Case: 13-40445 Document: 00512540519 Page: 1 Date Filed: 02/21/2014
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 13-40445
Conference Calendar
United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
FILED
February 21, 2014
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Lyle W. Cayce
Clerk
Plaintiff-Appellee
v.
EDGAR JAVIER RIVERA-GAONA,
Defendant-Appellant
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Southern District of Texas
USDC No. 7:12-CR-1974-1
Before REAVLEY, OWEN, and SOUTHWICK, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM: *
The Federal Public Defender appointed to represent Edgar Javier
Rivera-Gaona (Rivera) has moved for leave to withdraw and has filed a brief
in accordance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), and United States
v. Flores, 632 F.3d 229 (5th Cir. 2011). Rivera has filed a response. The record
is insufficiently developed to allow consideration at this time of Rivera’s claim
of ineffective assistance of counsel; such a claim generally “cannot be resolved
* 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not
be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH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.
Case: 13-40445 Document: 00512540519 Page: 2 Date Filed: 02/21/2014
No. 13-40445
on direct appeal when the claim has not been raised before the district court
since no opportunity existed to develop the record on the merits of the
allegations.” United States v. Cantwell, 470 F.3d 1087, 1091 (5th Cir. 2006)
(internal quotation marks and citation omitted). We have reviewed counsel’s
brief and the relevant portions of the record reflected therein, as well as
Rivera’s response. We concur with counsel’s assessment that the appeal
presents no nonfrivolous issue for appellate review. Accordingly, the 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.
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