United States v. Land

UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,  Plaintiff-Appellee, v.  No. 02-4573 ISIAH LAND, Defendant-Appellant.  Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, at Norfolk. Rebecca Beach Smith, District Judge. (CR-01-197) Submitted: April 17, 2003 Decided: April 23, 2003 Before WIDENER, WILLIAMS, and MOTZ, Circuit Judges. Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. COUNSEL Jon M. Babineau, SAUNDERS, BABINEAU & BREWBAKER, L.L.C., Suffolk, Virginia, for Appellant. Paul J. McNulty, United States Attorney, James Ashford Metcalfe, Assistant United States Attorney, Norfolk, Virginia, for Appellee. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. See Local Rule 36(c). 2 UNITED STATES v. LAND OPINION PER CURIAM: Isiah Land pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a fire- arm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2)-(e) (2000). Land was sentenced to 235 months incarceration. Land’s attorney has filed a brief in accordance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), asserting the district court erred in denying Land a downward departure based on Land’s physical condition. U.S. Sentencing Guide- lines §§ 5H1.4, K2.0 (2000) (p.s.). The district court acknowledged its authority to grant a downward departure, but chose not to do so. Accordingly, this claim is not reviewable on appeal. United States v. Bayerle, 898 F.2d 28, 31 (4th Cir. 1990). Land has filed a pro se brief asserting his guilty plea was involun- tary. We review this claim de novo. United States v. Damon, 191 F.3d 561, 564 n.2 (4th Cir. 1999). This claim is meritless. Land’s plea col- loquy statements establish that he voluntarily pleaded guilty. United States v. DeFusco, 949 F.2d 114, 119 (4th Cir. 1991). Land’s remain- ing challenges to his counsel’s assistance, and to the district court’s determination of his criminal history and sentence, are foreclosed by his plea agreement waiver of appellate rights. United States v. Willis, 992 F.2d 489, 490 (4th Cir. 1993). Accordingly, we affirm Land’s conviction and sentence. In accor- dance with Anders, we have reviewed the entire record in this case and find no other meritorious issues for appeal. This court requires that counsel inform his client, in writing, of his right to petition the Supreme Court of the United States for further review. If the client requests such a petition be filed, but counsel believes that such a peti- tion would be frivolous, then counsel may move in this court for leave to withdraw from representation. Counsel’s motion must state that a copy thereof was served on the client. We dispense with oral argu- ment because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid in the decisional process. AFFIRMED