UNITED STATES v. DUNLOW (2021)

Brian Lee Dunlow appeals from his conviction and 262-month sentence entered pursuant to his guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1). Dunlow's counsel has filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), stating that there are no meritorious grounds for appeal but questioning whether the district court erred in sentencing him as an armed career criminal. Neither the Government nor Dunlow has filed a brief. We affirm.

The district court found that Dunlow was an armed career criminal based on his prior North Carolina convictions for breaking and entering. However, Dunlow asserts that none of his breaking and entering convictions were committed in a manner that presented any risk of violence. Under the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), a defendant convicted of violating § 922(g)(1) qualifies for an enhanced, 15-year mandatory minimum sentence if he has three prior convictions for violent felonies or serious drug offenses that were “committed on occasions different from one another.” 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(1). We have held on multiple occasions that North Carolina breaking or entering categorically qualifies as a violent felony under the ACCA. See, e.g., United States v. Dodge, 963 F.3d 379, 385 (4th Cir. 2020); United States v. Mungro, 754 F.3d 267, 272 (4th Cir. 2014). Accordingly, Dunlow's challenges to his armed career criminal enhancement are without merit.

In accordance with Anders, we have reviewed the entire record in this case and have found no meritorious grounds for appeal. We therefore affirm the district court's judgment. This court requires that counsel inform Dunlow, in writing, of the right to petition the Supreme Court of the United States for further review. If Dunlow requests that a petition be filed, but counsel believes that such a petition would be frivolous, then counsel may move in this court for leave to withdraw from representation. Counsel's motion must state that a copy thereof was served on Dunlow. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED

PER CURIAM:

Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.