July 6, 2026·1:25-cr-00114-JB-MU-1·Per Curiam·By James Taylor
The Eleventh Circuit granted appointed counsel's motion to withdraw from representing the defendant in a direct criminal appeal. The court affirmed the defendant's convictions and sentences after an independent review found no arguable issues of merit.
Background
Jason Paul Covington appealed his criminal convictions and sentences from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama. Appointed counsel, Domingo Soto, filed a motion to withdraw, submitting a brief pursuant to Anders v. California.
The court’s reasoning
The court conducted an independent review of the entire record to determine if any issues of merit existed. The examination revealed no arguable issues of merit, confirming counsel’s assessment that the appeal was frivolous.
Our independent review of the entire record reveals that counsel’s assessment of the relative merit of the appeal is correct.
USCA11 Case: 25-14136 Document: 18-1
What it means going forward
The defendant’s convictions and sentences stand affirmed, and appointed counsel is relieved of further representation in the direct appeal.
