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U.S. v. Fortner, 2:17-cr-243. (2018)

Court: District Court, S.D. Ohio Number: infdco20180611944 Visitors: 8
Filed: Jun. 08, 2018
Latest Update: Jun. 08, 2018
Summary: REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION NORAH McCANN KING , Magistrate Judge . Defendant is charged with one count of attempted coercion or enticement of a minor in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2422(b) (Count 1) and one count of committing that offense while required to register as a sex offender in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2260A (Count 2). Indictment, ECF No. 13. Defendant's motion to dismiss Count 2 was denied, Order, ECF No. 28, and defendant thereafter entered into a plea agreement, executed under t
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REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

Defendant is charged with one count of attempted coercion or enticement of a minor in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b) (Count 1) and one count of committing that offense while required to register as a sex offender in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2260A (Count 2). Indictment, ECF No. 13. Defendant's motion to dismiss Count 2 was denied, Order, ECF No. 28, and defendant thereafter entered into a plea agreement, executed under the provisions of Rule 11(c)(1)(C) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Plea Agreement, ECF No. 30.1 Consistent with the Plea Agreement, defendant's guilty plea to Count 2 is conditional and reserves defendant's right to appeal the denial of his motion to dismiss Count 2 of the Indictment. Id. On June 8, 2018, defendant, accompanied by his counsel, appeared for a change of plea proceeding. Defendant consented, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §636(b)(3), to enter a guilty plea before a Magistrate Judge. See United States v. Cukaj, 2001 WL 1587410 at *1 (6th Cir. 2001)(Magistrate Judge may accept a guilty plea with the express consent of the defendant and where no objection to the report and recommendation is filed). During the plea proceeding, the undersigned observed the appearance and responsiveness of defendant in answering questions. Based on that observation, the undersigned is satisfied that, at the time he entered his guilty pleas, defendant was in full possession of his faculties, was not suffering from any apparent physical or mental illness, and was not under the influence of narcotics or alcohol.

Prior to accepting defendant's pleas, the undersigned addressed defendant personally and in open court and determined his competence to plead. Based on the observations of the undersigned, defendant understands the nature and meaning of the charges in the Indictment and the consequences of his pleas of guilty to those charges. Defendant was also addressed personally and in open court and advised of each of the rights referred to in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Having engaged in the colloquy required by Rule 11, the Court concludes that defendant's pleas are voluntary. Defendant acknowledged that the Plea Agreement signed by him, his attorney and the attorney for the United States and filed on May 29, 2018, represents the only promises made by anyone regarding the charges in the Indictment. Defendant was advised that the District Judge may accept or reject the Plea Agreement. Defendant was further advised that, if the Court refuses to accept the Plea Agreement, defendant will have the opportunity to withdraw his guilty pleas but that, if he does not withdraw his guilty pleas, the District Judge may impose sentences that are more severe than the sentences contemplated in the Plea Agreement, up to the statutory maximums.

Defendant confirmed the accuracy of the statement of facts supporting the charges, which is attached to the Plea Agreement. He confirmed that he is pleading guilty to Counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment because he is in fact guilty of those offenses. The Court concludes that there is a factual basis for the pleas.

The Court concludes that defendant's pleas of guilty to Counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment are knowingly and voluntarily made with understanding of the nature and meaning of the charges and of the consequences of the pleas.

It is therefore RECOMMENDED that defendant's guilty pleas to Counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment be accepted. Decision on acceptance or rejection of the Plea Agreement was deferred for consideration by the District Judge after the preparation of a presentence investigation report.

In accordance with S.D. Ohio Crim. R. 32.1, and as expressly agreed to by defendant through counsel, a written presentence investigation report will be prepared by the United States Probation Office. Defendant will be asked to provide information; defendant's attorney may be present if defendant so wishes. Objections to the presentence report must be made in accordance with the rules of this Court.

If any party seeks review by the District Judge of this Report and Recommendation, that party may, within fourteen (14) days, file and serve on all parties objections to the Report and Recommendation, specifically designating this Report and Recommendation, and the part thereof in question, as well as the basis for objection thereto. 28 U.S.C. §636(b)(1); F.R. Civ. P. 72(b). Response to objections must be filed within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy thereof. F.R. Civ. P. 72(b).

The parties are specifically advised that failure to object to the Report and Recommendation will result in a waiver of the right to de novo review by the District Judge and of the right to appeal the decision of the District Court adopting the Report and Recommendation. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); Smith v. Detroit Federation of Teachers, Local 231 etc., 829 F.2d 1370 (6th Cir. 1987); United States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947 (6th Cir. 1981).

FootNotes


1. The Plea Agreement includes an appellate waiver provision that preserves only certain claims for appeal or collateral challenge, including the right to appeal the denial of his motion to dismiss. Under the Plea Agreement, defendant also agrees to an order of restitution and to the forfeiture provision contained in the Indictment. Defendant also recognizes his obligations under SORNA.
Source:  Leagle

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