Court Opinion

ID: 176085
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-09-28 19:48:35+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:25:37.717024
License: Public Domain

NOT PRECEDENTIAL

                      UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                           FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
                               _______________

                                    No. 10-1777
                                  _______________

                          UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                          v.

                                ANGEL GONZALEZ,

                                            Appellant
                                  _______________

                    On Appeal from the United States District Court
                             For the District of New Jersey
                    (D.C. Criminal Action No. 1-10-cr-00008-001)
                      District Judge: Honorable Renee M. Bumb
                                   _______________

                      Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
                                 September 24, 2010
                                 _______________

       Before: MCKEE, Chief Judge, AMBRO and CHAGARES, Circuit Judges

                          Opinion filed: September 28, 2010
                                 _______________

                                     OPINION
                                  _______________

AMBRO, Circuit Judge

      Angel Gonzalez pled guilty to a single count of possession of contraband in a

federal correctional facility. He was sentenced to six months of imprisonment and now

appeals his sentence. Gonzalez’s attorney has moved to withdraw as counsel under
Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), asserting that all potential grounds for appeal

are frivolous. Gonzalez has not filed a pro se brief. We grant the motion and affirm

Gonzalez’s sentence.

                                             I.

       Because we write solely for the parties, we recite only those facts necessary to our

decision. In December 2008 Angel Gonzalez was serving a 151 month sentence for

federal conspiracy and drug distribution convictions at the Federal Correctional

Institution-Fort Dix in Fort Dix, New Jersey, when he was found with marijuana in his

pocket in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1791(a)(2) and (b)(3). Criminal charges were filed

nearly one year later, in November 2009. In January 2010 Gonzalez waived indictment

and pled guilty to a single count of possession of contraband in a federal correctional

facility. He was sentenced in March 2010.

       As part of the plea agreement, Gonzalez and the Government agreed that neither

party would appeal if Gonzalez received a sentence within the Guidelines range of zero to

six months of imprisonment. From December 2008 until his sentencing in March 2010,

Gonzalez was in disciplinary segregation in the Special Housing Unit. Moreover, his

family visiting privileges were revoked for 18 months, his general visiting privileges

were revoked for 36 months, and he forfeited 40 days of good time credit.

       Gonzalez’s counsel requested designation to a halfway house as a condition of

supervised release rather than additional prison time. He argued that a downward

variance was appropriate given the significant punishment the Bureau of Prisons had

already imposed in the time between the offense and Gonzalez’s sentencing. The

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Government argued that Gonzalez should be sentenced within the Guidelines range based

on his criminal history and the need for specific and general deterrence.

       The District Court imposed a sentence of six months of imprisonment consecutive

to the term Gonzalez was already serving. The sentence imposed was at the top of, but

within, the Guidelines range.

                                              II.

       Our rules provide that “[w]here, upon review of the district court record, trial

counsel is persuaded that the appeal presents no issue of even arguable merit, counsel

may file a motion to withdraw and supporting brief pursuant to Anders.” 3d Cir. L.A.R.

109.2(a). If we concur with trial counsel’s assessment, we “will grant [the] Anders

motion, and dispose of the appeal without appointing new counsel.” Id. Accordingly,

our “inquiry is . . . twofold: (1) whether counsel adequately fulfilled the rule’s

requirements; and (2) whether an independent review of the record presents any

nonfrivolous issues.” United States v. Youla, 241 F.3d 296, 300 (3d Cir. 2001).

       In her Anders brief, Gonzalez’s attorney identified three potential grounds for

appeal: (1) the District Court’s jurisdiction; (2) the validity of Gonzalez’s plea; and (3)

the reasonableness and legality of his sentence.

       Our review of the record confirms counsel’s assessment that there are no

nonfrivolous issues for appeal. First, we agree that the District Court had jurisdiction

under 18 U.S.C. § 3231.

       Second, Gonzalez’s plea was entered pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement. At

his sentencing hearing, he was sworn and waived his right to an indictment. He was

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advised by the Court of his constitutional rights (including the right to a jury trial), the

Government’s burden of proof, and the presumption of innocence. The Court confirmed

that Gonzalez wished to waive those rights, was mentally competent, understood the

nature of the proceedings and the consequences of a guilty plea, and that his decision to

plead guilty was knowing and voluntary. Gonzalez had discussed fully the case and plea

agreement with his counsel, and a factual basis for the plea was established on the record

and under oath. App. at 22-48. The requirements of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of

Criminal Procedure were met. Therefore, we agree with counsel’s assessment that there

is no basis for appeal of Gonzalez’s guilty plea.

       Third, we review Gonzalez’s sentence for procedural and substantive

reasonableness. United States v. Lessner, 498 F.3d 185, 203 (3d Cir. 2007). The District

Court correctly calculated the advisory Guidelines range, listened to Gonzalez’s

arguments, and considered each of the sentencing factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). It

denied Gonzalez’s request to be placed in a halfway house as a condition of supervised

release because a sentence within the Guidelines range was required to “promote respect

for the law,” give “some teeth” to the punishment, and provide specific and general

deterrence. App. at 63-64. The Court explained why a Guidelines sentence was

appropriate, and why a non-Guidelines sentence was inappropriate, and sentenced

Gonzalez within the Guidelines range in the plea agreement. App. at 62-64. Therefore,

we agree with counsel that there is no non-frivolous basis for Gonzalez to appeal his

sentence.

                                       * * * * *

                                               4
       Counsel adequately fulfilled the requirements of Anders. Because our

independent review of the record fails to reveal any nonfrivolous ground for appeal, we

grant counsel’s motion to withdraw and affirm Gonzalez’s sentence. 1 In addition, we

certify that that the issues presented lack legal merit and that counsel is not required to

file a petition for writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court. 3d Cir. L.A.R. 109.2(b).

1
 Gonzalez is hereby advised that under the Criminal Justice Act counsel is not obliged to file a
petition for rehearing in this Court or a petition for writ of certiorari in the United States
Supreme Court. See L.A.R. 35.4; 109.2(b). If Gonzalez wishes to pursue these avenues, he must
do so pro se.
        Should Gonzalez wish to file before us a petition for rehearing en banc, an original and
14 copies of the petition must be filed within 14 days of the entry of judgment, or if that time has
passed, he may promptly file a motion to enlarge the time for such filing. Counsel shall timely
send a copy of this order to Gonzalez.
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