United States v. Melendez-Torres

TORRUELLA, Circuit Judge:

Defendant-appellant Gerardo Martin Meléndez-Torres appeals his conviction and sentence, following a bench trial, for re-entering the United States after deportation due to a manslaughter conviction, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a). Specifically, Meléndez challenges (1) the sufficiency of the evidence for his conviction, (2) the district court’s refusal to grant a downward departure from the Sentencing Guidelines based on his “cultural assimilation” into American society, and (3) the absence of a “fast track” program in the District of Maine to process immigration…