People v. Easley CA1/5

── People v. Easley CA1/5 ── Court: California Court of Appeal Date: April 27, 2026 Category: General Filed 4/27/26 P. v. Easley CA1/5 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115. IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT DIVISION FIVE THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, A173558 v. ISAIAH REI EASLEY, (Humboldt County Defendant and Appellant. Super. Ct. No. CR2400497) Isaiah Easley appeals from a judgment of conviction and sentence after he entered a guilty plea to criminal threats (count 2; Pen. Code, § 422)1 and admitted a personal-use-of-a-firearm enhancement within the meaning of section 12022.5, subdivision (a). Defendant was sentenced pursuant to the negotiated plea agreement after the trial court denied his motion to withdraw his plea. Defendant filed a notice of appeal challenging the validity of his plea and requested a certificate of probable cause. The trial court granted defendant’s request for a certificate of probable cause. Defendant’s appointed appellate attorney filed a brief asking that we independently review the record, pursuant to People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436 (Wende), to determine if there is any arguable issue on appeal. Counsel declared that defendant was notified a Wende brief was filed and that he could personally 1 All statutory references are to the Penal Code. 1 file a supplemental brief within 30 days raising any issues which he wished the court to consider. We received no response from defendant. We find no arguable issues, and we affirm. BACKGROUND On August 23, 2024, the Humboldt County District Attorney charged defendant by information with assault with a semiautomatic firearm (§ 245, subd. (b); count 1) and criminal threats (§ 422; count 2). The information also alleged that in the commission of the offenses defendant personally used a firearm (§ 12022.5, subd. (a)) and that defendant was convicted of a prior strike in 2017 (§§ 667, subds. (b)–(i), 664, 211–213, subd. (b)). It further alleged multiple circumstances in aggravation. On January 22, 2025, pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, defendant pleaded guilty to count 2 and admitted the personal-use-of-a- firearm enhancement in exchange for 3–5 years’ probation, including up to 365 days in county jail, a referral to drug court, and suspended sentences of three years on count 2, consecutive to 10 years for the firearm enhancement. The People also agreed to dismiss the remaining count. The preliminary hearing transcript provided the factual basis for the plea. Defendant initialed and signed a felony plea form with explanations and waivers of rights, which included defendant’s acknowledgment that the court may consider the preliminary hearing transcript as proof of the factual basis of defendant’s plea. The trial court confirmed defendant understood the terms of the plea, defendant did not need additional time to speak with his attorney, defendant understood the plea would constitute a second strike that could result in a future life sentence, and that if defendant were not successful on probation he would serve the 13-year suspended sentence. The 2 trial court found defendant knowingly and voluntarily waived his constitutional rights, and it accepted his plea. The preliminary hearing included testimony of a police officer who investigated a report of an individual point