SERRANO v. STATE (2026)

Order Affirming the District Court's Judgment and Sentence

[¶1] This matter came before the Court upon its own motion following notification that Appellant has filed a pro se brief in the time allotted. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Appellant entered an Alford plea to one count of robbery in violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-401(a)(i) and misdemeanor battery in violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-501(b). For the robbery count, the district court imposed a sentence of eight to ten years of incarceration, and for the misdemeanor battery count, the court imposed a sentence of one hundred eighty days of incarceration, running concurrently. Appellant filed this appeal to challenge the district court's October 6, 2025, Judgment and Sentence.

[¶2] On December 5, 2025, Appellant's court-appointed appellate counsel filed a Motion to Withdraw as Counsel, pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493 (1967). This Court entered an Order Granting Motion for Extension of Time to File Pro Se Brief. This Court ordered that Appellant was permitted to file with this Court a pro se brief specifying the issues he would like the Court to consider in this appeal. This Court also provided notice that, after the time for filing a pro se brief expired, this Court would make its ruling on counsel's motion to withdraw and, if appropriate, make a final decision on this appeal. Appellant filed a pro se brief in the time allotted.

[¶3] Now, following a careful review of the Anders brief submitted by appellate counsel, the pro se brief, and the record, this Court finds that appellate counsel's motion to withdraw should be granted and the district court's Judgment and Sentence should be affirmed. It is, therefore,

[¶4] ORDERED that the Wyoming Public Defender's Office, court-appointed counsel for Appellant Manuel Armenta Serrano, is hereby permitted to withdraw as counsel of record for Appellant; and it is further

[¶5] ORDERED that the Natrona County District Court's October 6, 2025, Judgment and Sentence be, and the same hereby is, affirmed.

[¶6] DATED this 22nd day of January, 2026.

BY THE COURT:

/s/ LYNNE BOOMGAARDEN

Chief Justice