Court Opinion

ID: 621840
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2012-01-31 17:46:48+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:50:58.418240
License: Public Domain

NOT PRECEDENTIAL

                      UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                           FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
                                ____________

                                     No. 11-1967
                                    ____________

                            UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                           v.

                                DANIEL PASSARELLA,

                                                           Appellant
                                    ____________

                    On Appeal from the United States District Court
                        for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
                                (D.C. No. 10-po-00005)
                    District Judge: Honorable Malachy E. Mannion
                                    ____________

                      Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
                                  January 27, 2012

           Before: AMBRO, CHAGARES and HARDIMAN, Circuit Judges

                               (Filed: January 31, 2012)
                                    ____________

                              OPINION OF THE COURT
                                   ____________

HARDIMAN, Circuit Judge.

      Daniel Passarella appeals his judgment of sentence after pleading guilty to

possession of a controlled substance and to speeding in the Delaware Water Gap National

Recreation Area (DWG). His attorney has moved to withdraw under Anders v.
California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967). For the following reasons, we will grant counsel‟s

motion to withdraw and affirm the District Court‟s judgment.

                                             I

       Because we write only for the parties, we recount only the essential facts and

procedural history.

       National Park Service rangers stopped Passarella in the DWG after their radar

indicated that he was traveling ninety-three miles per hour. During the traffic stop, they

smelled marijuana and asked Passarella if he had drugs in his vehicle. Passarella

admitted that he did. A search of the vehicle produced approximately three grams of

marijuana, a package of rolling papers, seven $100 bills, and sixteen designer purses.

Passarella received violation notices for possession of a controlled substance and

speeding in the DWG. See 36 C.F.R. §§ 2.35, 4.21.

       On June 18, 2010, Passarella appeared in a group proceeding before a Magistrate

Judge, who advised the offenders of their rights at trial and the maximum penalties for

their offenses. The Magistrate Judge also informed them of their right to counsel and

stated that he was not bound by the Government‟s recommendations regarding their

respective penalties.

       The Magistrate Judge then addressed Passarella individually to ensure that he

understood his rights, was not under the influence of any controlled substances, wished to

                                             2
have counsel appointed, and admitted the facts as related by the Government. Passarella

pleaded guilty to both offenses. The Magistrate Judge deferred sentencing pending

completion of a presentence investigation report (PSR).

       On March 1, 2011, the Magistrate Judge held a sentencing hearing. Passarella‟s

counsel requested a non-custodial sentence, arguing that Passarella had refrained from

substance abuse during pre-trial and post-plea supervision, the longest period he had

remained “clean” since he began abusing drugs. Counsel also emphasized that

incarceration would disrupt Passarella‟s employment. Finally, counsel noted that

Passarella was cooperative and that the Government recommended only a fine.

       The Magistrate Judge found significant that the PSR reflected nineteen arrests and

twelve convictions, eight of which were drug-related. He also observed that Passarella

tested positive for marijuana on the day of his plea and, based on his extensive drug use,

was likely to recidivate. The Magistrate Judge declined to impose a non-custodial

sentence but, acknowledging Passarella‟s arguments, stated that he was opting to impose

a less severe sentence than he initially had contemplated.

       Passarella was sentenced to three months of incarceration for the controlled

substance offense and one year of probation for the speeding offense. In addition, he was

fined $200 and ordered to pay a $70 special assessment and processing fee. Passarella

appealed his sentence to the District Court, which affirmed on March 30, 2011.

                                             3
       This timely appeal followed. Counsel now seeks to withdraw pursuant to Anders,

asserting that there are no non-frivolous issues for appeal.1

                                              II

       We exercise plenary review over an Anders motion. See Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S.

75, 82–83 & n.6 (1988). Under Anders, we ask: (1) whether counsel adequately fulfilled

the requirements of Third Circuit Local Appellate Rule 109.2(a); and (2) whether an

independent review of the record presents any non-frivolous issues. United States v.

Coleman, 575 F.3d 316, 319 (3d Cir. 2009).

       To meet the first prong, counsel must “satisfy the court that [he] has thoroughly

examined the record in search of appealable issues[] and . . . explain[ed] why the issues

are frivolous.” United States v. Youla, 241 F.3d 296, 300 (3d Cir. 2001) (citing United

States v. Marvin, 211 F.3d 778, 780 (3d Cir. 2000)). Counsel need not reject every

possible claim. Id. Rather, he must “provide[] sufficient indicia that he thoroughly

searched the record and the law in service of his client so that we might confidently

consider only those objections raised.” Id. at 301 (quoting Marvin, 211 F.3d at 781).

       “Where the Anders brief initially appears adequate on its face, the proper course

„is for the appellate court to be guided in reviewing the record by the Anders brief itself.‟”

Id. (quoting United States v. Wagner, 103 F.3d 551, 553 (7th Cir. 1996)). If we “find[]

       1
           The District Court had jurisdiction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3231. We have

                                              4
arguable merit to the appeal, or that the Anders brief is inadequate to assist the court in its

review, [we] will appoint substitute counsel, order supplemental briefing and restore the

case to the calendar.” 3d Cir. L.A.R. 109.2(a). However, “we will not appoint new

counsel even if an Anders brief is insufficient” if the “frivolousness [of the appeal] is

patent.” Coleman, 575 F.3d at 321 (quoting Marvin, 211 F.3d at 781) (internal quotation

marks omitted).

       We are satisfied that Passarella‟s attorney has examined the record for appealable

issues and has explained why none of arguable merit exist. Counsel identified three

appealable issues: (1) the District Court‟s jurisdiction, (2) the voluntariness of

Passarella‟s guilty plea, and (3) the reasonableness of the District Court‟s sentence.

Counsel correctly argued that a challenge to any of the three would be frivolous.

       First, the District Court had jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 3231, as Passarella was

charged with violating federal regulations, see 36 C.F.R. §§ 2.35(b), 4.21(c), which

provide for fines of up to $500 and/or terms of imprisonment not exceeding six months,

16 U.S.C. § 3; 36 C.F.R. § 1.3(a). Because Passarella‟s offenses were Class B

misdemeanors, see 18 U.S.C. § 3581(b), the Magistrate Judge had jurisdiction to enter a

judgment of sentence, 28 U.S.C. § 636(a) (authorizing United States magistrate judges to

enter sentences for “petty offenses”); 18 U.S.C. § 19 (defining a Class B misdemeanor as

jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742(a).

                                               5
a “petty offense”).

       Second, the Magistrate Judge complied with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure

11(b) by ensuring that Passarella‟s plea was voluntary. The Magistrate Judge conducted a

group colloquy, informing multiple defendants of their rights with respect to trial. The

Magistrate Judge then personally addressed Passarella to verify that he understood the

colloquy, was not under the influence of controlled substances, admitted to the facts as

related by the Government, and understood the terms of his plea agreement.

       Finally, Passarella‟s sentence was reasonable. Because Passarella was charged

with Class B misdemeanors, the Sentencing Guidelines did not apply. See USSG §

1B1.9. “In the absence of an applicable sentencing guideline, the court shall impose an

appropriate sentence, having due regard for the purposes set forth in [18 U.S.C. §

3553(a)(2)].” 18 U.S.C. § 3553(b)(1). The Magistrate Judge looked to Passarella‟s

extensive record of drug convictions and found a high risk of recidivism. Nevertheless,

the Magistrate Judge imposed a more lenient sentence than initially contemplated in light

of Passarella‟s arguments that he had turned a corner by staying “clean” and employed.

As these were appropriate factors to consider, any challenge to the reasonableness of

Passarella‟s sentence would be frivolous.

                                            III

       We conclude that counsel adequately fulfilled the requirements of Anders, and an

                                             6
independent review of the record reveals no non-frivolous ground for appeal. We

therefore will affirm the District Court‟s judgment of sentence and grant counsel‟s motion

to withdraw. Counsel also is relieved of any obligation to file a petition for writ of

certiorari in the Supreme Court. 3d Cir. L.A.R. 109.2(b).

                                              7