NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
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No. 10-1697
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.
ROSS PURDY,
Appellant
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On Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
(D.C. Criminal No. 1-09-cr-00081-001)
District Judge: The Honorable Christopher C. Conner
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Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
May 27, 2011
BEFORE: FUENTES, FISHER, and NYGAARD, Circuit Judges.
(Filed: June 20, 2011)
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OPINION OF THE COURT
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NYGAARD, Circuit Judge.
Ross Purdy appeals his sentence resulting from his plea of guilty to a count of
possession of a firearm as an armed career criminal, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)
and 924(e). Purdy was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment, the mandatory penalty
under the Armed Career Criminal Act. Counsel for Purdy has filed a brief pursuant to
Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), and requested leave to withdraw. Because we
are satisfied that there are no non-frivolous issues which Purdy may appeal, we will
affirm the District Court’s sentence and grant Purdy’s counsel leave to withdraw.
I.
Because we write primarily for the parties, we set forth only the facts and history
that are relevant to our conclusion. Purdy pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement, in
which the parties stipulated that he would receive a sentence of 180 months’
imprisonment. The District Court held a sentencing hearing at which it found the
advisory guidelines calculation accurate, disposed of all objections, and sentenced Purdy
to 180 months’ imprisonment.
Purdy filed a timely notice of appeal. Counsel filed an Anders brief and requested
leave to withdraw. Purdy was given the opportunity to file a brief pro se, but has not
done so.
II.
When a court-appointed appellate counsel can identify no non-frivolous issues for
appeal, she must “so advise the Court and request permission to withdraw,”
accompanying her request with a brief “referring to anything in the record that might
arguably support the appeal.” Anders, 386 U.S. at 744. This brief must show that counsel
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“scoured the record in search of appealable issues” and explain why any issues identified
are “frivolous.” United States v. Marvin, 211 F.3d 778, 780 (3d Cir. 2000). We must
then determine whether counsel “adequately fulfilled the rule’s requirements” and
whether “an independent review of the record presents any nonfrivolous issues.” United
States v. Youla, 241 F.3d 296, 300 (3d Cir. 2001). However, when the Anders brief
appears adequate, we limit our scrutiny to those issues and portions of the record
identified by the brief. Id. at 301.
Here, counsel’s Anders brief appears adequate. Counsel has identified three
possible issues: the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case; the knowingness and
voluntariness of Purdy’s guilty plea; and the reasonableness of Pudy’s sentence. In each
instance, we agree with counsel that the issue is frivolous. Purdy pleaded guilty to a
violation of the law of the United States, namely, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), 924(e). Because
the violation of this law occurred in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the Middle District of
Pennsylvania had jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 3231. The District Court conducted an
adequate colloquy to assure that Purdy understood the nature and consequences of his
plea. See, e.g., Iowa v. Tovar, 541 U.S. 77, 92 (2004). Finally, the District Court
properly considered the factors specified in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) before sentencing Purdy
to a term of imprisonment within the range which he himself had indicated would be
appropriate.
III.
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the sentence of the District Court and grant
defense counsel permission to withdraw from the case. We find that counsel has
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adequately shown that there are no non-frivolous appealable issues and our independent
review of the record reveals that there are no appealable issues of merit. In addition, we
certify 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 of the United States. See Third
Circuit Local Rule 109.2(b).
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