Case ID: f-appx_28/html/0619-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, Appellee, v. Ruben CATALAN-CASTARENA, also known as Raul Diarcos-Alonso, Appellant.
    No. 01-2978.
    United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit.
    Submitted Feb. 14, 2002.
    Filed Feb. 27, 2002.
    Before LOKEN, MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD, and BYE, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM.

Ruben Catalan-Castarena appeals the sentence imposed by the district court upon his guilty plea to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). Pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), counsel has moved to withdraw and filed a brief stating Catalan-Castarena believes that his sentence of 108 months was unfair because it was not commensurate with his lack of a criminal history, and that he was materially prejudiced by the ethical conflict of his prior counsel, who withdrew (citing a potential conflict of interest) before the change-of-plea hearing.

As to the first point, we note that Catalan-Castarena was granted relief under the safety-valve provision from the 10-year statutory mandatory minimum sentence; that there was no motion for downward departure; and that the sentence imposed — without objection — was at the bottom of the applicable Guidelines range. The sentence is thus unreviewable on appeal. See United States v. Woodrum, 959 F.2d 100, 101 (8th Cir.1992) (per curiam).

As to the second point, we note that Catalan-Castarena did not raise it at the withdrawal-of-counsel, plea, or sentencing hearings; and does not indicate how he was prejudiced by prior counsel’s representation.

Having reviewed the record independently pursuantly to Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 109 S.Ct. 346, 102 L.Ed.2d 300 (1988), we find no nonfrivolous issues.

Accordingly, we affirm, and we grant counsel’s motion to withdraw. 
      
      . The Honorable Richard G. Kopf, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the District of Nebraska.