Filed: May 03, 2019
Latest Update: May 03, 2019
Summary: REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION MARK A. ROBERTS , Magistrate Judge . On May 1, 2019, 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 Counts 1 and 5 of the Indictment, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 851 and 846 and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime in violation of
Summary: REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION MARK A. ROBERTS , Magistrate Judge . On May 1, 2019, 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 Counts 1 and 5 of the Indictment, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 851 and 846 and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime in violation of 1..
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REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
MARK A. ROBERTS, Magistrate Judge.
On May 1, 2019, 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 Counts 1 and 5 of the Indictment, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 851 and 846 and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). 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 the 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 pleas and adjudge Defendant guilty.
At the commencement of the Rule 11 proceeding, I placed Defendant under oath and 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 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 offenses 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 pleading guilty pursuant to the First Memorandum of a Proposed Plea Agreement between the United States Attorney's Office and Defendant ("the plea agreement"). After confirming that a copy of the written plea agreement was in front of Defendant and Defendant's counsel, I determined that Defendant understood the terms of the plea agreement. I summarized the plea agreement, and made certain Defendant understood its terms.
• Dismissal of Charges
I explained that the plea agreement provides for dismissal of Counts 2, 3, and 4 of the Indictment if Defendant pleads guilty to Counts 1 and 5 of the Indictment, and that a district judge will decide whether or not to accept the sentencing agreement. If the district judge decides to reject the sentencing agreement, then Defendant will have an opportunity to withdraw the guilty plea and instead plead not guilty.
• Elements of Crimes and Factual Basis
I summarized the charges against Defendant and listed the elements of the crimes charged. I determined that Defendant understood each and every element of the crimes, and Defendant's counsel confirmed that Defendant understood each and every element of the crimes charged. For the offenses to which Defendant was pleading guilty, I elicited a full and complete factual basis for all elements of the crimes charged in the Indictment. Defendant's attorney indicated that the offenses to which Defendant was pleading guilty were 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 suggest 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 also explained that because the offenses are subject to mandatory minimum sentences, the sentencing judge cannot sentence Defendant to a sentence below a total of fifteen years in prison on Counts 1 and 5, which includes the statutory mandatory minimums on both counts, even if the judge wants to.
I advised Defendant of the consequences of the guilty plea, including the mandatory minimum sentences, the maximum terms of imprisonment, the maximum terms of supervised release, and the maximum fine. Specifically, I advised Defendant that Count 1 of the Indictment is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and the following maximum/minimum penalties: (1) up to life in prison without the possibility of parole; (2) a period of supervised release following prison of eight years to life; and (3) a fine of not more than $8,000,000. I confirmed with Defendant his understanding of the possible maximum penalties. I also discussed with him that under paragraph 2 of the plea agreement the parties may argue at the time of sentencing whether his prior drug conviction qualifies as a predicate offense for the purpose of 21 U.S.C. Section 851. He acknowledged his understanding that despite what arguments may be made on his behalf, he may face the enhanced penalties. If the conviction does not qualify as a predicate offense under 21 U.S.C. Section 851, the maximum/minimum penalties are: (1) up to forty years in prison without the possibility of parole; (2) a period of supervised release following prison of four years to life; and (3) a fine of not more than $5,000,000.
I also advised Defendant that Count 5 of the Indictment is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, consecutive to any term of imprisonment imposed on Count 1 of the Indictment and the following maximum penalties: (1) up to life in prison without the possibility of parole; (2) a period of supervised release following prison of not more than five years; and (3) a fine of not more than $250,000.
I explained that the Court will impose conditions of supervised release, 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 advised Defendant that regardless of the sentence imposed, there would be no possibility of parole. I also advised Defendant that the Court will impose a mandatory special assessment of $100.00 for each count, which Defendant must pay. I advised Defendant of the collateral consequences of pleading guilty. Defendant acknowledged understanding all of the above consequences.
I also explained that both the Government and Defendant have the right to appeal Defendant's sentence.
Defendant confirmed that the decision to plead guilty was voluntary; was not the result of any promises; and was not the result of anyone threatening, forcing, or pressuring Defendant to plead guilty. I explained that after the district judge accepts Defendant's guilty pleas, Defendant will have no right to withdraw the pleas at a later date, even if the sentence imposed is different from what Defendant anticipated.
Defendant confirmed that Defendant still wished to plead guilty, and Defendant pleaded guilty to Counts 1 and 5 of the Indictment. I find the following with respect to the guilty pleas:
1. Defendant's pleas are voluntary; knowing; not the result of force, threats or promise; and Defendant is fully competent.
2. Defendant is aware of the minimum and maximum punishment for the counts to which Defendant pleaded guilty.
3. Defendant knows of and voluntarily waived Defendant's jury trial rights.
4. There is a factual basis for the pleas.
5. Defendant is guilty of the crimes to which Defendant pleaded 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 pleas 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.
