June 24, 2026·2:23-cr-00047-TOR-2·Unpublished·By James Taylor
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Luis Esquivel-Bolanos for drug trafficking and firearm offenses. The panel found no non-frivolous arguments for appeal after an independent review of the record.
Luis Esquivel-Bolanos was convicted by a jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. He was sentenced to an aggregate term of two hundred twenty-eight months for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The court’s reasoning
The panel conducted an independent review of the record pursuant to Penson v. Ohio. The court found no non-frivolous arguments to be made on direct appeal.
What it means going forward
The judgment of the district court stands, and the defendant’s request for new counsel is denied.
