Opinion
1:22-cr-00250-JLT-SKO
11-14-2022
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. DAMIEN TORRES, Defendant.
HEATHER E. WILLIAMS, CA Bar 122664 Federal Defender JAYA C. GUPTA, CA Bar 312138 Assistant Federal Defender Attorneys for Defendant DAMIEN TORRES
HEATHER E. WILLIAMS, CA Bar 122664
Federal Defender
JAYA C. GUPTA, CA Bar 312138
Assistant Federal Defender
Attorneys for Defendant
DAMIEN TORRES
MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL OF RECORD AND APPOINT CJA COUNSEL
BARBARA A. McAULIFFE, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Jaya C. Gupta, Assistant Federal Defender, and counsel of record in the above-captioned case, hereby moves for an order allowing her to withdraw as counsel of record and for appointment of new counsel to represent defendant DAMIEN TORRES. As grounds, she states:
1. The Federal Defender's Office was appointed to represent Damien Torres on September 14, 2022, at his initial appearance on a criminal complaint. Dkt. #4.
2. At the time of appointment, the undersigned was an Assistant Federal Defender with the Federal Defender's Office in Fresno.
3. The undersigned has taken a position with the Federal Defender's Office in the Central District of California to be closer to her family and anticipates making the transition in late November 2022.
4. As Mr. Torres is still in need to counsel to represent him, our office has contacted CJA panel attorney Serita Rios, who is available and willing to accept the appointment.
5. Accordingly, the undersigned requests that she be permitted to withdraw from the case, and that new counsel, Serita Rios, be appointed.
ORDER
IT IS SO ORDERED that the Office of the Federal Defender may withdraw from its representation of DAMIEN TORRES, and that CJA panel counsel Serita Rios shall be appointed.
IT IS SO ORDERED.