Case Explained: Summary Calendar United States of America Plaintiff— v. Charles Roy Defendant—

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Filed: 2026-07-01 The Fifth Circuit affirmed the defendant’s 160-month sentence for drug and firearm offenses, rejecting his argument that a prior Louisiana simple robbery conviction should not be classified as a “crime of violence” under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.1(a). Applying de novo review, the court held that the district court did not err in applying the force clause because the defendant failed to demonstrate a “realistic probability” that Louisiana would apply its simple robbery statute to conduct committed with a reckless or negligent mental state. The court noted that not all general intent crimes in Louisiana require such a mental state and found the cases cited by the defendant insufficient to prove otherwise, relying on *United States v. Castillo-Rivera* and *United States v. Lanaute*. As a result, the conviction stands as a predicate offense for sentencing enhancement purposes, and the judgment of the district court remains in effect. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.