REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

KELLY K.E. MAHONEY, Chief Magistrate Judge.

On February 14, 2020, the above-named Defendant appeared before the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge by consent (Doc. 33) and, pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, pleaded guilty to Count 1 and 2 of the Indictment (Doc. 3). 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 knowing and voluntary and that each offense pleaded to 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 health issues, use of drugs and alcohol, and current use of medications. From this inquiry, I determined Defendant was not suffering from any mental disability or other issue 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 counsel prior to deciding to plead guilty and that Defendant was satisfied with the representation provided by Defendant's counsel.

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

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. Defendant acknowledged Defendant understood each of these rights and that Defendant would be waiving these rights by pleading guilty.

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

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

I explained to Defendant that the district judge would determine the appropriate sentence at the sentencing hearing. I explained that the Court will use the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines to determine 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 United States Probation Officer would prepare a written presentence investigation report to assist the Court at sentencing and that Defendant and Defendant's counsel would have an opportunity to read the presentence report before the sentencing hearing, and would have the opportunity to object to the contents of the report. I further explained that Defendant and Defendant's counsel would be afforded the opportunity to present evidence and be heard at the sentencing hearing.

I advised Defendant of the consequences of each guilty plea, including the maximum fine, the maximum term of imprisonment, the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment, the term of supervised release, and the possibility that restitution may be ordered. Specifically, I advised Defendant Counts 1 and 2 are each punishable by:

I further advised Defendant that the sentencing judge could order the sentences run concurrently or consecutively.

I advised Defendant that there is no parole in the federal system. I also advised Defendant that the Court will impose a mandatory special assessment of $100.00, on each count, for a total of $200.00, which Defendant must pay. I further advised Defendant of the collateral consequences of pleading guilty.

Defendant acknowledged understanding the consequences and penalties associated with a guilty plea.

I explained that the Court will impose conditions of supervised release, and that if Defendant violates any 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 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 and 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 later withdraw that plea, even if the sentence imposed was different from what Defendant anticipated.

Defendant confirmed that Defendant still wished to plead guilty, and Defendant pleaded guilty to Counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment.

I find the following with respect to each guilty plea:

I explained that the parties have 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.

United States v. Cortez-Hernandez, 673 Fed. App'x 587 (8th Cir. 2016) (per curiam), suggests 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. But see 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(b). 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 14 days after this report and recommendation is filed.