THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Court of Appeals

The State,        Respondent,

v.

Sam Russ Rush,        Appellant.

Appeal From Darlington County
John M. Milling, Circuit Court Judge

Unpublished Opinion No. 2003-UP-331
Submitted March 26, 2003 – Filed May 15, 2003   

APPEAL DISMISSED

Senior Assistant Appellate Defender Wanda H. Haile, of Columbia, for Appellant.

Attorney General Henry Dargan McMaster; Chief Deputy Attorney General John W. McIntosh; Assistant Deputy Attorney General Charles H. Richardson, of Columbia; Jay E. Hodge, Jr., of Cheraw; for Respondent.

PER CURIAM: Sammie Rush was indicted for forgery less than five thousand dollars  and distribution of crack cocaine.  Rush pled guilty to both charges.  He was sentenced to five years, suspended upon the service of three years and three years probation.  Rush appeals, arguing his plea was given involuntarily in violation of Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238 (1969). Counsel for appellant filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), asserting that there were no meritorious grounds for appeal and requesting permission to withdraw from further representation. 

After a careful examination of the record pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967) and State v. Williams, 305 S.C. 116, 406 S.E.2d 357 (1991), we dismiss the appeal and grant counsel’s motion to be relieved.

APPEAL DISMISSED.

CURETON, ANDERSON, and HUFF JJ., concur.