REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

C. CLIFFORD SHIRLEY, Magistrate Judge.

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b), I conducted a plea hearing in this case on December 19, 2019. At the hearing, defendant moved to withdraw his not guilty plea to the lesser included offense in Count One of the Indictment and entered a plea of guilty to the lesser included offense in Count One, that is, of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B) in exchange for the undertakings made by the government in the written plea agreement. On the basis of the record made at the hearing, I find the defendant is fully capable and competent to enter an informed plea; the plea is made knowingly and with full understanding of each of the rights waived by defendant; the plea is made voluntarily and free from any force, threats, or promises, apart from the promises in the plea agreement; the defendant understands the nature of the charge and penalties provided by law; and the plea has a sufficient basis in fact.

Therefore, I RECOMMEND that defendant's motion to withdraw his not guilty plea to the lesser included offense in Count One of the Indictment be granted, his plea of guilty to the lesser included offense in Count One of the Indictment, that is, of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B) be accepted, the Court adjudicate defendant guilty of the charge in the lesser included offense in Count One of the Indictment, that is, of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B), and a decision on whether to accept the plea agreement be deferred until sentencing. I further RECOMMEND defendant remain in custody until sentencing in this matter. Acceptance of the plea, adjudication of guilt, acceptance of the plea agreement, and imposition of sentence are specifically reserved for the district judge.