IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 00-40283 Conference Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus TONY RAY MCDOWELL, Defendant-Appellant.

- - - - - - - - - - Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. M-99-CR-177-2 - - - - - - - - - - April 12, 2001 Before JOLLY, HIGGINBOTHAM, and JONES, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:* Court-appointed counsel for Tony Ray McDowell has requested leave to withdraw as counsel and has filed a brief as required by Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967). McDowell filed a response. Our independent review of the brief, McDowell’s response, and the record discloses no nonfrivolous issue.

Accordingly, counsel’s motion for leave to withdraw is GRANTED, counsel is excused from further responsibilities, and the appeal is DISMISSED.

* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4.