NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT ______________
No. 24-2699 ______________
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.
WILBERT WILSON, Appellant ______________
On Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (D.C. No. 1:22-cr-00082-001) U.S. District Judge: Honorable Maryellen Noreika ______________
Submitted Under Third Circuit L.A.R. 34.1(a) May 16, 2025 ______________
Before: SHWARTZ, MATEY, and FREEMAN, Circuit Judges.
(Filed: May 19, 2025) ______________
OPINION * ______________
SHWARTZ, Circuit Judge.
* This disposition is not an opinion of the full Court and, pursuant to I.O.P. 5.7, does not constitute binding precedent. Wilbert Wilson appeals his conviction for possession of a firearm as a convicted
felon. His counsel has filed a motion to withdraw under Anders v. California, 386 U.S.
738 (1967). Because there are no nonfrivolous issues warranting review, we will grant
his counsel’s motion and affirm.
I
In 2021, Wilson, a previously convicted felon, sold a firearm and ammunition, and
arranged to sell methamphetamine, to confidential informants. A grand jury indicted
Wilson for possession of a firearm as a felon in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and
924(a)(2).
Wilson pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement. Before Wilson entered his
plea, the District Court explained to him and determined that he understood the nature of
the charges, the maximum penalties he faced, his right to plead not guilty, his trial rights,
the Sentencing Guidelines, and the Court’s sentencing obligations. The Court thereafter
sentenced him to 96 months’ imprisonment. Wilson appealed. The Government
conceded that there was an error that increased Wilson’s Guidelines range, and we
thereafter vacated the sentence and remanded for resentencing.
At the resentencing, the parties jointly requested a sentence of 66 months’
imprisonment, which was within the recalculated the advisory Guidelines sentencing
range of 63 to 78 months, the District Court summarized its prior analysis of the
§ 3553(a) factors, and the Court imposed the requested sentence without objection.
2 Wilson appeals and his counsel moved to withdraw under Anders. 1
II 2
Our local rules allow a defendant’s counsel to file a motion to withdraw and an
accompanying brief under Anders when he concludes, upon review of the record, that
“the appeal presents no issue of even arguable merit.” 3d Cir. L.A.R. 109.2(a). When
counsel submits an Anders brief, we must determine: “(1) whether counsel adequately
fulfilled the rule’s requirements; and (2) whether an independent review of the record
presents any nonfrivolous issues.” United States v. Youla, 241 F.3d 296, 300 (3d Cir.
2001) (citations omitted); see also United States v. Brookins, 132 F.4th 659, 666 (3d Cir.
2025). 3
A
To determine whether counsel has fulfilled his Anders obligations, we examine his
brief to see if it (1) shows that he thoroughly examined the record in search of appealable
issues and identified those that arguably support the appeal, , and (2) explains why any of
1 Although he was permitted to do so, Wilson did not file a pro se brief. 2 The District Court had jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 3231. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. In conducting an Anders analysis, we exercise plenary review to determine whether there are any nonfrivolous issues for appeal. Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 80-83 & n.6 (1988). 3 An issue is frivolous if it “lacks any basis in law or fact.” McCoy v. Ct. of Appeals of Wis., Dist. 1, 486 U.S. 429, 438 n.10 (1988); see also Brookins, 132 F.4th at 665 (explaining that “[i]f there is an issue that is ‘arguable’ on its merits, then the appeal is not frivolous”). 3 the identified issues are frivolous, Brookins, 132 F.4th at 666; United States v. Marvin,
211 F.3d 778, 780-81 (3d Cir. 2000). Wilson’s counsel has fulfilled these obligations.
Because Wilson pleaded guilty, his appealable issues are limited to (1) the District
Court’s jurisdiction, (2) the voluntariness of his plea, and (3) the legality and
reasonableness of his sentence. See Menna v. New York, 423 U.S. 61, 62 (1975) (per
curiam); United States v. Broce, 488 U.S. 563, 569 (1989); 18 U.S.C. § 3742. Counsel’s
brief confirms that the District Court had jurisdiction and explains why any challenge to
Wilson’s plea would be frivolous. In a separate letter, counsel stated that Wilson does
not challenge the lawfulness or reasonableness of his sentence. Accordingly, because
counsel has explained why any of the possible appealable issues would be frivolous, he
has fulfilled his Anders obligations. Youla, 241 F.3d at 300.
B
We next independently review the record to confirm that no nonfrivolous
appealable issues exist. When, as here, counsel satisfies Anders’s requirements, “we may
limit our review of the record to the issues counsel raised.” United States v. Langley, 52
F.4th 564, 569 (3d Cir. 2022). We have reviewed the record and agree with counsel that
any challenge to the District Court’s jurisdiction or to Wilson’s plea would be frivolous.
First, the District Court had jurisdiction because Wilson was charged with
possession of a firearm as a convicted felon in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and
4 924(a)(2), which is a federal offense. 4 See 18 U.S.C. § 3231. Thus, any challenge to the
District Court’s jurisdiction would be baseless.
Second, any challenge to the voluntariness of Wilson’s plea would lack merit.
The Constitution and Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11 require courts, before
accepting a guilty plea, to “advise the defendant . . . of the waiver of certain constitutional
rights[,] . . . the nature of the charges to which he . . .is pleading guilty, the ‘maximum
possible penalty’ to which he . . .is exposed, [and] the court’s ‘obligation to apply the
Sentencing Guidelines’” as well as its discretion to depart from them. United States v.
Schweitzer, 454 F.3d 197, 202-03 (3d Cir. 2006) (quoting Fed. R. Crim. P.
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NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT ______________
No. 24-2699 ______________
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.
WILBERT WILSON, Appellant ______________
On Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (D.C. No. 1:22-cr-00082-001) U.S. District Judge: Honorable Maryellen Noreika ______________
Submitted Under Third Circuit L.A.R. 34.1(a) May 16, 2025 ______________
Before: SHWARTZ, MATEY, and FREEMAN, Circuit Judges.
(Filed: May 19, 2025) ______________
OPINION * ______________
SHWARTZ, Circuit Judge.
* This disposition is not an opinion of the full Court and, pursuant to I.O.P. 5.7, does not constitute binding precedent. Wilbert Wilson appeals his conviction for possession of a firearm as a convicted
felon. His counsel has filed a motion to withdraw under Anders v. California, 386 U.S.
738 (1967). Because there are no nonfrivolous issues warranting review, we will grant
his counsel’s motion and affirm.
I
In 2021, Wilson, a previously convicted felon, sold a firearm and ammunition, and
arranged to sell methamphetamine, to confidential informants. A grand jury indicted
Wilson for possession of a firearm as a felon in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and
924(a)(2).
Wilson pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement. Before Wilson entered his
plea, the District Court explained to him and determined that he understood the nature of
the charges, the maximum penalties he faced, his right to plead not guilty, his trial rights,
the Sentencing Guidelines, and the Court’s sentencing obligations. The Court thereafter
sentenced him to 96 months’ imprisonment. Wilson appealed. The Government
conceded that there was an error that increased Wilson’s Guidelines range, and we
thereafter vacated the sentence and remanded for resentencing.
At the resentencing, the parties jointly requested a sentence of 66 months’
imprisonment, which was within the recalculated the advisory Guidelines sentencing
range of 63 to 78 months, the District Court summarized its prior analysis of the
§ 3553(a) factors, and the Court imposed the requested sentence without objection.
2 Wilson appeals and his counsel moved to withdraw under Anders. 1
II 2
Our local rules allow a defendant’s counsel to file a motion to withdraw and an
accompanying brief under Anders when he concludes, upon review of the record, that
“the appeal presents no issue of even arguable merit.” 3d Cir. L.A.R. 109.2(a). When
counsel submits an Anders brief, we must determine: “(1) whether counsel adequately
fulfilled the rule’s requirements; and (2) whether an independent review of the record
presents any nonfrivolous issues.” United States v. Youla, 241 F.3d 296, 300 (3d Cir.
2001) (citations omitted); see also United States v. Brookins, 132 F.4th 659, 666 (3d Cir.
2025). 3
A
To determine whether counsel has fulfilled his Anders obligations, we examine his
brief to see if it (1) shows that he thoroughly examined the record in search of appealable
issues and identified those that arguably support the appeal, , and (2) explains why any of
1 Although he was permitted to do so, Wilson did not file a pro se brief. 2 The District Court had jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 3231. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. In conducting an Anders analysis, we exercise plenary review to determine whether there are any nonfrivolous issues for appeal. Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 80-83 & n.6 (1988). 3 An issue is frivolous if it “lacks any basis in law or fact.” McCoy v. Ct. of Appeals of Wis., Dist. 1, 486 U.S. 429, 438 n.10 (1988); see also Brookins, 132 F.4th at 665 (explaining that “[i]f there is an issue that is ‘arguable’ on its merits, then the appeal is not frivolous”). 3 the identified issues are frivolous, Brookins, 132 F.4th at 666; United States v. Marvin,
211 F.3d 778, 780-81 (3d Cir. 2000). Wilson’s counsel has fulfilled these obligations.
Because Wilson pleaded guilty, his appealable issues are limited to (1) the District
Court’s jurisdiction, (2) the voluntariness of his plea, and (3) the legality and
reasonableness of his sentence. See Menna v. New York, 423 U.S. 61, 62 (1975) (per
curiam); United States v. Broce, 488 U.S. 563, 569 (1989); 18 U.S.C. § 3742. Counsel’s
brief confirms that the District Court had jurisdiction and explains why any challenge to
Wilson’s plea would be frivolous. In a separate letter, counsel stated that Wilson does
not challenge the lawfulness or reasonableness of his sentence. Accordingly, because
counsel has explained why any of the possible appealable issues would be frivolous, he
has fulfilled his Anders obligations. Youla, 241 F.3d at 300.
B
We next independently review the record to confirm that no nonfrivolous
appealable issues exist. When, as here, counsel satisfies Anders’s requirements, “we may
limit our review of the record to the issues counsel raised.” United States v. Langley, 52
F.4th 564, 569 (3d Cir. 2022). We have reviewed the record and agree with counsel that
any challenge to the District Court’s jurisdiction or to Wilson’s plea would be frivolous.
First, the District Court had jurisdiction because Wilson was charged with
possession of a firearm as a convicted felon in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and
4 924(a)(2), which is a federal offense. 4 See 18 U.S.C. § 3231. Thus, any challenge to the
District Court’s jurisdiction would be baseless.
Second, any challenge to the voluntariness of Wilson’s plea would lack merit.
The Constitution and Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11 require courts, before
accepting a guilty plea, to “advise the defendant . . . of the waiver of certain constitutional
rights[,] . . . the nature of the charges to which he . . .is pleading guilty, the ‘maximum
possible penalty’ to which he . . .is exposed, [and] the court’s ‘obligation to apply the
Sentencing Guidelines’” as well as its discretion to depart from them. United States v.
Schweitzer, 454 F.3d 197, 202-03 (3d Cir. 2006) (quoting Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(b)).
The District Court’s plea colloquy complied with these requirements. 5 The Court
placed Wilson under oath and explained that the Government could use any statement he
made under oath against him. The Court confirmed Wilson’s competence and that he had
not been forced to enter a guilty plea. The Court then explained Wilson’s constitutional
rights, including his rights to (1) plead not guilty and proceed to trial with the assistance
of counsel who could confront, cross examine, and subpoena witnesses; (2) testify or not
testify at trial; and (3) be presumed innocent unless the Government proved his guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt. The Court also described the elements of the charged
offense, the maximum penalty and other consequences he might face, and the Sentencing
4 Our review of jurisdictional issues is plenary. United States v. Williams, 369 F.3d 250, 252 (3d Cir. 2004). 5 Because there were no objections to the plea before the District Court, we review for plain error. United States v. Vonn, 535 U.S. 55, 59 (2002). 5 Guidelines. The Court also confirmed that there was a factual basis for Wilson’s plea.
Thus, the record shows that the plea proceeding complied with the Constitution and Rule
11 and it supports the Court’s finding that the plea was knowing and voluntary.
Therefore, there is no issue of arguable merit concerning the plea’s validity.
Finally, counsel represents that because Wilson appeals “from [his] conviction
only,” “[t]here are no sentencing issues in this appeal.” Dkt. 20. Even if he had raised
sentencing issues on appeal, our review of the record confirms that Wilson would have
no nonfrivolous challenges to his sentence. 6 Wilson’s sentence is procedurally
reasonable because the District Court (1) accurately calculated the applicable Guidelines
range, (2) had no departure motions before it, and (3) meaningfully considered all the
relevant § 3553(a) factors. See United States v. Gunter, 462 F.3d 237, 247 (3d Cir.
2006). Moreover, because Wilson’s sentence falls within the Guidelines range, we may
presume its substantive reasonableness, see Rita v. United States, 551 U.S. 338, 346-47
(2007), and nothing in the record suggests that no reasonable sentencing court would
impose the same sentence, see United States v. Tomko, 562 F.3d 558, 568 (3d Cir. 2009)
(en banc). Therefore, Wilson and his counsel appropriately did not challenge the
procedural or substantive reasonableness of his sentence.
6 Because Wilson did not object to the procedural reasonableness of his sentence before the District Court, we review for plain error. United States v. Flores-Mejia, 759 F.3d 253, 256 (3d Cir. 2014) (en banc). We review the substantive reasonableness of his sentence for abuse of discretion. United States v. Pawlowski, 27 F.4th 897, 911 (3d Cir. 2022). 6 Accordingly, there are no nonfrivolous issues on appeal.
III
For the foregoing reasons, we will grant counsel’s motion to withdraw and affirm.