United States v. Cardozo Veloza

BARKETT, Circuit Judge:

Pedro Nel Cardozo Veloza appeals his sentence following his guilty plea to importation of heroin. Veloza argues that the district court erred in refusing to grant a downward adjustment based upon his minor role in the offense under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2, and a downward departure based upon his status as a deportable alien under U.S.S.G. § 5K2.0.

Veloza arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Colombia. During a Customs inspection, officials discovered 799.2 grams of heroin hidden in the lining of two ski jackets found in Veloza’s luggage. Veloza admitted that…