Opinion
No. 06-50326.
The panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed.R.App.P. 34(a)(2).
Filed November 6, 2008.
Becky S. Walker, Esq., Office of the U.S. Attorney, Criminal Division, Los Angeles, CA, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Verna J. Wefald, Esq., Attorney at Law, Pasadena, CA, for Defendant-Appellant.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Ronald S.W. Lew, District Judge, Presiding. D.C. No. CR-04-00177-RSWL-1.
Before HAWKINS, RAWLINSON, and M. SMITH, Circuit Judges.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
Gilbert Lopez Rios, Sr., appeals from his guilty-plea conviction and 93-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute and pos-session with intent to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846, and use or carrying of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), Rios's counsel has filed a brief stating there are no grounds for relief, along with a motion to withdraw as counsel of record. We have provided the appellant the opportunity to file a pro se supplemental brief. No pro se supplemental brief or answering brief has been filed.
Our independent review of the record pursuant to Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 83, 109 S.Ct. 346, 102 L.Ed.2d 300 (1988), discloses no arguable grounds for relief as to appellant's conviction. We dismiss the appeal of the sentence in light of the valid appeal waiver. see United States v. Nguyen, 235 F.3d 1179, 1182 (9th Cir. 2000).
Counsel's motion to withdraw is GRANTED.
The conviction is AFFIRMED, and the appeal of the sentence is DISMISSED.