United States v. Obaze

── United States v. Obaze ── Court: Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Date: May 21, 2026 Category: Direct Criminal Case: 25-20221 Document: 79-1 Page: 1 Date Filed: 05/21/2026 United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit ____________ FILED May 21, 2026 No. 25-20221 Lyle W. Cayce Summary Calendar Clerk ____________ United States of America, Plaintiff—Appellee, versus Christopher Obaze, Defendant—Appellant. ______________________________ Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. 4:21-CR-502-1 ______________________________ Before Stewart, Graves, and Oldham, Circuit Judges. Per Curiam: * Christopher Obaze appeals his guilty plea convictions for conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances and aiding and assisting the preparation of a false and fraudulent tax return. He raises several claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel, which we decline to review on direct appeal. See United States v. Isgar, 739 F.3d 829, 841 (5th Cir. 2014). He also _____________________ * This opinion is not designated for publication. See 5th Cir. R. 47.5. Case: 25-20221 Document: 79-1 Page: 2 Date Filed: 05/21/2026 No. 25-20221 asserts that his guilty plea was involuntary because he did not understand his sentencing liability or know that he was pleading guilty to a felony that was punishable by 20 years in prison. However, this claim is contradicted by the record, including his own testimony at the plea hearing. He thus fails to show error, plain or otherwise. See United States v. Vonn, 535 U.S. 55, 59 (2002); Blackledge v. Allison, 431 U.S. 63, 74 (1977); United States v. King, 979 F.3d 1075, 1079-80 (5th Cir. 2020). AFFIRMED. 2