Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, v. Wali BENNETT, Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2003-04-16
Citations: 65 F. App'x 396
Docket Number: No. 01-1625
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, v. Wali BENNETT, Appellant.
Judges: Before ROTH, BARRY and FUENTES, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 65
Pages: 396–397

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, v. Wali BENNETT, Appellant.
No. 01-1625.
United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a) on March 3, 2003.
Decided April 16, 2003.
Before ROTH, BARRY and FUENTES, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
OPINION
ROTH, Circuit Judge.
The defendant below, Wali Bennett, was indicted for possession with the intent to distribute some 16 kilograms of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). The cocaine had been seized from Bennett by Drug Enforcement Agents (DEA) after Bennett traveled to Philadelphia from New York by train. Bennett moved to suppress the seized cocaine; the District Court judge denied the motion. Bennett pled guilty to the single count in the indictment and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment.
Bennett appealed, and his counsel filed an appellate brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967). His counsel was unable to identify any non-frivolous issues to support Bennett's appeal and moved to withdraw. As required by Anders, counsel pointed out the issues and portions of the record that might arguably support an appeal. Bennett was given notice of his attorney's desire to withdraw, as required by Anders, so that Bennett could raise any issues for appeal in a pro se brief. Bennett failed to do so. We have reviewed the record and agree that there are no non-frivolous issues to appeal.
Bennett's counsel addressed whether Bennett could base an appeal on the District Court's denial of Bennett's motion to suppress physical evidence, and counsel determined that this claim would be frivolous. We agree. Bennett did not preserve his right to challenge the pretrial suppression ruling and has waived the issue. See, e.g., United States v. Bentz, 21 F.3d 37, 38 (3d Cir.1994) (only a defendant entering into a conditional plea may appeal preserved issues). Additionally, we agree with the District Court that, in view of the totality of the circumstances, Bennett was not subject to a Fourth Amendment seizure. See, e.g., Florida v. Bostick, 501 U.S. 429, 111 S.Ct. 2382, 115 L.Ed.2d 389 (1991). Further, the District Court found that the agents had reasonable suspicion to seize Bennett for the purposes of a Terry investigative stop based on their observations of Bennett's behavior. See generally Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 88 S.Ct. 1868, 20 L.Ed.2d 889 (1968). Finally, the record demonstrates that Bennett voluntarily consented to the agents' search of his bags.
For the foregoing reasons, we will affirm the judgment of the District Court and grant counsel's request to withdraw.