IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 00-51098 Conference Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus VICTOR MENDEZ-VALERA, Defendant-Appellant.

-------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. DR-00-CR-199-ALL-WWJ -------------------- August 21, 2002 Before HIGGINBOTHAM, DAVIS, and PARKER, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:* Court-appointed counsel for Victor Mendez-Valera has requested leave to withdraw as counsel and has filed a brief in accordance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967).

Mendez-Valera has filed a pro se response. Our independent review of the record, counsel’s brief, and Mendez-Valera’s response discloses no nonfrivolous issue. Accordingly, counsel’s motion to withdraw is GRANTED. Counsel is excused from further responsibilities, and the appeal is DISMISSED. See 5TH CIR.

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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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

No. 00-51098 -2- R. 42.2. Mendez-Valera’s motion for appointment of counsel is DENIED.