Court Opinion

ID: 9786675
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 00:00:33.770301+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:36:47.526264
License: Public Domain

Case: 22-11106         Document: 00516878390             Page: 1      Date Filed: 08/30/2023

              United States Court of Appeals
                   for the Fifth Circuit
                                      ____________
                                                                                United States Court of Appeals
                                                                                         Fifth Circuit
                                       No. 22-11106
                                     Summary Calendar                                  FILED
                                     ____________                                August 30, 2023
                                                                                  Lyle W. Cayce
   United States of America,                                                           Clerk

                                                                       Plaintiff—Appellee,

                                             versus

   Christopher Charles Gafford,

                                               Defendant—Appellant.
                      ______________________________

                      Appeal from the United States District Court
                          for the Northern District of Texas
                                USDC No. 5:21-CR-40-1
                      ______________________________

   Before Higginbotham, Stewart, and Southwick, Circuit
   Judges.
   Per Curiam: *
          The Federal Public Defender appointed to represent Christopher
   Charles Gafford 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). Gafford has filed two responses. The
   record is not sufficiently developed to allow us to make a fair evaluation of

          _____________________
          *
              This opinion is not designated for publication. See 5th Cir. R. 47.5.
Case: 22-11106      Document: 00516878390           Page: 2   Date Filed: 08/30/2023

                                     No. 22-11106

   Gafford’s claims of ineffective assistance of counsel; we therefore decline to
   consider the claims without prejudice to collateral review. See United States
   v. Isgar, 739 F.3d 829, 841 (5th Cir. 2014).
          We have reviewed counsel’s brief and the relevant portions of the
   record reflected therein, as well as Gafford’s responses. We concur with
   counsel’s assessment that the appeal presents no nonfrivolous issue for
   appellate review.     Accordingly, the motion for leave to withdraw is
   GRANTED, counsel is excused from further responsibilities herein, and
   the appeal is DISMISSED. See 5th Cir. R. 42.2. Gafford’s motion for
   the appointment of new counsel is DENIED as untimely. See United States
   v. Wagner, 158 F.3d 901, 902-03 (5th Cir. 1998).

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