Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca5-16-50103/USCOURTS-ca5-16-50103-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Jose Pequeno-Garcia
Appellant
United States of America
Appellee

Document Text:

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 16-50103

Summary Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee

v.

JOSE PEQUENO-GARCIA, also known as Jose Tomas Pequeno-Garcia,

Defendant-Appellant

Appeals from the United States District Court

for the Western District of Texas

USDC No. 6:15-CR-161-1

Before KING, DENNIS, and COSTA, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

The attorney appointed to represent Jose Pequeno-Garcia has moved for 

leave to withdraw and has filed a brief in accordance with Anders v. California, 

386 U.S. 738 (1967), and United States v. Flores, 632 F.3d 229 (5th Cir. 2011). 

Counsel also moves to extend the time for filing an amended brief. PequenoGarcia has filed a response to the Anders brief and moves for the appointment 

of substitute counsel. We have reviewed counsel’s Anders brief and the 

 

* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not 

be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH 

CIR. R. 47.5.4.

United States Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit

FILED

October 13, 2016

Lyle W. Cayce

Clerk

 Case: 16-50103 Document: 00513716719 Page: 1 Date Filed: 10/13/2016
No. 16-50103

2

relevant portions of the record reflected therein, as well as Pequeno-Garcia’s 

response. We concur with counsel’s assessment that the appeal presents no 

nonfrivolous issue for appellate review.

In his response, Pequeno-Garcia first argues that his prior deportation 

was unlawful due to defects in the removal proceedings and therefore could not 

serve as a predicate for his instant illegal reentry offense. Such a challenge 

does not present a nonfrivolous issue for appeal because it has been waived by 

Pequeno-Garcia’s voluntary and unconditional guilty plea. See United States 

v. Daughenbaugh, 549 F.3d 1010, 1012 (5th Cir. 2008). Pequeno-Garcia’s 

remaining arguments challenging the calculation of his criminal history score 

and the substantive reasonableness of his sentence also do not raise a 

nonfrivolous appellate issue. See U.S.S.G. § 4A1.2(e)(1); U.S.S.G. § 1B1.11(a); 

United States v. Duarte, 569 F.3d 528, 529-31 (5th Cir. 2009).

Accordingly, counsel’s motion for leave to withdraw is GRANTED, 

counsel’s motion to extend the time for filing an amended brief is DENIED AS 

UNNECESSARY, counsel is excused from further responsibilities herein, and 

the APPEAL IS DISMISSED. See 5TH CIR. R. 42.2. Pequeno-Garcia’s motion 

for the appointment of substitute counsel is DENIED. See United States v. 

Wagner, 158 F.3d 901, 902-03 (5th Cir. 1998).

 Case: 16-50103 Document: 00513716719 Page: 2 Date Filed: 10/13/2016