Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Stanley STEPHENS, Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2002-01-22
Citations: 25 F. App'x 194
Docket Number: No. 99-4703
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Stanley STEPHENS, Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 25
Pages: 194–195

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Stanley STEPHENS, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 99-4703.
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
Submitted Dec. 28, 2001.
Decided Jan. 22, 2002.
William R. Williams, Willeox, Buyck & Williams, P.A., Florence, South Carolina, for Appellant. Alfred William Walker Bethea, Assistant United States Attorney, Florence, South Carolina, for Appellee.
Before LUTTIG and TRAXLER, Circuit Judges, and HAMILTON, Senior Circuit Judge.

Opinion:
OPINION
PER CURIAM.
Stanley Stephens appeals his conviction and 262 month sentence entered upon his guilty plea to conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C.A. § 846 (West 1999 & Supp.2001).
On appeal, Stephens' counsel has filed a brief in accordance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), and Stephens has filed supplemental pro se briefs as well. First, Stephens and his counsel argue that his conviction and sentence violate Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000). Stephens' indictment failed to state a drug quantity. We affirm Stephens' conviction but vacate his sentence and remand so that he may be sentenced under 21 U.S.C.A. § 841(b)(1)(C) (West 1999 & Supp.2001). Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 490, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000); United States v. Dinnall, 269 F.3d 418, 423 (4th Cir.2001); United States v. Promise, 255 F.3d 150, 152-57 (4th Cir.2001), petition for cert. filed, Sept. 20, 2001 (No. 01-6398).
Second, Stephens and his counsel argue the district court abused its discretion in failing to grant Stephens' motion to withdraw his guilty plea. We disagree. Stephens has failed to establish that his plea colloquy was plagued by an error affecting his substantial rights. United States v. Puckett, 61 F.3d 1092, 1099 (4th Cir.1995); United States v. Lambey, 974 F.2d 1389, 1394 (4th Cir.1992); United States v. Moore, 931 F.2d 245, 248 (4th Cir.1991).
Third, in Stephens' supplemental pro se briefs, he asserts he received ineffective assistance of counsel in entering his guilty plea. The record does not conclusively establish Stephens received ineffective assistance of counsel. Consequently, we deny this claim without prejudice to Stephens' ability to raise it in a 28 U.S.C.A. § 2255 (West Supp.2001) motion. United States v. King, 119 F.3d 290, 295 (4th Cir.1997).
Accordingly, we affirm Stephens' conviction but vacate and remand for sentencing within the applicable statutory maximum. In accordance with Anders, we have reviewed the entire record in this case and find no other meritorious issues for appeal. This court requires that counsel inform his client, in writing, of his right to petition the Supreme Court of the United States for further review. If the client requests that a petition be filed, but counsel believes that such a petition would be frivolous, then counsel may move in this court for leave to withdraw from representation. Counsel's motion must state that a copy thereof was served on the client.
We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid in the decisional process.
AFFIRMED IN PART; VACATED AND REMANDED IN PART.