People v. Castano CA4/1

I.

INTRODUCTION

Eutiquio Castano pled guilty to one count of robbery (Pen. Code, § 211)1 and

admitted a gang enhancement (§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)). Castano also admitted having

suffered a prior strike conviction (§§ 667, subds. (b)-(i), 668, 1170.12). The trial court

sentenced Castano to an aggregate sentence of 14 years in prison, consisting of the low

term of two years for the robbery, doubled to four years due to the strike prior, and a

consecutive term of 10 years for the gang enhancement.

Appointed appellate counsel filed a brief presenting no argument for reversal, but

inviting this court to review the record for error in accordance with People v. Wende

(1979) 25 Cal.3d 436 (Wende). After having independently reviewed the entire record

for error, as required by Anders v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 738 (Anders) and Wende,

we affirm.

Unless otherwise specified, all subsequent statutory references are to the Penal Code.

II.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. Factual background2

Castano unlawfully, by means of force and fear, took personal property from the

victim, Quincy P. In engaging in such conduct, Castano acted in association with…