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IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit FILED May 23, 2008 No. 06-51619 Summary Calendar Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Plaintiff-Appellee v. JOSE GONZALEZ-VARGAS Defendant-Appellant Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. 2:05-CR-859-ALL Before WIENER, GARZA, and BENAVIDES, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* The attorney appointed to represent Jose Gonzalez-Vargas (Gonzalez) has moved for leave to withdraw and has filed a brief in accordance with Anders v. California,
386 U.S. 738(1967). Gonzalez has filed a response wherein he suggests that his trial counsel was ineffective. Because Gonzalez did not raise this claim in the district court, the record is not sufficiently developed to permit consideration of this claim on direct appeal. See United States v. Cantwell,
470 F.3d 1087, 1091 (5th Cir. 2006). Gonzalez also suggests that his appellate * 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. No. 06-51619 counsel has been ineffective for failing to raise certain sentencing arguments on appeal. Gonzalez’s argument is without merit, however, because the claims are barred by the appeal waiver provision of the plea agreement. Counsel is not required to raise meritless arguments on appeal. See Koch v. Puckett,
907 F.3d 524, 527 (5th Cir. 1990). Our independent review of the record, counsel’s brief, and Gonzalez’s response discloses no nonfrivolous issue for appeal. Accordingly, counsel’s 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. 2
Document Info
Docket Number: 06-51619
Citation Numbers: 278 F. App'x 464
Judges: Benavides, Garza, Per Curiam, Wiener
Filed Date: 5/23/2008
Precedential Status: Non-Precedential
Modified Date: 8/2/2023