United States of America v. Michael Johnathon Vela, also known as Michael Johnathan Vela

United States Court of Appeals
For the Eighth Circuit
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No. 21-1926
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United States of America
lllllllllllllllllllllPlaintiff - Appellee
v.
Michael Johnathon Vela, also known as Michael Johnathan Vela
lllllllllllllllllllllDefendant - Appellant
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Appeal from United States District Court
for the Southern District of Iowa - Central
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Submitted: October 26, 2021
Filed: November 4, 2021
[Unpublished]
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Before COLLOTON, SHEPHERD, and STRAS, Circuit Judges.
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PER CURIAM.
Michael Vela appeals the sentence imposed by the district court1 after he
pleaded guilty to a drug offense. His counsel has moved for leave to withdraw, and
1The Honorable John A. Jarvey, Chief Judge, United States District Court for
the Southern District of Iowa.

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has filed a brief under Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), arguing that the
sentence was unreasonable.
Upon careful review, we conclude that the district court did not impose a
substantively unreasonable sentence, as the court properly considered the factors
listed in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) and did not err in weighing the relevant factors. See
United States v. Feemster, 572 F.3d 455, 461-62 (8th Cir. 2009) (sentences are
reviewed for substantive reasonableness under deferential abuse of discretion
standard; abuse of discretion occurs when court fails to consider relevant factor, gives
significant weight to improper or irrelevant factor, or commits clear error of judgment
in weighing appropriate factors).
We have also independently reviewed the record under Penson v. Ohio, 488
U.S. 75 (1988), and we find no non-frivolous issues for appeal. Accordingly, we
affirm the judgment, and we grant counsel’s motion to withdraw.
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