FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION ON GUILTY PLEA

THOMAS D. THALKEN, Magistrate Judge.

On August 28, 2014, defendant Bryan Groene (Groene), together with his counsel, Michael D. Gooch, appeared before the undersigned magistrate judge. Groene was advised of the charges, the penalties and the right to appear before a United States District Judge. After orally consenting to proceed before a magistrate judge, Groene entered a plea of guilty to Count I of the Indictment.

After being sworn, Groene was orally examined by the undersigned magistrate judge in open court as required by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11. Groene also was given the advice required by that Rule. Finally, Groene was given a full opportunity to address the court and ask questions.

Counsel for the government and counsel for Groene were given the opportunity to suggest additional questions by the court. Moreover, both counsel orally certified that they were of the opinion that the pleas were knowing, intelligent, and voluntary, and that there was a factual basis for Groene's plea of guilty to Count I of the Indictment.

Therefore, I find and conclude that: (1) the plea is knowing, intelligent, and voluntary; (2) there is a factual basis for the plea; (3) the provisions of Rule 11 and any other provisions of the law governing the submission of guilty pleas have been complied with; (4) a petition to enter a plea of guilty, on a form approved by the court, was completed by Groene, Groene's counsel and counsel for the government, and such petition was placed in the court file; (5) the plea agreement is in writing and is filed in the court file; (6) there were no other agreements or stipulations other than as contained in the written plea agreement.

IT IS RECOMMENDED TO JUDGE JOHN M. GERRARD that:

1. He accept the guilty plea and find the defendant, Bryan Groene, guilty of the crime set forth in Count I of the Indictment to which Groene tendered a guilty plea;

2. He accept the written plea agreement with the understanding that the court is not bound by the parties' stipulations, but may with the aid of the presentence report, determine the facts relevant to sentencing.

ADMONITION

Pursuant to NECrimR 59.2 any objection to this Findings and Recommendation shall be filed with the Clerk of the Court within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy of this Findings and Recommendation. Failure to timely object may constitute a waiver of any such objection. The brief in support of any objection shall be filed at the time of filing such objection. Failure to file a brief in support of any objection may be deemed an abandonment of the objection.