Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, v. Vernice ROBINSON, a/k/a Fats Vernice Robinson, Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2003-01-22
Citations: 55 F. App'x 91
Docket Number: No. 01-1513
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, v. Vernice ROBINSON, a/k/a Fats Vernice Robinson, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 55
Pages: 91–92

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, v. Vernice ROBINSON, a/k/a Fats Vernice Robinson, Appellant.
No. 01-1513.
United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a) Jan. 10, 2003.
Decided Jan. 22, 2003.
Before SCIRICA, BARRY, and SMITH, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
OPINION
BARRY, Circuit Judge.
On June 21, 2001, a grand jury returned an indictment charging appellant Vernice Robinson with two counts of armed bank robbery in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(d) and two counts of brandishing a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). On September 29, 2001, Robinson pled guilty to all four counts of the indictment pursuant to a plea agreement in which he agreed, inter alia, to cooperate in the prosecution of his co-felons in exchange for a motion for a downward departure from the government pursuant to section 5K1.1 of the Sentencing Guidelines. Robinson's plea agreement also clearly stated that Robinson understood, and had explained to him by counsel, that the total possible maximum sentence he faced under the four counts in the indictment would be life imprisonment, a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment of 32 years, 5 years supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
On February 22, 2001, the District Court sentenced Robinson to 286 months imprisonment and five years of supervised release and ordered Robinson to make restitution in the amount of $23,503. This sentence represented a downward departure of nearly eight years from the applicable minimum mandatory sentence, and an enormous downward departure from the otherwise applicable guidelines range of 572 to 619 months, reflecting the District Court's acceptance of the government's 5K1.1 motion and motion under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(e). Six days after he was sentenced, Robinson filed a notice of appeal pro se. Counsel was appointed to represent him and has filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), stating that there are no non-frivolous issues to assert on appeal. He also moves to withdraw as counsel. Robinson received a copy of counsel's Anders brief and was given an opportunity to raise any additional arguments pro se. He did not do so.
Because Robinson entered an unconditional guilty plea on the record in open court, his arguments on appeal are limited to challenging the jurisdiction of the District Court, the validity of the plea, and the legality of the sentence imposed. See United States v. Broce, 488 U.S. 563, 569, 109 S.Ct. 757, 102 L.Ed.2d 927 (1989). The District Court had jurisdiction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3231. Our review of the record, just as the review of appellate counsel, indicates that Robinson's guilty plea was knowing and voluntary and that the District Court complied with the requirements of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure in accepting the plea. Robinson's 286 month sentence was proper, representing a substantial downward departure from the applicable minimum mandatory sentence and from the otherwise applicable guidelines range. We lack jurisdiction to review the extent of the departure.
Accordingly, the judgment of the District Court will be affirmed and counsel's motion to withdraw will be granted.