Court Opinion

ID: 4257899
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-03-23 20:00:17.016203+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:02:47.387851
License: Public Domain

NOT PRECEDENTIAL

                        UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                             FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
                                  ____________

                                       No. 17-2598
                                      ____________

                            UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                             v.

                                    RASHEED WISE,

                                                Appellant
                                      ____________

                     On Appeal from the United States District Court
                               for the District of New Jersey
                              (D.C. No. 1-16-cr-00576-001)
                     District Judge: Honorable Joseph H. Rodriguez
                                       ____________

                      Submitted Under Third Circuit L.A.R. 34.1(a)
                                   March 22, 2018

           Before: SMITH, Chief Judge, HARDIMAN, and BIBAS, Circuit Judges.

                                 (Filed: March 23, 2018)
                                      ____________

                                        OPINION *
                                      ____________

       *
        This disposition is not an opinion of the full Court and pursuant to I.O.P. 5.7 does
not constitute binding precedent.
HARDIMAN, Circuit Judge.

       Rasheed Wise appeals his judgment of sentence. Because Wise waived his right to

appeal and there are no nonfrivolous issues for appeal, we will grant his counsel’s motion

to withdraw pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), and dismiss the

appeal.

                                              I

       Wise pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with

intent to distribute cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. Although Wise’s offense level

was 29, the Government agreed not to oppose a downward variance if he was sentenced

between 100 and 125 months’ imprisonment (the range applicable to an offense level of

24 and a criminal history category of VI). In return, Wise agreed not to file any appeal,

collateral attack, or other writ or motion if his sentence fell within or below that range.

       Wise pleaded guilty in the United States District Court for the District of New

Jersey to the one-count Information described in the plea agreement. The District Court

engaged in a colloquy with Wise under Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal

Procedure, and ensured that he understood the rights he would be waiving by pleading

guilty, the specific stipulations in the plea agreement, and the appellate waiver provision

contained in the plea agreement. After establishing a sufficient factual basis for the plea

and concluding that it was knowingly and voluntarily made, the District Court accepted

Wise’s guilty plea.

                                              2
       Although the Probation Office calculated Wise’s advisory Guidelines range at

151–188 months’ imprisonment, the District Court varied downward, sentencing Wise to

100 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release. Wise filed this appeal,

and his counsel moved to withdraw under Anders. Wise has not submitted a pro se brief.

                                            II 1

       When appointed counsel finds his client’s appeal to be “wholly frivolous,” “he

should so advise the court and request permission to withdraw.” Anders, 386 U.S. at 744.

We then consider whether: (1) “counsel adequately fulfilled the [Anders] requirements,”

and (2) “an independent review of the record presents any nonfrivolous issues.” United

States v. Youla, 241 F.3d 296, 300 (3d Cir. 2001).

       To meet the first prong, counsel must thoroughly examine the record in search of

appealable issues and explain why they are frivolous. 3d Cir. L.A.R. 109.2(a). “[C]ounsel

need not discuss every possible issue,” but must assure the Court that “no further

discussion of other areas of the case is necessary.” United States v. Marvin, 211 F.3d 778,

780–81 (3d Cir. 2000) (quoting United States v. Tabb, 125 F.3d 583, 585 (7th Cir.

1997)).

       Here, counsel’s brief meets this standard, and an independent review of the record

reveals no nonfrivolous issues. Counsel examined the record in search of appealable

       1
        The District Court had jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 3231. We have jurisdiction
under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742. We exercise plenary review to determine
whether the record presents any nonfrivolous issues. Simon v. Gov’t of V.I., 679 F.3d 109,
114 (3d Cir. 2012).
                                             3
issues. After noting the appellate waiver, counsel states that he examined the guilty plea

colloquy transcript, the sentencing transcript, the plea agreement, the draft and final PSR,

the judgment, and the Rule 11 Application for Permission to Enter a Guilty Plea before

concluding that there were no nonfrivolous issues for appeal. Counsel’s brief explains

that Wise knowingly and voluntarily pleaded guilty in a written plea agreement. Counsel

further notes that the sentence imposed was within the agreed-upon Guidelines range and

there were no unresolved sentencing issues. For these reasons, the brief concludes that

there is no nonfrivolous basis to challenge the reasonableness of Wise’s sentence.

Counsel’s Anders brief is therefore sufficient, and we will proceed to consider whether

the appellate waiver is enforceable.

       “If done knowingly and voluntarily, a statutorily created right to appeal is

generally held to be waiveable.” United States v. Khattak, 273 F.3d 557, 561 (3d Cir.

2001). We agree with counsel that Wise’s appellate waiver was both knowing and

voluntary. The waiver states, in relevant part:

       Rasheed Wise knows that he has and, except as noted below in this
       paragraph, voluntarily waives, the right to file any appeal, any collateral
       attack, or any other writ or motion, including but not limited to an appeal
       under 18 U.S.C. § 3742 or a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, which
       challenges the sentence imposed by the sentencing court if that sentence
       falls within or below the Guidelines range that results from the total
       Guidelines offense level of 24.

App. 20. As mentioned, the District Court sentenced Wise to 100 months’ imprisonment,

which is at the bottom of the Guidelines range that results from an offense level of 24 and

a criminal history category of VI. See USSG Ch. 5, Pt. A (Sentencing Table).
                                             4
       The District Court engaged in a thorough colloquy at the change of plea hearing,

asking Wise: “Do you understand that as set forth in your plea agreement, you have

waived the right to file any appeal, collateral attack or any other writ or motion . . . if that

sentence falls within or below the guideline range that results from a total guidelines

offense level of 24?” App. 44. Wise responded, “Yes.” Id. The Court then asked: “Do

you understand that your plea agreement only allows you to challenge your sentence if

the Court imposes a prison term above those ranges or to challenge the Court’s

determination of your criminal history category?” Id. Wise again responded, “Yes.” Id.

The plea colloquy shows that Wise knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to appeal.

                                       *       *       *

       For the foregoing reasons, we will grant counsel’s motion to withdraw and dismiss

Wise’s appeal. 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).

                                               5