US v. Jerry Wayne Avery, Jr.

Filing 920090827

UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT

No. 09-4020

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. JERRY WAYNE AVERY, JR., Defendant - Appellant.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, at Greensboro. James A. Beaty, Jr., Chief District Judge. (1:07-cr-00302-JAB-1)

Submitted:

August 6, 2009

Decided:

August 27, 2009

Before MICHAEL, SHEDD, and DUNCAN, Circuit Judges.

Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion.

Louis C. Allen, III, Federal Public Defender, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Greensboro, for Appellant. Michael Francis Joseph, Angela Assistant United States Attorneys, Greensboro, for Appellee.

Eric D. Placke, North Carolina, Hewlett Miller, North Carolina,

Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

PER CURIAM: Jerry Wayne Avery, Jr., pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, in

violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B) (2006), and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug

trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i) (2006). Avery received a sentence at the bottom of the

Guidelines range, consisting of concurrent terms of 202 months on the drug counts and a consecutive sixty-month term on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 262 months. a timely notice of appeal. We affirm. Avery filed

On appeal, Avery's counsel filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967). In the brief,

counsel argues that the district court imposed an unreasonably long sentence. Avery was informed of his right to file a pro se

supplemental brief, but has not done so. We review sentences for reasonableness, applying an

abuse of discretion standard of review.

Gall v. United States,

552 U.S. 38, __, 128 S. Ct. 586, 597-98 (2007); United States v. Pauley, 511 F.3d 468, 473 (4th Cir. 2007). We first consider

whether the district court committed any significant procedural error, such as improperly calculating the advisory Guidelines range. cert. United States v. Evans, 526 F.3d 155, 161 (4th Cir.), denied, 129 S. Ct. 476 2 (2008). We then assess the

substantive reasonableness of the sentence imposed, taking into account the totality of the circumstances. Id. Further, we

presume on appeal that a sentence within the advisory Guidelines range is reasonable. at 473. Gall, 128 S. Ct. at 597; Pauley, 511 F.3d

Moreover, we must give due deference to the district

court's decision that the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors justify the sentence. Gall, 128 S. Ct. at 597. Even if we would have

imposed a different sentence, this fact alone is insufficient to justify reversing the district court. Evans, 526 F.3d at 160.

In this case, the district court properly calculated Avery's Guidelines range. In addition, the district court was

aware of Avery's interest in working on gang-prevention programs and his desire to care for his children, the two issues that Avery now says make his sentence unreasonable. court weighed these considerations against The district repeated

Avery's

criminal conduct, the seriousness of the current offenses, and the need for Avery's punishment and deterrence. the sentencing factors, the district court In considering found that a

Guidelines sentence was appropriate. rebutted our appellate presumption

We conclude Avery has not that the district court's

sentence was reasonable. As part of our review in this Anders appeal, we have examined the full record, including the plea colloquy, and we do not find any reversible errors. 3 We therefore affirm Avery's

conviction

and

sentence.

This

court

requires

that

counsel

inform Avery, in writing, of his right to petition the Supreme Court of the United States for further review. If Avery

requests that a petition be filed, but counsel believes that such a petition would be frivolous, then counsel may move in this court for leave to withdraw from representation. Counsel's We

motion must state that a copy thereof was served on Avery. dispense with oral argument because the facts and

legal

contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED

4