Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Jesus ALVAREZ, Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2016-11-28
Citations: 670 F. App'x 881
Docket Number: No. 16-40474 Cons. w/ No. 15-41076 Summary Calendar
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Jesus ALVAREZ, Defendant-Appellant
Judges: Before JOLLY, SMITH, and GRAVES, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 670
Pages: 881–882

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Jesus ALVAREZ, Defendant-Appellant
No. 16-40474 Cons. w/ No. 15-41076 Summary Calendar
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Date Filed: 11/28/2016
Traci Lynne Kenner, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Texas, Tyler, TX, Ernest Gonzalez, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Texas, Plano, TX, for Plaintiff-Appellee
Jesus Alvarez, Pro Se
Before JOLLY, SMITH, and GRAVES, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
The attorney appointed to represent Je-su's Alvarez has moved in these consolidated appeals for leave to withdraw and 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 United States v. Flores, 632 F.3d 229 (5th Cir. 2011). Alvarez has filed a response.
Included in Alvarez's response is a claim that trial counsel and appellate counsel were ineffective for failing to argue that the district court did not have jurisdiction over his criminal proceedings because Congress does not have the power under the Constitution to create federal crimes. We generally do not review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel on direct appeal. United States v. Isgar, 739 F.3d 829, 841 (5th Cir. 2014). However, this is one of those "rare cases in which the record" permits us to "fairly evaluate the merits of the claim." Id. (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). Alvarez was convicted pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), 21 U.S.C. § 846 and 841. The CSA was enacted pursuant to Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause. See Gonzales v. Raich, 545 U.S. 1, 12-22, 125 S.Ct. 2195, 162 L.Ed.2d 1 (2005). Accordingly, Alvarez has not shown a nonfrivolous issue regarding whether his trial counsel or his appellate counsel- was ineffective for failing to challenge the district court's jurisdiction over his criminal proceedings. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984).
We have reviewed counsel's brief and the relevant portions of the record reflected therein, as well as Alvarez's response. We concur yrith counsel's assessment that the appeals present no nonfrivolous issue, for appellate review. Accordingly, the motion for leave to withdraw is GRANTED, counsel is excused from further responsibilities herein, and the APPEALS ARE DISMISSED. See 5th Cir. R. 42.2. Alvarez's motion for transcripts and the appointment of new counsel is DENIED. See United States v. Wagner, 158 F.3d 901, 902-03 (5th Cir. 1998); see also United States v. Ramos, 390 Fed.Appx. 425, 426 (5th Cir. 2010).
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.