence pursuant to the Sentencing Guidelines. Taylor, 495 U.S. at 602, 110 S.Ct. 2143; see United States v. Anderson, 989 F.2d 310, 312 (9th[*1230] Cir.1993) (“[W]e must look to the ‘generic’ definitions of burglary, arson, or extortion—the meanings likely ascribed to these words by the federal legislators who adopted the statute.”); United States v. Hathaway, 949 F.2d 609, 610 (2d Cir.1991) (“[I]f [the state’s] definition of third degree arson substantially corresponds to a modern generic definition of arson, then appellant’s conviction may be counted as ‘arson’ for purposes of the federal sentencing statute.”).

Wash. Rev.Code § 9A.48.030 (1991), provides:

Arson in the second degree
(1) A person is guilty of arson in the second degree if he knowingly and maliciously causes a fire or explosion which damages a building, or any structure or erection appurtenant to or joining any building, or any wharf, dock, machine, engine, automobile, or other motor vehicle, watercraft, aircraft, bridge, or trestle, or hay, grain, crop, or timber, whether cut or standing or any range land, or pasture land, or any fence, or any lumber, shingle, or other timber products, or any property.

The modern generic definition of arson includes a “willful and malicious burning” of property. Hathaway, 949 F.2d at 610; see United States v. Doe, 136 F.3d 631, 634 (9th Cir.1998) (describing the common law definition of arson as the “willful and malicious burning of a building”). Mr. Velasquez-Reyes argues that 18 U.S.C. § 81, the federal statute that defines arson committed within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, requires proof that the defendant acted “willfully and maliciously,” while the Washington statute identifies the mens rea as “knowing and malicious.” [1]

Although the Washington statute identifies the requisite mens rea as “knowing and malicious,” we are unable to discern any meaningful distinction between “knowing” and “willful” in this context. “To be a willful act, the setting of the fire must be a conscious, intentional act done knowingly and according to a purpose, as distinguished from a fire that was started by accident or defendant’s involuntary act.” Doe, 136 F.3d at 635. (citation omitted). Thus, the common law definition of “willful” encompasses “knowing.” Id. Mr. Velasquez-Reyes has failed to demonstrate how a person could act “knowingly and maliciously” but not “willfully and maliciously.”

Ill

Mr. Velasquez-Reyes also argues that the Washington statute does not come within the generic definition of arson because it criminalizes setting fire to personal property, such as timber, crops, cars, and other forms of personal property. We disagree. A majority of state arson statutes, and the federal arson statute, extend beyond dwellings or buildings to include various types of personal property. [2] Although some of these statutes add a limita[*1231] tion that the personal property be burned for insurance proceeds, e.g., 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 3301 (West 2005), or set a minimum damage limitation, e.g., Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 504 (2005), these limits do not disrupt the “interstate consensus” that the burning of personal property constitutes arson. See Anderson, 989 F.2d at 312 (considering whether there was an interstate consensus regarding the definition of extortion).

Furthermore, to the extent there is some inconsistency among the states regarding whether burning personal property constitutes arson, the federal statute lends guidance to the meaning of the term “arson” as used in the Sentencing Guidelines. See id. (relying on a federal statute to determine federal common law because of the absence of a national consensus regarding the definition of extortion). The federal arson statute extends to personal property—it includes, inter alia, machinery, building materials, supplies, and military and naval stores—and does not have an insurance proceeds limitation or minimum damage limit. 18 U.S.C. § 81. Washington’s inclusion of the burning of personal property, without a minimum damage limit, is consistent with the modern generic definition of arson.

Conclusion

We hold that Mr. Velasquez-Reyes’s Washington state conviction for second degree arson is categorically a crime of violence. Accordingly, the district court did not err in its interpretation of the Sentencing Guidelines.

Mr. Velasquez-Reyes was sentenced under the mandatory provisions of the Sentencing Guidelines. In United States v. Moreno-Hernandez, 419 F.3d 906 (9th Cir.2005), we held that defendants are entitled to limited remands in cases involving non-constitutional Booker error. Id. at 916. The record does not reflect whether Mr. Velasquez-Reyes would have received a different sentence had the district court known that the Sentencing Guidelines were advisory. Therefore, we must remand this matter to the district court for a determination whether “the sentence imposed would have been materially different had the district court known that the sentencing guidelines were advisory.” Ameline, 409 F.3d at 1074; Moreno-Hernandez, 419 F.3d 906.

AFFIRMED IN PART; REMANDED IN PART.

1

. Section 81 provides as follows:

Whoever within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, willfully and maliciously sets fire to or burns, or attempts to set fire to or bum any building, structure or vessel, any machinery or building materials or supplies, military or naval stores, munitions of war, or any structural aids or appliances for navigation or shipping, ... shall be imprisoned for not more than 25 years, fined the greater of the fine under this title or the cost of repairing or replacing any property that is damaged or destroyed, or both.
If the building be a dwelling or if the life of any person be placed in jeopardy, he shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any terms of years or for life, or both.