Manuel Gonzalez, Jr., appointed counsel for Gilberto Santiesteban, Sr. in this direct criminal appeal, has moved to withdraw from further representation of Santieste-ban and filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967). Our independent review of the entire record reveals that counsel’s assessment of the relative merit of the appeal is correct. Because independent examination of the entire record reveals no arguable issues of merit, counsel’s motion to withdraw is GRANTED, and Santiesteban’s conviction and sentence are AFFIRMED. The government’s motion to dismiss the appeal pursuant to Santies-teban’s sentence-appeal waiver is DENIED AS MOOT.