United States v. Maldonado-Vara

── United States v. Maldonado-Vara ── Court: Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Date: May 22, 2026 Category: Direct Criminal Case: 25-11281 Document: 73-1 Page: 1 Date Filed: 05/22/2026 United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ____________ United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit No. 25-11281 Summary Calendar FILED ____________ May 22, 2026 Lyle W. Cayce United States of America, Clerk Plaintiff—Appellee, versus Baldemar Maldonado-Vara, Defendant—Appellant. ______________________________ Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas USDC No. 6:25-CR-27-1 ______________________________ Before Smith, Higginson, and Wilson, Circuit Judges. Per Curiam: * Baldemar Maldonado-Vara pleaded guilty to illegal reentry after deportation and was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment. On appeal, Maldonado-Vara challenges the voluntariness of his guilty plea and the district court’s compliance with Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. _____________________ * This opinion is not designated for publication. See 5th Cir. R. 47.5. Case: 25-11281 Document: 73-1 Page: 2 Date Filed: 05/22/2026 No. 25-11281 Because Maldonado-Vara did not raise these issues in the district court, we review for plain error. See United States v. Santiago, 96 F.4th 834, 843 (5th Cir. 2024). Maldonado-Vara fails to identify a clear and obvious error that affects his substantial rights. See Santiago, 96 F.4th at 843; United States v. Dominguez Benitez, 542 U.S. 74, 83 (2004). Accordingly, we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court. 2