US v. Alonzo Johnson

Filing

UNPUBLISHED PER CURIAM OPINION filed. Motion disposition in opinion--denying Motion for other relief [998208202-2]; denying Motion to appoint/assign counsel [998143711-2] Originating case number: 3:07-cr-00061-FDW-6 Copies to all parties and the district court/agency. [998422046] [09-4053]

US v. Alonzo Johnson

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Case: 09-4053 Document: 87

Date Filed: 09/10/2010

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UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT No. 09-4053 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. ALONZO LEE JOHNSON, a/k/a Lil Zo, Defendant - Appellant.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, at Charlotte. Frank D. Whitney, District Judge. (3:07-cr-00061-FDW-6) Submitted: August 30, 2010 Decided: September 10, 2010

Before NIEMEYER, KING, and SHEDD, Circuit Judges. Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Eric A. Bach, Charlotte, North Carolina, for Appellant. Amy Elizabeth Ray, Assistant United States Attorney, Asheville, North Carolina, for Appellee. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

Dockets.Justia.com

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PER CURIAM: Alonzo Lee Johnson pled guilty to conspiracy to

possess with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of cocaine base in violation The of 21 U.S.C. court §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), within 846 the

(2006).

district

sentenced

Johnson

advisory Guidelines range to 160 months' imprisonment. On appeal, counsel filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), noting no meritorious issues for appeal, but questioning the voluntariness of Johnson's plea and whether the sentence imposed was reasonable. Johnson filed

a pro se supplemental brief raising the same issues and arguing that he is entitled disparities to a sentence reduction powder based and on the

sentencing base.

involving

cocaine

cocaine

Finding no error, we affirm. We have reviewed the record and conclude that the

district court substantially complied with the requirements of Fed. R. Crim. P. 11 and ensured that Johnson's plea was knowing and voluntary. We also conclude that the district court imposed

a sentence that is procedurally and substantively reasonable. See Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007) (review of sentence is for abuse of discretion). In accordance with Anders, we have reviewed the entire record in this case and have found no meritorious issues for appeal. We have considered the claims asserted in Johnson's pro 2

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se supplemental brief and conclude they are without merit. therefore affirm the district court's judgment.

We

We also deny

Johnson's motion for substitution of counsel and to place this appeal in abeyance. This court requires that counsel inform Johnson, in writing, of his right to petition the Supreme Court of the

United States for further review.

If Johnson requests that a

petition be filed, but counsel believes that such filing would be frivolous, then counsel may move in this court for leave to withdraw from representation. Counsel's motion must state that

a copy thereof was served on Johnson. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal before contentions the court are and adequately argument presented not in aid the the materials decisional

would

process. AFFIRMED

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