Richard E. Shields, appointed counsel for John Roy Blanks, Jr. in this direct criminal appeal, has filed both a motion to withdraw from further representation of Mr. Blanks and a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967). Mr. Blanks has not objected to the Anders brief filed by Mr. Shields, and our independent review of the entire record reveals that Mr. Shields’ assessment of the relative merit of Mr. Blanks’ appeal is correct. Because independent examination of the entire record reveals no arguable issues of merit, Mr. Shields’ motion to withdraw is GRANTED, and Mr. Blanks’ conviction and sentence are AFFIRMED.