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U.S. v. Arenas-Aguilar, 18-cr-2046-CJW. (2018)

Court: District Court, N.D. Iowa Number: infdco20181024b05 Visitors: 7
Filed: Oct. 04, 2018
Latest Update: Oct. 04, 2018
Summary: REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION MARK A. ROBERTS , Chief Magistrate Judge . On October 2, 2018, the above-named Defendant appeared before the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge by consent and, pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment. After cautioning and examining Defendant under oath concerning each of the subjects mentioned in Rule 11, I determined that Defendant's decision to plead guilty was knowledgeable and voluntary, and each of
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REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

On October 2, 2018, the above-named Defendant appeared before the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge by consent and, pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment. After cautioning and examining Defendant under oath concerning each of the subjects mentioned in Rule 11, I determined that Defendant's decision to plead guilty was knowledgeable and voluntary, and each offense charged was supported by an independent basis in fact containing each of the essential elements of the offense. I therefore RECOMMEND that the Court ACCEPT Defendant's guilty plea and adjudge Defendant guilty.

At the commencement of the Rule 11 proceeding, I placed both the Interpreter and Defendant under oath. After confirming that Defendant could hear and understand the Interpreter, I explained that if Defendant answered any question falsely, the Government could prosecute Defendant for perjury or for making a false statement. I also advised Defendant that in any such prosecution, the Government could use against Defendant any statements made under oath.

I then asked Defendant a number of questions to ensure Defendant had the requisite mental capacity to enter a plea. I elicited Defendant's full name, age, and extent of education. I also inquired into Defendant's history of mental illness; use of illegal and/or prescription drugs; and use of alcohol. From this inquiry, I determined Defendant was not suffering from any mental disability that would impair Defendant's ability to make a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary guilty plea.

Defendant acknowledged receipt of a copy of the Indictment and further acknowledged that Defendant had fully discussed the Indictment with Defendant's counsel. Defendant acknowledged that Defendant had fully conferred with Defendant's counsel prior to deciding to plead guilty and that Defendant was satisfied with counsel's services.

I fully advised Defendant of all of the rights Defendant would be giving up if Defendant decided to plead guilty, including the following:

1. The right to assistance of counsel at every stage of the case; 2. The right to a speedy, public trial; 3. The right to have the case tried by a jury selected from a cross-section of the community; 4. That Defendant would be presumed innocent, and would be found not guilty unless the Government could prove each and every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt; 5. That Defendant would have the right to see and hear all of the Government's witnesses, and Defendant's attorney would have the right to cross-examine any witnesses called by the Government; 6. That Defendant would have the right to subpoena witnesses to testify at the trial and if Defendant could not afford to pay the costs of bringing these witnesses to court, then the Government would pay those costs; 7. That Defendant would have the privilege against self-incrimination; i.e., Defendant could choose to testify at trial, but need not do so; if Defendant chose not to testify, then the Court would instruct the jury that it could not draw any adverse inference from Defendant's decision not to testify; and 8. That any verdict by the jury would have to be unanimous.

I explained that if Defendant pleaded guilty, Defendant would be giving up all of these rights, there would be no trial, and Defendant would be adjudged guilty just as if Defendant had gone to trial and a jury returned a guilty verdict against Defendant.

Plea Agreement

I determined that Defendant was not pleading guilty pursuant to a plea agreement.

Elements of Charge and Factual Basis

I summarized the charge against Defendant, and listed the elements of the crime charged. I determined that Defendant understood each and every element of the crime, and Defendant's counsel confirmed that Defendant understood each and every element of the crime charged. For the offense to which Defendant was pleading guilty, I elicited a full and complete factual basis for all elements of the crime charged in the Indictment. Defendant's attorney indicated that the offense to which Defendant was pleading guilty was factually supported.

Sentencing

I explained to Defendant that the district judge will determine the appropriate sentence at the sentencing hearing. I explained that the Court will use the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines to calculate Defendant's sentence. I explained that the sentence imposed might be different from what the advisory guidelines suggested it should be, and may be different from what Defendant's attorney had estimated. I explained that a probation officer will prepare a written presentence investigation report and that Defendant and Defendant's counsel will have an opportunity to read the presentence report before the sentencing hearing, and will have the opportunity to object to the contents of the report. I further explained that Defendant and Defendant's counsel will be afforded the opportunity to present evidence and be heard at the sentencing hearing.

I advised Defendant of the consequences of his guilty plea, including the maximum fine, the maximum term of imprisonment, and the maximum term of supervised release. Specifically, I advised Defendant that Count 1 of the Indictment is punishable by a sentence of not more than 2 years in prison without the possibility of parole; a period of supervised release following prison of not more than 1 year; and a fine of up to $250,000. If Defendant was removed subsequent to a conviction for commission of three or more misdemeanors involving drugs, crimes against the person, or both, or a felony, Count 1 of the Indictment is punishable by a sentence of not more than 10 years in prison without the possibility of parole; a period of supervised release following prison of not more than 3 years; and a fine of up to $250,000. If Defendant was removed after a prior conviction for an aggravated felony, Count 1 of the Indictment is punishable by a sentence of not more than 20 years in prison without the possibility of parole; a period of supervised release following prison of not more than 3 years; and a fine of up to $250,000. I advised Defendant that regardless of the sentence imposed, there is no parole in the federal system. I also advised Defendant that the Court will impose a mandatory special assessment of $100.00 for Count 1 of the Indictment, which Defendant must pay. I also advised Defendant of the collateral consequences of pleading guilty. Defendant acknowledged understanding all of the above consequences.

I explained that the Court will impose conditions of supervised release, which will include not reentering the United States, and that if Defendant violates a condition of supervised release, then the Court could revoke Defendant's supervised release and require Defendant to serve all or part of the term of supervised release in prison, without credit for time previously served on supervised release. I also advised Defendant that if he is charged and convicted of another crime in relation to illegal reentry into the United States, the sentence in that case could be ordered to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed in this case if the judge revokes Defendant's supervised release.

I also explained that both Defendant and the Government would have the right to appeal the sentence.

Defendant confirmed that the decision to plead guilty was voluntary; was not the result of any promises; and the decision to plead guilty was not the result of anyone threatening, forcing, or pressuring Defendant to plead guilty. I explained that after the district judge accepted Defendant's guilty plea, Defendant would have no right to withdraw the plea at a later date, even if the sentence imposed was different from what Defendant anticipated.

Removal

I advised Defendant that because Defendant is not a United States citizen, it is likely Defendant will be deported from the United States after serving any prison sentence imposed. I also advised Defendant that this conviction may affect Defendant's ability to ever lawfully reenter the United States.

Defendant confirmed that Defendant still wished to plead guilty, and Defendant pled guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment.

I find the following with respect to the guilty plea:

1. Defendant's plea is voluntary, knowing, not the result of force, threats or promises, and Defendant is fully competent. 2. Defendant is aware of the minimum and maximum punishment. 3. Defendant knows of and voluntarily waived Defendant's jury trial rights. 4. There is a factual basis for the plea. 5. Defendant is guilty of the crime to which Defendant pled guilty.

I explained that the Parties have fourteen (14) days from the filing of this Report and Recommendation to file any objections to my findings, and that if no objections are made, then the district judge may accept Defendant's guilty plea by simply entering a written order doing so. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(b). But see, United States v. Cortez-Hernandez, 673 Fed. App'x 587, 590-91 (8th Cir. 2016) (per curiam) (suggesting that a defendant may have the right to de novo review of a magistrate judge's recommendation to accept a plea of guilty even if no objection is filed). The district court judge will undertake a de novo review of the Report and Recommendation if a written request for such review is filed within fourteen (14) days after this report and recommendation is filed.

Source:  Leagle

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