Court-appointed counsel for Frederick Lamar Hawthorne has requested leave to withdraw and has filed a brief as required by Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967). Although he was notified of counsel’s motion, Hawhthorne has filed no response.

Our independent review of counsel’s brief and the record discloses no nonfrivolous issue for appeal with respect to Hawthorne’s conviction. As part of his plea agreement, Hawthorne validly waived his right to directly appeal his sentence. See United States v. Portillo, 18 F.3d 290, 292 (5th Cir. 1994).

Accordingly, counsel’s motion for leave to withdraw is GRANTED, counsel is excused from further responsibilities herein, and the APPEAL IS DISMISSED. See 5th Cm. R. 42.2.